The Environmental Impact of Food Systems

Food systems occupy nearly 40% of Earth's land, with 29% used for animal-related activities. This extensive land use contributes significantly to climate change by driving biodiversity loss, water pollution, and ecosystem degradation. The emissions from agriculture, land use, and the overall food system amount to approximately 22% of global emissions, comparable to those from electricity and industry. Key contributors to these emissions include deforestation, methane from livestock, industrial farming methods, and rice production.