A 25 % reduction in the amount of food waste produced globally would save the lives of some 795 million malnourished people, and be enough to feed the more than 870 million who suffer from hunger, according to a report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The report highlights the negative effects of food waste, which is not only one of the main causes of food insecurity, but has a harmful impact on climate change and is a consequence and symbol of the inefficiency of global consumption and distribution systems.
On average, developed countries throw away 670 million tons of food a year, while consumers in rich countries throw away between 95 and 115 kilograms of food every year; however, in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, this figure is between six and 11 kg.
Estimates suggest that in order to feed the 9.6 billion people who will inhabit the planet in 2050, food production must increase by 60% more than seen in 2005.
Human beings use around 1.4 billion hectares (30% of existing farm land) to grow food they never consume. The report highlights the misuse of water: we waste more water growing food that we never eat than the amount huge countries such as India or China use in an entire year. (Information from Europa Press)
