choices of empowerment

Hello. I invite you to listen to my (raw) speech for the FAO, regarding the prioritization and possible solutions to target 2.4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I address a few historical examples in order to further develop solutions to “ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices” (United Nations, Goal 2). I remark particularly on the ability to “choose,” because I realized, throughout my research, that the way I viewed food and agriculture was through a highly privileged lens (Pauly). The issues surrounding food production systems are more complex than “abstaining” from eating meat or fish, especially in the poorer countries of the world (McVeigh). It is important to acknowledge, as well, why so many places still struggle with hunger and poverty to this extent. This form of acknowledgment and consumption may even be considered as a form of partial reparations to the countries that are, systematically, kept poor. The reasons are continuously being ingrained and addressed throughout numerous world trade systems and accounts of colonization, and, my focus, informed consumption. 

(i know the audio is not the best, here's my script):

The powerful and the disempowered both play a role in the ability to choose and to choose better. That is, to choose policies and brands that are better for the environment, its workers, and the health of people. Of the seventeen sustainable development goals, number two addresses the goal to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” (United Nations, Goal 2). With this specific agenda in mind, target 2.4 aims to “ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices” (United Nations, Goal 2). Throughout the process of farm to plate, there are opportunities for better regulations surrounding pollution, workers rights, and other economic and environmental policies. This is a global priority as part of the second SDG initiative, especially since many of the regulatory issues correlate to agendas of other goals like “responsible consumption and production, life on land, life below water, and climate change,” among others (United Nations). Learning to be a knowledgeable and organized consumer is an empowering choice, and can indirectly promote more sustainable food production. 

With a goal as large as ending hunger, the question of production surfaces repeatedly. Specific to target 2.4 is the implementation of food production that limits “air, water, and climate pollution,” and other policies that support “sustainable agriculture” (Union of Concerned Scientists). Prioritizing basic necessities as the population increases is becoming more urgent, especially in a manner that aligns with the other sustainable goals. It is described as “urgently needed in order to sustainably increase agricultural production, improve the global supply chain, decrease food losses and waste, and ensure that all who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition have access to nutritious food” (United Nations, Food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture). In efforts to improve food production, both sustainably and in the consciousness of the impoverished, are opportunities of empowerment for those that lack the freedom of choice, particularly in terms of diet and legislative action (Rio+20 Conference outcome document, the Future We Want, paragraph 14). In correlation to the previous point, “The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation” states that the countries that do have more freedom of choice, or the more developed countries, should be of assistance to the development of policies and should “take the lead.”

The other aspect of target 2.4 is the implementation of “resilient agricultural practices,” (United Nations, Goal 2) which can be seen throughout history, or lack thereof. A common and ancient form of agricultural practice is “mixed/intercropping,” involving a polyculture system of farming (Perroni). This prevents crop failure (particularly of single crops) and promotes “biodiversity,” which minimizes “pests and can also increase soil organic matter and suppress weed growth” (Perroni). A historical example was the Irish potato famine of 1846, categorized by the catastrophes of hunger and a monoculture of potatoes. The devastating impact was specific to Ireland, as potatoes were farmed in other parts of the world too, such as South America, with seemingly no problems. Reiterating the effects of monoculture in farming, Fraser and Rimas also describe the lack of involvement on behalf of the British government, in Empires of Food:

“A scene from George Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman boils with righteous fury at the British government’s apparently genocidal dithering…”

The impact of the potato famine provided conclusive evidence to support the idea that resilient agricultural practices are vital to resilient societies. The issue was not “quite so simple as a shortage of food,” but the system of dependence and farming of a single type of potato (Pollen). The cycle of blight devastated the population while other commodities passed through Ireland, following the money. Preventative measures such as crop rotation and “intercropping” can help farmers and developing communities avoid crop failure and circumstances of famine (Perroni). 

Along with production, is the consumer knowledge and impact surrounding food. While supporting legislative processes and “political actions directed at governments” (Pauly) is important, learning to implement informed consumption is also key. As Liz Allen states in an article about misinformation surrounding sustainable fishing, “sensationalism sells.” This reference, notably, is referring to the use of claims that are more dramatic and shocking, not necessarily accurate. In connection to food, claims like these are remarkably dangerous, and persuasive. Being skeptical and initiating your own research is behavior often categorized by informed consumers. This is not just in relation to personal health, but also sourcing and underlying agendas of possibly our favorite brands. 

The ability to choose, in many circumstances, is a privileged one. For example, there are claims that eliminating fish/seafood consumption can indirectly salvage our oceans from the damages of fishing to ecosystems and the “exploitation of workers” (Greenwood). Claims like these present some reasonable concerns surrounding fishing industries and workers rights, as well as the underlying promotion of veganism and, again, a choice available to the wealthier countries of the world. In poor places consisting of “hundreds of millions of people” that depend on “coastal fisheries” for food, the choice to “abstain from consuming seafood” is unrealistic (McVeigh). 

With this in mind, there are just thirty countries which govern large sums (90 percent) of “the global fish catch” (Pauly). In the circumstances where informed consumption is available and advocacy for improved production regulations presents itself, are opportunities for many of us, especially those I might categorize as “just consumers,” to implement better choices for our environment and the conditions that permit each coffee bean or pound of beef to go from “farm to plate.” A final example of the consumer’s power is the use of striking, more specifically, boycotts. To boycott any given product is to refuse consumption or use. While one person may not appeal to the eyes of a company, hundreds, thousands, or millions definitely can. An informed consumer, or the opportunity to do so, also presents an opportunity to educate others. While this can be difficult in situations of power struggles, the ability to choose is an empowering one. To choose foods and brands that support their workers and the environment is not available to everyone, so, it should not be taken for granted.

Sources:

 

List your sources in MLA format:      

Allen, Liz. “Seaspiracy: A Call To Action Or A Vehicle Of Misinformation?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 14 Apr. 2021, www.forbes.com/sites/allenelizabeth/2021/04/10/seaspiracy-a-call-to-action-or-a-vehicle-of-misinformation/?sh=6b7affbec23a.

“The Botany of Desire.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Apr. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Botany_of_Desire#:~:text=The%20Botany%20of%20Desire%3A%20A,and%20genetically%20engineer%20our%20plants.

Eva Perroni is a freelance researcher-writer and activist who uses food as a window to explore political, et al. “Five Indigenous Farming Practices Enhancing Food Security.” Resilience, 14 Aug. 2017, www.resilience.org/stories/2017-08-14/five-indigenous-farming-practices-enhancing-food-security/.

“Food Security and Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, sdgs.un.org/topics/food-security-and-nutrition-and-sustainable-agriculture.

Fraser, Evan D. G., et al. “Ŭmsik ŭi Cheguk: ŭmsik ŭn ŏttŏk'e munmyŏng ŭi hŭngmang sŏngsoe rŭl Chibae Hae wannŭn'ga = Empires of Food: Feast, Famine, and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations.” Amazon, RHK, 2012, www.amazon.com/Empires-Food-Feast-Famine-Civilizations/dp/B004HHO4G8.

“Goal 2 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, sdgs.un.org/goals/goal2.

Greenwood, Krystal, et al. “Seaspiracy Fact Check: The Inaccuracies and Controversy Explained.” Plastic Collective, 6 Apr. 2021, www.plasticcollective.co/seaspiracy-explained/.

“Information for Integrated Decision-Making and Participation | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, sdgs.un.org/topics/information-integrated-decision-making-and-participation.

Pauly, Daniel. “What Netflix's Seaspiracy Gets Wrong about Fishing, Explained by a Marine Biologist.” Vox, Vox, 13 Apr. 2021, www.vox.com/2021/4/13/22380637/seaspiracy-netflix-fact-check-fishing-ocean-plastic-veganism-vegetarianism.

“Seaspiracy: Netflix Documentary Accused of Misrepresentation by Participants.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 31 Mar. 2021, www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/31/seaspiracy-netflix-documentary-accused-of-misrepresentation-by-participants.

“Sustainable Consumption and Production | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-consumption-and-production.

“What Is Sustainable Agriculture?” Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org/resources/what-sustainable-agriculture.