New Delhi: A recent Living Planet Report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has crowned India as a leader in sustainable food consumption among G20 nations. The findings suggest that if more countries adopted India’s dietary habits, it would substantially lessen environmental damage and help combat climate change by 2050. Following India in sustainability are Indonesia and China, while countries like the United States, Argentina, and Australia stand out for their unsustainable food practices.
The report highlights a growing global concern over excessive consumption, particularly of fats and sugars, contributing to an obesity epidemic. Presently, over 2.5 billion adults are classified as overweight, with around 890 million living with obesity. India’s National Millet Campaign is a critical initiative aimed at reviving the consumption of ancient grains known for their health benefits and resilience to climate change. This campaign emphasizes that promoting traditional foods can significantly shift dietary patterns toward sustainability.
India’s sustainable eating habits
India’s diverse food practices include a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. In the north, foods such as lentils and wheat-based rotis are common, often paired with meat dishes. Similarly, southern India predominantly consumes rice and fermented rice dishes like idli and dosa, served with sambhar and chutney. Meanwhile, fish plays a significant role in the diets of people in the west, east, and northeast regions, alongside age-old millets like jowar, bajra, ragi, and broken wheat, known as Dalia.
The report warns that if global food consumption patterns mirror those of major economies by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions will surpass the 1.5°C climate target by 263%. This alarming scenario would necessitate between one to seven Earths to sustain food production. However, adopting India’s dietary habits could allow the world to meet its food needs with just 0.84 of an Earth, underscoring the potential for India’s model to serve as a blueprint for global sustainability.
The findings urge all nations to rethink their food systems, promoting traditional practices that enhance public health and environmental well-being.
A recent report from the World Wide Fund for Nature highlights India’s food consumption patterns as the most environmentally sustainable among G20 nations. By adopting these practices, the world could significantly reduce its ecological footprint. Fitness Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
