Exploring Solutions to Our Food System Challenges

Please note that Dr. Ramankutty will be presenting remotely. Join us in Bren Hall 1414; there will be no live remote viewing available.

ABSTRACT

Our global food system feeds people and provides livelihoods for many. But it is also one of the biggest causes of global environmental problems. Finding ways to feed 10 billion people in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner remains a major challenge. There is a contentious debate on how this can best be achieved. Some advocate for new technological systems while others argue for agroecology and local food systems. Still others argue that we need to shift to plant-based diets and reduce food waste. In this talk, I will describe the nature of global agriculture today, broadly outline the coupled challenges of food security and environmental sustainability, and explore the benefits and costs of various proposed solutions to address them. 

BIO

Navin Ramankutty is Professor and Canada Research Chair in Data Science for Sustainable Global Food Systems and Director of the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. His current research uses global data and models to explore solutions for sustainable food systems. He has contributed to international scientific assessments including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, IPCC, and IPBES. He is co-chair of the Global Land Programme. He was an Associate Editor of Environmental Research Letters, CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, Global Food Security, Land, and Global Ecology and Biogeography. He is an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow. He was awarded the 2020 Wihuri International Prize.