Here’s a staggering reality: while one in ten people globally teeter on the edge of hunger, a staggering two billion are overweight or obese. Add to that the fact that we waste roughly one-third of all food produced, and that agriculture pumps out about one-third of global greenhouse gases, and it’s clear our food systems are in crisis. But what if we could transform these systems to nourish both people and the planet? That’s the bold vision driving a groundbreaking special issue of The Lancet Planetary Health, published on November 3 and spearheaded by five members of Cornell’s Food Systems and Global Change (FSGC) group, led by Professor Mario Herrero.
This isn’t just another academic publication—it’s a call to action. As Herrero puts it, ‘This special issue is a significant leap forward in understanding how to reshape our food systems for a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.’ It highlights the urgent need for multi-faceted solutions that tackle environmental, health, and social justice issues simultaneously.
But here’s where it gets controversial: how do we balance reducing emissions, preserving land and water, ensuring affordable access to healthy food, and paying farmers fairly? ‘It’s like squeezing a water balloon,’ explains Daniel Mason-D’Croz, a senior research associate at Cornell. ‘Press down on one problem, and another pops up.’ This interconnectedness means we can’t afford to tackle these challenges in isolation. Instead, we need holistic, bundled solutions that address the entire system.
Take, for example, the push for healthier diets aligned with the EAT-Lancet recommendations. While these diets offer clear health and environmental benefits, they also come with a hidden challenge: fresh fruits and vegetables are more perishable than processed foods, potentially leading to increased food waste. ‘It’s a delicate balance,’ notes Marina Sundiang, a postdoctoral associate who led one of the papers. ‘We need smarter strategies—like better storage practices, composting initiatives, and consumer education—to ensure these diets don’t backfire.’
The special issue doesn’t just diagnose problems; it offers actionable solutions for everyone involved. For consumers, it recommends diets rich in fruits and vegetables and moderate in animal products. Producers are urged to boost productivity and embrace circular practices, such as nutrient recycling. Governments, meanwhile, must invest in long-term research to develop resource-efficient farming methods.
And this is the part most people miss: the issue isn’t just about data—it’s about sparking collaboration. ‘We’ve brought together over a hundred researchers and a dozen cutting-edge models, but there’s still so much to uncover,’ says Matthew Gibson, a postdoctoral associate at FSGC. ‘How do we transform these systems at the speed and scale required? Time is running out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.’
Contributors from institutions like Wageningen University, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the International Food Policy Research Institute add global perspectives to this urgent conversation. Funded by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and others, this work is a testament to what’s possible when we unite across disciplines and borders.
So, here’s the question: Can we truly overhaul our food systems to feed the world without destroying it? The answers won’t be easy, but this special issue proves one thing: the conversation is just getting started. What’s your take? Do you think these solutions are feasible, or are we missing something critical? Let’s debate it in the comments!
