In some parts of the world, food is still highly valued. In urban areas, however, particularly in the developed world, food waste is becoming a major concern. This essay will examine the causes of this problem and suggest ways that people can curb the amount that they discard.
Two main factors are behind the rise in food waste. The first is the rising incomes of the population, which has meant higher disposable incomes. In other words, whereas 50 years ago, the average family had around $50 per month to spend on food and entertainment, now the figure is more like $2000, and so the idea of buying something and not consuming it is unremarkable. The second factor, liked to the first, is the modern throw-away culture in which all products are treated as disposable. Since it is not uncommon to find valuable household items thrown in the bin, it is also unsurprising to see that half the family’s groceries binned without concern.
Tackling this issue involves altering the public’s mindset. This needs to happen via awareness-raising campaigns. The ABC, for instance, launched one such initiative with the War on Waste TV series and website in 2016, which presented troubling facts on the effects of our consumption and waste. Given the profound impact of this series on the Australian public, it would be worth expanding it on a global scale. In addition to warning people about the environmental impact of food wastage, such projects could also educate them better on practical matters such as shopping smarter and storing food correctly.
In conclusion, unless efforts are made to shift the public consciousness, this problem will only escalate. While governments have a critical role to play, individuals too need to take responsibility for their shopping habits in order to cut down on wasted food.
In
some
parts of the world,
food
is
still
highly
valued. In urban areas,
however
,
particularly
in the developed world,
food
waste
is becoming a major concern. This essay will examine the causes of this problem and suggest ways that
people
can curb the amount that they discard.
Two main factors are behind the rise in
food
waste
. The
first
is the rising incomes of the population, which has meant higher disposable incomes.
In other words
, whereas 50 years ago, the average family had around $50 per month to spend on
food
and entertainment,
now
the figure is more like $2000, and
so
the
idea
of buying something and not consuming it is unremarkable. The second factor, liked to the
first
, is the modern throw-away culture in which all products
are treated
as disposable. Since it is not uncommon to find valuable household items thrown in the bin, it is
also
unsurprising to
see
that half the family’s groceries binned without concern.
Tackling this issue involves altering the public’s mindset. This needs to happen via awareness-raising campaigns. The ABC,
for instance
, launched one such initiative with the War on
Waste
TV series and website in 2016, which presented troubling facts on the effects of our consumption and
waste
.
Given
the profound impact of this series on the Australian public, it would be worth expanding it on a global scale.
In addition
to warning
people
about the environmental impact of
food
wastage, such projects could
also
educate them better on practical matters such as shopping smarter and storing
food
correctly
.
In conclusion
, unless efforts
are made
to shift the public consciousness, this problem will
only
escalate. While
governments
have a critical role to play, individuals too need to take responsibility for their shopping habits in order to
cut
down on wasted
food
.