Demand-Side Approaches to Improving Global Food Sustainability

Abstract

Humanity faces the grand challenge of doubling its food supply by 2050 while reducing agriculture's already substantial impact on the environment. Supply-side approaches such as sustainable intensification may not be able to achieve this goal alone without significant efforts to reduce food waste and the consumption of animal products. This thesis presents three efforts to learn and educate about these demand-side strategies. To inform policymakers about the state of the science of food loss and waste in the United States, we created a technical issue brief. Using the principles of behavioral economics and psychology as applied to public policy, we transformed the issue brief into an accessible format, online video, to reach ~650,000 viewers. Finally, we conducted exploratory research into the potential of a global carbon tax to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from animal protein today and in 2050, finding little evidence of its efficacy.