LH136 — Hungry for Action: Food, Climate, & Our Future Part 1

Jun 26

In this third episode of our four-part series, Karel and Paige are again joined by Eve Turow-Paul, the founder and executive director of Food for Climate League, as she discusses the relationship between food and climate change and the impactful work of her organization. The global food system is responsible for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, with high rates of meat consumption and food waste being the main culprits. The Food for Climate League aims to empower 100 million people to engage in climate-smart food choices by transforming hearts and minds through narrative and behavioral sciences. The organization collaborates with changemakers in the food system, supports communication efforts, and unites insights to create a sustainable food future.

Quotes from this episode:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” ― Teddy Roosevelt

Arlie Hochschild — coined the term “deep story,” defining it as “the narrative as felt.”

Key Takeaways:

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The global food system accounts for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to high rates of meat consumption and food waste.
Empowerment Goal: Food for Climate League seeks to empower 100 million people to make climate-smart food choices by changing hearts and minds through narrative and behavioral sciences.
Collaboration and Support: The organization works with changemakers in the food system, supports communication efforts, and coalesces insights to foster a sustainable food future.
Narrative Change: Changing the narrative around sustainable food choices is crucial, emphasizing the positives and benefits rather than what is being sacrificed.
Access and Complexity: Access to sustainable food choices is a significant challenge, and addressing the complexity of the food ecosystem and culture is necessary for effective behavior change.