Sharp surges in energy, fertilizer, and food prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf strikingly illustrate the deep interconnections between geopolitical conflicts, food insecurity and the fragility of fossil fuel-dependent food systems. In this opinion piece on Rural21, CGIAR colleagues Lulseged Tamene, Jonathan Mockshell, and Francisco Hidalgo together with IFPRI’s Ryan Nehring and Wei Zhang call for a shift towards a holistic approach to environmental, social and economic sustainability.
“Food systems can shift to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels while still meeting the needs of a growing global population. In this context, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, nature positive and other complementary solutions offer a holistic approach to environmental, social and economic sustainability, supporting a transition from energy-sink systems to regenerative ones, radically enhancing food system’s resilience in the face of escalating geopolitical instability and environmental vulnerability.”