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Degrowth as a plausible pathway for food systems transformation
Matthew Gibson1, Daniel Mason-D'Croz2,3, Anna Norberg4
1Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. mfg62@cornell.edu.
Nature Food
|January 3, 2025
Summary
Degrowth offers a path to sustainable food systems by reducing ecological harm and inequality. This study explores integrating degrowth principles into food systems for social and ecological transformation.
Area of Science:
- Food Systems Analysis
- Sustainability Science
- Socio-economic Transformation
Background:
- Food systems face critical challenges demanding transformation for social and ecological sustainability.
- Degrowth presents a radical approach to mitigate environmental impacts and reduce societal inequalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the integration of degrowth principles within food systems.
- To identify potential synergies between degrowth and food system transformation measures.
- To propose practical actions for aligning degrowth and food system agendas.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual exploration of degrowth and food systems.
- Analysis of alignment between degrowth and food system transformation measures.
- Identification of practical integration strategies.
Main Results:
- Degrowth and food systems are currently underexplored in their integration.
- Synergies exist between degrowth's focus on well-being and reduced inequality and sustainable food system goals.
- Practical actions can bridge the gap between degrowth theory and food system implementation.
Conclusions:
- Integrating degrowth offers a valuable lens for achieving social-ecological transformation in food systems.
- A reciprocal perspective is needed to theorize and enact change in both degrowth and food system research and practice.
- Concrete actions are proposed to foster this integration and broaden the scope of transformation.
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