United Nations Vows To Cut World's Food Waste In Half By 2030

According to the USDA, Americans waste one-third of the food we grow, and although that statistic is alarming, it's only one piece of the food waste problem worldwide. Last week, the United Nation announced at its Sustainable Development Summit the intention of 193 member countries to reduce food waste by one-half by the year 2030.The lofty goal, which is part of a series of solutions to address climate change and social issues, mirrors the United States' vow to reduce food waste in the next 15 years, as announced by President Obama last week.

Other elements covered by the UN summit include plans to end poverty and hunger, guarantee food security and improved nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, promote wellbeing for all at all ages, and ensure clean, sustainable energy for future generations.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, if global food loss and waste were a country, it would have the world's largest greenhouse gas footprint after the United States and China.

"Too many people around the world are going hungry for us to be throwing away as much as we do," said Dana Gunders, staff scientist at the NRDC. "World resources — from water to land and energy — are too scarce to squander them on growing and transporting food that will never be eaten. To meet this ambitious new goal, we need everyone who grows, serves and eats food to do their part to ensure a steady global food supply into the future."