LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A nutrition and dietetics professor of the State-run Benguet State University (BSU) underscored that the over consumption of goods and services is partly to blame for the worsening effects of climate change that is linked with food insecurity and malnutrition.
In her presentation before the members of the Cordillera Administrative Region Media Educators on Nutrition (CAR-MENU) held at the Rocky Mountain resort in barangay Alno here, Prof. Imelda Degay some of the effects of climate change on food include destructive damages, less productivity, acidic ocean and disruptive food supplies.
Among the leading causes of climate change include power generation, manufacturing, food production, over consumption, deforestation and human activities which are considered the main drivers of the unpredictable weather patterns.
One of the proposed measures to mitigate climate change is the implementation of mandatory recycled contents in PET bottles by 2025 and in beverage containers by 2030 aside from ensuring a safe recycling environment by accelerating the work on the interface aspects between chemicals, waste and product policies.
She added that the global agenda aims to drive the momentum forward for climate action to ensure food, nutrition and livelihood security for all.
Further, some mitigation efforts include the shift to renewable energy by putting up more renewable energy sources, share the road program, breath life campaign, human rights – food, housing, sanitation, health education among others.
According to her, communities without proper access to food, education and livelihood cannot house healthy citizens.
Degay pointed out that climate change could be directly or indirectly linked to food insecurity, malnutrition, poor health, low productivity that translates to overall under development.
She emphasized that the strategies in addressing the aforesaid problem is well defined under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) which include consuming adequate, age-appropriate, nutritious, diverse, affordable, safe and sustainable food.
The BSU nutrition and dietetics professor also urged people to adopt practices and behavior that promote nutrition aside from benefiting from ideal nutrition and related services that are well coordinated, inclusive and integrated.
Degay asserted that people must also be able to exercise their right to adequate food and nourishment resulting from good governance and a supportive policy environment.
PPAN’s desired vision of change is to reduce all forms of malnutrition across all life stages by 2028.
The professor claimed that Filipinos consume and demand for adequate, age-appropriate, nutrient-dense, diverse, affordable, safe and sustainable food.
She emphasized the need for Filipinos to adopt behavior and practices consistent with good health and nutrition apart from their ability to benefit from well-coordinated, inclusive, and integrated quality nutrition and related services while enjoying their right to adequate food and nutrition as a result of better governance and enabling policy environment. By Dexter A. See