Introduction: The double-edged challenge of our food environment
Recent evidence summarized in a major Frontiers in Science review highlights a critical reality: our changing food environment is fueling both rising obesity and mounting environmental harms. Tackling unsustainable food systems is not just a health issue; it is a climate action imperative. By realigning what, how, and where we eat, societies can deliver meaningful gains for population health and for the planet’s resilience.
Understanding unsustainable food systems
“Unsustainable” in this context refers to food systems that rely on resource-intensive production, promote excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods, and create barriers to healthy choices. Such systems contribute to higher greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water stress, and biodiversity loss, while simultaneously promoting unhealthy dietary patterns. The review emphasizes that the food environment—pricing, marketing, availability, and convenience—shapes daily choices, often steering populations toward less nutritious options.
Health implications: Obesity and diet-related diseases
Diet quality is a leading determinant of non-communicable diseases. The evidence shows that exposure to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods—often aggressively marketed and widely available—drives weight gain and metabolic disorders. Addressing the food environment can shift diets toward fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. In doing so, communities can reduce obesity prevalence, lower rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, and improve overall well-being.
Climate implications: Food systems as a major leverage point
Food production accounts for a substantial share of global greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption. Unsustainable practices—deforestation for agriculture, long supply chains, and energy-intensive processing—exacerbate climate change. Conversely, foods produced with sustainable methods, shorter supply chains, and lower meat reliance can markedly reduce emissions. The review argues that healthy diets and climate goals are not at odds but mutually reinforcing when grounded in evidence-based policies and practices.
Strategies to deliver double benefits
To translate evidence into action, policymakers and practitioners can pursue a host of intersecting strategies:
- Taxes, subsidies, and pricing policies: Align consumer prices with health and environmental costs to discourage unhealthy, high-emission choices while supporting sustainable options.
- Marketing and accessibility reforms: Restrict aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods and improve access to affordable, nutritious foods in all communities.
- Food environment redesign: Increase availability of fresh produce in schools and workplaces, and promote cooking skills and nutrition literacy.
- Sustainable agriculture and supply chains: Encourage regenerative farming, reduced food waste, and transparent supply chains to lower emissions and preserve biodiversity.
- Public awareness and behavior change: Create culturally appropriate messaging that links healthy eating with planetary health, reinforcing sustainable choices as a social norm.
Challenges and opportunities
Implementing these strategies requires cross-sector collaboration, political will, and careful consideration of equity. Lower-income communities often bear the brunt of unhealthy food environments and climate impacts. Policies must be designed to avoid widening disparities, ensuring affordability and access for all while driving meaningful reductions in emissions and improvements in health outcomes.
What success looks like
Success means fewer diet-related illnesses, lower national emissions, and a more resilient food system. It involves measuring progress with metrics that capture both health outcomes (e.g., obesity rates, diet quality) and environmental indicators (e.g., greenhouse gas footprints, land use). A healthy, sustainable food system is one where nutritious choices are easy, affordable, and enjoyable for diverse populations, while the planet benefits from lower waste and cleaner production practices.
Conclusion: Seizing the shared opportunity
The Frontiers in Science review makes a compelling case: by addressing the foods we eat and the environments that shape our choices, we can achieve twin victories for public health and climate stability. The path forward lies in evidence-based, equity-centered policies that transform the food landscape into a force for good—today and for future generations.
