As reported in the most recent issue of National Geographic, a team of scientists asked the question, “How can the world double the availability of food while simultaneously cutting the environmental harm caused by agriculture?” This team proposed five steps. (All quotes are from National Geographic.)

1. Stop expanding farmland, especially in the tropics. Though this might seem counterproductive given the increase need for food, “trading tropical forest for farmland is one of the most destructive things we can do.”

 2. If we aren’t going to increase the available farmland, we need to figure out how to grow more food on the land that has already been allocated as farmland. By “using high-tech, precision farming systems, as well as approaches borrowed from organic farming, we could boost yields” in less productive areas such as Africa and Latin America.

3. Use resources more efficiently. By following some of the practices of organic farming (cover crops, mulches, compost), replacing inefficient irrigation systems, and reducing pesticides, the soil stays healthier and is more productive, resulting in a decreased need for watering and petroleum based chemicals.

4. Change what we eat. “Only 55% of the world’s crop calories feed people directly; the rest are used to feed livestock.” By eating more vegetarian based meals and raising animals which graze rather than rely on being fed corn, we use what we grow more efficiently.

5. Reduce waste. This is a shocking and sobering fact; “An estimated 25% of the world’s food calories and up to 50% of total food weight are lost or wasted before they can be consumed. Most of the waste happens inside of homes, supermarkets and restaurants.” If we as consumers plan our meals better, shop wisely, eat our leftovers, and bring home whatever we don’t finish in restaurants, we would make a dent in this statistic. Composting also reduces garbage in landfills by 20-30%.

While many of these initiatives need to be undertaken systemically, all of us can contribute something to protect and care for this earth.