How Climate Change is Threatening Food Security in Sri Lanka: A Look at Food Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Sri Lanka, like many nations, is facing the dual challenge of climate change and food insecurity. The island’s agricultural systems, which are central to its economy and food supply, are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events. However, an often overlooked but significant contributor to these issues is the growing problem of food waste.

Food waste not only exacerbates food insecurity but also intensifies climate change. When food is wasted, the resources used to produce, transport, and store that food—such as water, energy, and labor—are also wasted. In addition, food waste that ends up in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This creates a vicious cycle: as food waste increases, so do greenhouse gas emissions, which, in turn, fuel climate change, further destabilizing agricultural systems and food production.

In Sri Lanka, where agriculture plays a vital role in the economy, the implications of food waste are far-reaching. The country already struggles with limited resources, and inefficient food production and distribution systems result in a significant amount of food being lost or wasted before it even reaches consumers. Poor storage facilities, inadequate transportation infrastructure, and lack of awareness contribute to high levels of food spoilage, especially for perishable items like fruits and vegetables.

Addressing food waste in Sri Lanka could offer a two-fold benefit: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening food security. By improving food storage, transport, and distribution, as well as raising public awareness about food waste, the country can make strides toward a more sustainable and resilient food system. This would not only reduce the environmental footprint of food production but also ensure that more food reaches those in need, alleviating pressure on both agriculture and the environment.

The Food Waste Conundrum

The food waste conundrum is a critical issue that deeply impacts both food security and environmental sustainability. Globally, about 1.3 billion tons of food—nearly a third of all food produced—goes to waste each year, and Sri Lanka, despite being a developing nation, is not immune to this crisis. Food waste in Sri Lanka occurs at multiple stages of the food supply chain, from farms to households. Crops are often lost in the fields due to extreme weather events caused by climate change, while food spoilage during transportation and improper storage further exacerbates the issue. At the consumer level, significant amounts of food are discarded due to over-purchasing or improper meal planning.

This immense loss not only affects food availability but also places a heavy burden on the environment. Wasting food means wasting all the resources that went into producing it, such as water, energy, and labor. In Sri Lanka, where agriculture depends heavily on freshwater resources, food waste translates into a substantial waste of the country’s already scarce water supply. This is particularly alarming as the effects of climate change, such as prolonged droughts and irregular rainfall, are expected to increase water scarcity in the region.

The environmental cost of food waste extends beyond just resource loss. As food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming. In a country like Sri Lanka, where agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change, this creates a harmful cycle—wasted food contributes to climate change, which in turn makes food production more difficult and unpredictable.

Tackling food waste in Sri Lanka requires a multi-faceted approach. Improving agricultural practices, such as better crop management and climate-resilient farming techniques, can reduce losses at the farm level. Strengthening the food supply chain with better storage, refrigeration, and transport systems can prevent spoilage. Additionally, raising public awareness about the importance of reducing food waste at the consumer level is crucial. By addressing food waste, Sri Lanka can not only improve food security but also significantly reduce its environmental impact, making its food systems more resilient in the face of climate change.

Food Waste’s Role in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Food waste and greenhouse gas emissions are closely linked. The production, transportation, and handling of food generate significant carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. However, when food ends up in landfills, the problem worsens. As food decomposes, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO₂. Methane emissions from landfills account for a large portion of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

In the United States, food waste is responsible for 6-8% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Sri Lanka, while smaller, faces similar challenges. In a country already struggling to adapt to the impacts of climate change, the greenhouse gases produced by food waste are accelerating environmental degradation. Agriculture, which accounts for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, is doubly threatened as the very changes it contributes to come back to damage crops through extreme weather and resource depletion. Read here and here

Climate Change’s Impact on Agriculture

Climate change is profoundly affecting agriculture in Sri Lanka, with extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall becoming more frequent and unpredictable. Agriculture, which plays a crucial role in the country’s economy and supports the livelihoods of millions, is highly vulnerable to these disruptions. The unpredictable weather patterns reduce crop yields, damage critical agricultural infrastructure, and destabilize food supply chains. As a result, food production becomes less reliable, threatening both food security and economic stability.

For example, rice, a staple crop in Sri Lanka, is particularly susceptible to erratic rainfall. When the monsoon seasons become irregular or excessive rainfall floods the paddies, entire harvests can be ruined. Similarly, prolonged droughts leave farmers without enough water for irrigation, leading to significant crop losses. This creates a ripple effect: as food production declines, the cost of staples rises, making it harder for low-income households to afford basic necessities.

The cyclical impact of climate change on food availability is compounded by the increased strain on natural resources. As farmers face lower productivity due to climate-induced stresses, they often overexploit resources like land and water to compensate for the losses. This overexploitation can lead to soil degradation, reduced water availability, and loss of biodiversity, making agricultural systems even more fragile and vulnerable to future climate impacts.

To address this, Sri Lanka must invest in climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as drought-tolerant crop varieties, improved irrigation systems, and sustainable farming techniques. By building the capacity of farmers to adapt to changing conditions, the country can reduce the impact of climate change on food production, ensuring a more stable food supply and protecting livelihoods. Furthermore, integrating climate adaptation strategies into national agricultural policies will be essential to safeguarding food security and maintaining economic stability in the face of a warming world.

Read the Environmental Impacts of Food Production here

The Circular Economy: A Solution to Food Waste and Climate Change

A shift toward a circular economy offers a promising solution to both food waste and climate change. In this model, food waste is minimized through smarter agricultural practices, enhanced supply chain management, and better consumer habits. When food waste is unavoidable, composting and other waste management practices can help ensure that less food ends up in landfills, reducing methane emissions.

One of the most critical steps in addressing food waste in Sri Lanka is education. Raising awareness about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste can empower consumers to make better choices. By planning meals, buying only what is needed, and properly storing food, households can significantly reduce waste. Similarly, innovations in technology and infrastructure can help farmers and suppliers minimize losses during production and transportation.

On behalf of the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction on 29 September, Team Europe and the United Nations express their support for a circular food system in Sri Lanka. Read here

Mitigating the Impact

Reducing food waste can be a crucial strategy in addressing both food security and climate change in Sri Lanka. By cutting down on waste, the country could not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also make more food available to those who need it most.

Here are a few steps that Sri Lanka can take to address this issue:

1. Improving Food Storage and Transportation Infrastructure: A significant portion of food waste in Sri Lanka occurs due to poor storage and transportation systems. Strengthening cold chains and improving logistical networks can help reduce spoilage, especially for perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.
2. Promoting Food Waste Awareness: Encouraging consumers to reduce food waste in homes and businesses is essential. Simple actions such as better meal planning, using leftovers creatively, and composting can drastically reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills.
3. Innovative Solutions: Technologies like better inventory management systems, food-sharing apps, and mobile platforms that connect food producers with consumers can reduce waste throughout the supply chain. Moreover, promoting circular economy models, where food by-products are reused rather than discarded, could help lessen the environmental impact.
4. Policy and Legislative Changes: The government could implement stricter regulations on food waste management in the retail and hospitality sectors. Policies that encourage the redistribution of surplus food to those in need could also alleviate food insecurity and reduce waste.

Collective Action to Secure the Future

As Sri Lanka grapples with the dual crises of climate change and food insecurity, addressing food waste should be a national priority. Reducing food waste could not only increase the availability of food but also contribute to climate change mitigation by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the efforts to combat food waste could help make Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector more resilient in the face of future climate challenges.

On September 29, the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction reminds us that global food waste is not just a local problem but a worldwide challenge that requires collective action. Every step, whether small or large, matters in the fight to secure food for the future while tackling the ongoing threat of climate change.

In Sri Lanka, where food security is increasingly under threat, reducing food waste and enhancing agricultural resilience must be at the forefront of climate adaptation strategies. Both consumers and policymakers have a role to play in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s food systems are not only sustainable but also capable of withstanding the challenges of a changing climate.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka is at a critical juncture in its efforts to address food security amid the growing threat of climate change. Reducing food waste is not just an environmental necessity. it’s an economic and social imperative. By working together, Sri Lanka can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change while ensuring that its people have access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food for generations to come.

References: 

https://www.unep.org/events/un-day/international-day-awareness-food-loss-and-waste-2024

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/01/24/food-waste-and-its-links-greenhouse-gases-and-climate-change

https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food

https://www.fao.org/platform-food-loss-waste/in-action/projects/project-detail/circular-economy-in-the-food-sector-(circular)—transformation

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day

Images/ Video:

Banner image: Denise Nys on Pexels

https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6392/987