Mobilizing Change: Rooting for Global Food Security

This Earth Day was a unique one. 

Not only were we marking 50 years of advocating for the environment, but we were also tasked with analyzing how we need to take action for the climate in our evolving world. At The GREEN Program, we gathered a group of global change-makers to discuss how we can all mobilize for the environment. In our 4-day Earth Week panel series, we uncovered how these change-makers were making strides for sustainability in organizations, such as NASA, NREL, Arup, Nike, ExxonMobil and more.

Throughout the week, the GREEN community asked ourselves… 

How can we take action for the climate today?

Rooting for Global Food Security

Join us as we rethink how we grow, share, and consume our food, and discuss local and global food security with speakers from Florida Impact, the United States Patent & Trade Office, Grounded Upcycling, and Louisville Food Pantry

A Panel of Global Change-Makers 

Shirbrina Jefferson 

Public Policy Assistant at Florida Impact

David Brynes 

Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office

Parker Reposa

Founder & CEO at Grounded Upcycling

Samantha Hudson

Public Coordination Director at Cardinal Cupboard Food Pantry

The GREEN Team’s Key Takeaways 

1) Social determinants of food insecurity vary in each community

Shirbrina works with Florida Impact and they have a healthy retail project which provides fresh produce and healthy food options in local stores. Every community that she works with has a different challenge, so the approach she and her organization take must differ as well. For example, one barrier may be a lack of transportation while another may be language differences. 
 

2) Improper food labeling influences consumers

With an understanding of technological innovations in agriculture, David urges that society could benefit from a more objective assessment of what is or is not in our food. Non-GMO labeling on products that have no ability to be modified could instill fear in consumers and influences their perception in a way that could further food insecurity.
 

3) Urban agricultural systems and technologies are going to change our food system

Parker founded Grounded Upcycling and is expanding the catalog of which produce is being talked about in the urban agricultural sector. As people move into megacities, we have to think about what is going to feed our population. Traditionally, people associate urban agriculture with small hydroponic systems for leafy greens, but we need to integrate more caloric intensive foods from rural farming systems into urban ones.

Keep an eye out for innovative urban agricultural concepts such as vertical farming. Check out Aero Farms!

4) Universities should play a role in local food security

Samantha reaches out to local organizations and restaurants to host food drives for the local community. She also facilitates communication with the campus population about food accessibility through University of Lousiville’s Cardinal Cupboard Food Pantry. 

How can you take action for the climate?

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After learning from these global change-makers, you may be thinking, “So, what now? How do I get started?”. Here are a few ways you can get started (or continue) to mobilize for the environment:

More Mobilizing Change Panels

Boots on the Ground: Turning Passion into Action

with featured speaker, influencer, activist, and backpacking queen, Pattie Gonia 

Explore how The GREEN Program is fostering a community of global change-makers, including the GREEN Alumni from the above panel, through our short-term education abroad programs! If you would like to get in touch with our team, please reach out here: info@thegreenprogram.com