SUSTAINABLE DIETS
AND BIODIVERSITY
DIRECTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
FOR POLICY, RESEARCH AND ACTION
This book presents the current state of thought on the common path of sustainable
diets and biodiversity. The papers contained herein address the linkages among
agriculture, health, the environment and food industries.
The alarming pace of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and their negative
impact on poverty and health makes a compelling case for re-examining food
systems and diets. Thus, there is an urgent need todevelop and promote strategies
for sustainable diets, emphasizing the positive role of food biodiversity in human
nutrition and poverty alleviation.
Sustainable Diets are those diets with low environmental impacts which contribute
to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations.
Sustainable diets are protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems,
culturally acceptable, accessible, economically fair and affordable; nutritionally
adequate, safe and healthy; while optimizing natural and human resources.
The contents of this book represent the presentations given at the International
Scientific Symposium on Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets, organized by FAO
and Bioversity International and held at FAO, Rome, from 3 to 5 November 2010.