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Rethinking sustainable land use and nutrition: The role of spatial perspectives
How can the agricultural and food transition succeed in times of global crises?
The article by Bettina König, David Verdugo-Raab, Hanna Pohlmann and Doris Lange in the ARL Journal sheds light on why the transformation of our land and food systems is urgently needed - and how spatial thinking opens up new scope for action.
From progress to sustainability
Although technological advances in agriculture have led to increases in production over the decades, they have also exacerbated negative environmental and health impacts. Millions of people around the world are malnourished, while diet-related diseases are on the rise. The authors show: Our way of using land is jeopardizing climate goals, biodiversity and healthy nutrition - at a social cost that is often invisible but enormous.
Why change is so difficult
The structure of the agricultural and food industry is characterized by competitive pressure, misguided political incentives and deeply rooted self-images. Innovations are slow to emerge and new production and consumption patterns are slow to catch on. Stakeholders often have neither the time nor the means to actively participate in cooperative transformation processes.
Systemic and interdisciplinary solutions
The authors advocate a systemic perspective that takes equal account of ecological, social and economic dimensions. Transformation processes must consider not only technological, but also cultural and organizational changes. There is a particular focus on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research that allows practice and science to work together from the outset.
Space as the key to change
A central argument of the article is that too little attention has so far been paid to spatial perspectives in the discussion about the agricultural and food transition. It is clear that land use takes place in specific geographical, social and climatic contexts. Regional strengths, cultural characteristics and natural conditions must be incorporated more strongly into strategies - be it in the design of value chains, access to healthy food or the protection of cultural landscapes.
Conclusion: New alliances for a sustainable future
The agricultural and food transition needs more than just technical solutions. It needs new alliances between spatial and agricultural sciences, between administration, research and civil society. Only with an integrative, spatial and future-oriented view can the transformation succeed - and reconcile nutrition, the environment and social justice.