How the world wastes an astonishing amount of food, in three charts

A recent UN report highlights how over a trillion dollars' worth of food is wasted annually, exacerbating climate change and food insecurity globally.

Sam Delgado reports for Vox.

In short:

• The UN's 2024 Food Waste Index found that more than 780 million people were hungry in 2022, despite vast amounts of food being wasted.
• Food waste contributes up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change.
• Solutions to food waste require coordinated efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals alike.

Key quote:

Food waste reduction is "an opportunity to reduce costs and to tackle some of the biggest environmental and social issues of our time: fighting climate change and addressing food insecurity."

— Report authors

Why this matters:

Food waste not only worsens global hunger but also significantly impacts the environment, making it crucial to address this issue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure equitable food distribution. Read more: It is time to respect the planet’s boundaries—and overhaul how we eat and waste food—if we want to feed our rising population.