Biodiversity impact of food consumption per person

Definition

The extinction rate expected under current food consumption patterns. These biodiversity losses result from the occupation of farmland and the effects of transforming natural ecosystems into farmland. Food consumption is estimated using FAO Food Balance Sheets data as a proxy.

Relevance

Large biodiversity losses associated with dietary choices may signify a higher potential for dietary shifts to preserve biodiversity, which is necessary for the stability of ecosystems and resilience of food production systems.

Additional Information

Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987-992.