A diverse, healthy and just food future for Europe in 2100 : A co-creative journey

Abstract

The intricate tapestry of Europe's food system reveals a market-driven landscape where dietary preferences diverge, and organizational patterns vary. These distinctions, while reflecting cultural diversity, also underscore the underlying complexities of the regions' culinary ecosystem. However, a profound challenge emerges beneath the surface that demands urgent attention for diet-related illnesses before consumers' control.At the heart of Europe's food challenges lies a twofold connection: the intrinsic relationship between climate and biodiversity loss, and the direct impact on both the region and its inhabitants. The global phenomenon of climate change and the escalating loss of biodiversity have profound. The implications for Europe's food system. These challenges not only endanger the ecological equilibrium but also pose a direct threat to human well-being. The web of life that sustains our diets is under strain, as shifting climate patterns disrupt the delicate harmony of ecosystems.Delving deeper, we uncover the dilemmas that permeate the existing food systems, leading to adverse consequences that transcend individual choices. Structural obstacles embedded within these systems contribute to diet-related illness, often beyond the control of consumers, resulting in compromised health and overall quality of life (Eng et al., 2020).Addressing these calls for immediate and cohesive action, the formulation and implementation of policies that enable global access to nutritious choices while concurrently minimizing the environmental impact of food production (Lindgren et al., 2018).Central to this transformation is acknowledging the hidden costs within the current trajectory of our food system.Shifting towards sustainable, nature-positive, and inclusive models hinges on recognizing and mitigating these concealed expenses (Gaupp et al., 2021). The inefficiencies plaguing the system's distribution, processing, and services further exacerbate the challenge. The pursuit of nutrition and sustainability goals is compromised by these systemic shortcomings. A crucial realization is that sustainable shifts necessitate not only altered consumer behaviour but also deliberate spatial planning and management strategies (Woodhill et al., 2022). In essence, reformation of food systems is an intricate endeavour, demanding a persistent confrontation of hidden challenges, the advocacy of equitable access to quality nourishment, and the orchestration of purposeful transformations (Marsden & Sonnino, 2012).Europe stands at a crossroads, where its food challenges are not just problems but pathways to a healthier planet and its thriving people. The journey towards change is arduous, but the promise of a harmonious coexistence with nature and an enhanced quality of life advances us forward into a sustainable future.