Tropical fruit. Source: flickr (Bioversity International/B. Sthapit)
On August 8, 2012, Bioversity International and FAO released a new publication that presents the current state of thought on sustainable diets and biodiversity. Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity – Implications for Policies and Programs looks at sustainable diets—those diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations—and biodiversity.
The Director General of Bioversity International, Dr. Emile Frison, called the book “an important milestone” that “makes the much-needed link between agriculture and the environment.” She added that: “Sustainable food systems need good policies based on the best evidence from smallholders, large-scale producers and even at the global level. This book illustrates that imaginative, holistic approaches, that combine disciplines from the natural and social sciences to address the multiple dimensions of malnutrition and sustainability, are possible.”
Based on the Scientific Symposium on Biodiversity and Sustainable Diets: United against Hunger, which was organized by FAO and Bioversity International in 2010, the book sparked the interest of media and stakeholders. The communications strategy, supported by A4NH, enabled the rapid and wide dissemination of the book via various communications channels, including traditional and social media outlets. The book was covered in over 26 media outlets and led to interviews with Voice of America, as well as the Indian and Italian press. Since the release of the publication, several important policy and funding agencies have expressed interest in supporting this work. A number of events scheduled in the next few months will establish for Bioversity a focus area that integrates the policy and program aspects of sustainable diets.
