TED’s Lindsay Levin presents session 3 of the TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
Session 3 of the TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma series It’s not just about what we eat, but also about how we produce it. In four lectures and an interview, speakers explore the science, policy and financing of the transition to sustainably grown crops and meat alternatives.
The event: TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The Future of Food, presented by Lindsay Levin And Nicole Ng
When and where: June 6, 2024 at the TED World Theater in New York City
Speakers: Giles ED Oldroyd, Helianti Hilman, Facundo Etchebehere, Peter Dawe, Berry Marttin, Sarah Lake
The conversations in short:
Giles ED Oldroyd speaks during session 3 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
The soy plant can feed itself excellently through the fungi and bacteria in the roots, says researcher Giles ED Oldroyd. With a little genetic tweaking, he believes it is possible to get grain crops to better utilize these naturally occurring microbes and reduce farmers’ dependence on harmful, inorganic fertilizers that can damage the surrounding environment.
Helianti Hilman speaks during session 3 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
Indonesia has an abundance of heritage crops, yet malnutrition remains a problem, says lawyer and food biodiversity advocate Helianti Hilman. As the founder of Javara, a company dedicated to bringing back forgotten indigenous Indonesian dishes, she emphasizes the importance of policies that promote culinary biodiversity to protect the environment and nourish communities.
Peter Dawe and Facundo Etchebehere speak with TED’s Lindsay Levin during session 3 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
How can major food companies transition to regenerative agriculture? Lindsay Levin from TED sits down with us Facundo Etchebeherethe SVP of sustainability strategy and partnerships at Danone, and Peter Dawethe Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at McCain Foods, to discuss the progress being made in practice and policy – and what is possible for the future.
Berry Marttin speaks during session 3 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
“On a farm, cash is king,” says banker and farmer By BerryMart. He highlights why financial support is so crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially because farmers play a central role in maintaining a healthy planet. Marttin proposes incentives such as carbon credits to encourage farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices that benefit both the land and those who manage it.
Sarah Lake speaks during session 3 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
What we eat is less about what we choose and more about what is offered to us, says food and climate expert Sarah More. She traces how government subsidies have drastically reduced the price of meat, leading to overconsumption and health risks. She suggests applying the same playbook to encourage the consumption of healthier, plant-based foods.
Participants speak at the town hall during Session 3 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, at the TED World Theater in New York City on June 6, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
At the end of the session, attendees were invited to share their reflections on what they heard and suggest topics for further discussion. A number of interesting and important topics were discussed, from the need for various solutions at a local level to the possibilities surrounding insect protein and food waste as food for both humans and animal feed.
