NPR

For A Healthier Planet, Eat These 50 Foods, Campaign Urges

Global reliance on just a handful of crops for calories is hurting the environment — and wildlife, a new report says. It urges the world to diversify its diet to save plant and animal species alike.
Just three crops — wheat, corn and rice — make up nearly 60 percent of the plant-based calories in most diets, according to a new report. Above, a farmer inspects a plant in her dry maize field on March 13 in Zimbabwe.

Why would a wildlife conservation organization be involved in a campaign to push people to diversify their diets? As it turns out, the way we humans eat is very much linked to preserving wildlife — and many other issues. This was the topic at a recent conference in Paris where the World Wildlife Fund and Knorr foods teamed up to launch their campaign and report, titled "Future 50 Foods: 50 Foods for Healthier People and a Healthier Planet."

The WWF's David Edwards says that there has been a 60 percent decline in wildlife populations since 1970 and that working to protect animals is no longer enough to save them.

"We have to address the drivers of

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min readInternational Relations
Venezuela Orders The Closure Of Its Embassy In Ecuador
Venezuela's president ordered the closure of his country's embassy in Ecuador in solidarity with Mexico in its protest over a raid by Ecuadorian authorities on the Mexican embassy in Quito.
NPR3 min read
NBA Bans Jontay Porter After Gambling Probe Shows He Shared Information, Bet On Games
The Toronto Raptors player has been banned for life from the NBA after a probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and bet on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose.
NPR3 min read
NPR Editor Uri Berliner Resigns With Blast At New CEO
The senior editor says CEO Katherine Maher has "divisive views" that confirm the issues he wrote about in an essay accusing NPR of losing the public's trust.

Related Books & Audiobooks