Home fires are America’s #1 disaster threat. Home fires occur every 90 seconds and take more lives than earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined.

United States Fire Administration

STUDY HOME FIRES

“The first step is to study the problem of home fires. To get started, review the eight leading causes of home fires and eight strategies to mitigate injuries and fatalities.”

Studious Cat

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

FIRE IS EVERYONE’S FIGHT™

IMPORTANCE OF CAUSATION

Causation is the relationship between a cause, such as careless cooking, and an effect, like a stove fire.

IMPORTANCE OF MITIGATION

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of a disaster, such as a home fire, America’s #1 disaster threat.

LEADING CAUSES OF HOME FIRES

Cooking is a fun way to showcase your creativity and love of food, but it also is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the primary culprit, and two-thirds of cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. More than half of injuries occur when people try to fight the fires themselves.

Heating provides much needed warmth during the winter months, but December and January have the highest number of home fires.  The leading cause of heating fires is the failure to clean heating equipment. Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, cause 33% of home heating fires and 81% of home heating fire fatalities.

The intentional category refers to the deliberate misuse of a heat source or fire of an incendiary nature.  Although three-quarters of intentional fires are started outside, they quickly spread to homes where most of the property damage and casualties occur. Statistics from the FBI show that more than half of people arrested for arson are under 21 years old. Social media trends like the fire challenge are especially dangerous and overwhelmingly affect youth.

Electricity keeps our homes lit and powers our electronics, but lighting, fans, air conditioning equipment, and water heaters commonly cause home fires.  Roughly half of home electrical fires involve electrical distribution (i.e., cords) or lighting equipment.

The health risks associated with smoking are well known, but smoking is also the leading cause of home fire fatalities. Nearly half of the victims are age 65 or older. Approximately 25% of the victims were not even smoking the cigarette that caused the fire.  Trash, mattresses, bedding, and upholstered furniture are the items most commonly ignited in smoking-related home fires.

Washers and dryers keep our clothes clean, but also can spark home fires. Dryers are involved in 92% of these fires and the leading cause is failure to clean the units. Dust, fiber, lint, or clothing ignites 57% of washer and dryer fires.

Exposure occurs when a nearby fire, like a wildfire, causes a home to catch fire.  Prevention and preparedness are the best tools against exposure fires.

Candles are festive holiday decorations, but the number of candle fires triples in December. Roughly one-third of candle home fires start in a bedroom. Falling asleep accounts for 11% of candle fires and 43% of candle fire fatalities.

HOME FIRE MITIGATION EFFORTS

Prevention is the act or combination of actions to proactively keep something from happening. Fire prevention is a combination of efforts designed to stop fires from starting or spreading.

Detection is the action or process of identifying the presence of something concealed or unknown.  Smoke alarms detect one or more of the products or phenomena resulting from fire, such as smoke, heat, infrared and/or ultraviolet light radiation, or gas.

Suppression is the process of impeding or stopping something. Fire suppression systems, such as fire sprinklers, extinguish or slow down the spread of fire by releasing water under pressure where heat is detected.

Protection is a person or thing that prevents someone or something from suffering harm or injury. Fire protection includes equipment, such as a flame retardant blanket, and design elements, such as a fire door, that reduces the spread of fire.

Preparedness is the state of being ready in the event of a disaster.  Fire preparedness includes installing a smoke alarm in each room and on each level of a home, developing a fire escape plan and practicing it, as well as knowing two ways out of every room.

Education is the process of learning or teaching skills, values, beliefs, and habits.  Fire education includes becoming aware of causes of home fires and how to prevent or reduce home fire injuries or fatalities.

Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions.  Fire research includes the review and analysis of the causes and contributing factors to home fires to raise awareness of the home fire problem.

Development includes the innovation, introduction, and improvement of products and processes.  Many companies and product manufacturers are developing new and improved appliances to prevent home fires.

OBSERVE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO HELP

After you learn about America’s #1 disaster threat, check out current prevention, preparation, detection, and suppression efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities from home fires. To get you started, below are some examples of home fire videos, posters, inventions, messages, and websites.

Observant Mouse

Co-Presenter Six Steps To Solve Any Challenge

VIDEOS

FIRE IS EVERYONE’S FIGHT™

"Fire is Everyone's Fight" is designed to unite the fire service and many others in a collaborative effort to reduce home fire injuries, deaths, and property loss.

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NATURAL AND HUMAN CAUSES

This National Geographic video explains various causes of fires.

 

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GET LOW AND GO

This NFPA video explains how to escape a home during a fire by staying under the smoke.

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HOW TO PREVENT A HOME FIRE

Learn about fire prevention and evacuation with these 8 tips from the American Red Cross.

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FIRE IS EVERYONE’S FIGHT™

FIREFIGHTER BRAVERY

Madeline S., Age 14, North Carolina.

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SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE

This NFPA message raises awareness about space heater safety.

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Websites

United States Fire Administration

The USFA provides national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness and response.

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National Fire Protection Association

The NFPA s a global nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.

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Inventions

HOME SPRINKLER SYSTEM

In the 15th century, Leonardo DaVinci invented the first sprinkler system. Today, fine water mist sprinklers are used to absorb heat, reduce temperature, and suffocate fire.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

In 1723, Ambrose Godfrey patented the first fire extinguisher. Today, researchers are testing sound waves to separate burning fuel from oxygen.

FIRE LADDER

In 1878, Joseph Winters patented the fire escape ladder. Today, home fire ladders help individuals escape from fires in multi-level homes.

SMOKE ALARMS

In 1902, George Andrew Darby patented the first electrical heat and smoke detector. Today, smoke alarms can detect heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide.

COOKING FIRE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGY

In 1984, Ralph G. Nashawaty invented a stove system that turns off the burner when a pan or kettle is removed. Today, stove systems can automatically shut off if high temperatures or no movement is detected.

FIRE MITT

In 2016, Emma and Scott invented the Fire Mitt to suppress cooking fires and won The Paradigm Challenge Grand Prize.

PUBLIC MESSAGES

This National Fire Protection Association message is a reminder to test smoke alarms on a monthly basis as well as a warning that smoke alarms have a shelf life of 10 years, after which they should be replaced.

This United States Fire Administration message emphasizes smoke alarms save lives. The focus of this campaign is to encourage homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms and sprinklers.

This fire safety message is a reminder to stay alert and remain in the kitchen when heating or cooking food. 

This message is an effort to make sure every family has an escape plan with two ways out of every room and two ways out of their home. 

This message is an instruction that smoke rises during a fire so get low and go when escaping fire to stay below the heat and poisonous smoke.

This message instructs that once you escape a fire you must stay outside where it is safe and not return inside the building.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Sound the Alarm is a series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events across the country. Together with fire departments and other community partners, Red Cross volunteers: canvass at-risk neighborhoods; install free smoke alarms; replace batteries in existing alarms; and provide fire prevention and safety education.

National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States and Canada during the week in which October 9th falls.  Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored Fire Prevention Week as an annual week-long event designed to raise awareness about a specific fire safety theme.

Phoenix World Burn Congress is the world's largest gathering of the burn community, connecting attendees with support, resources, and each other. For many, it is the first chance to connect with others on the journey of recovery from a burn injury.

Safety Town is a nationwide program designed to teach children safety tips, including fire prevention.

This UL Fire Safety Research Institute campaign stresses the importance of keeping doors closed during the night to decrease heat and CO levels in the event of a house fire.

The Boy Scouts of America award the Fire Safety Merit Badge to Scouts that learn how to use fire safely and responsibly, how to prevent home fires, and how to handle fire safely, as well as burn prevention, and camping safety.

“Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations. ”

Environmental Protection Association

STUDY WASTE

“The first step is to study the problem of waste. To get started, review the eight common types of waste and eight current strategies to preserve, protect, or restore the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, or wildlife.”

Studious Cat

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

WASTE SOURCES AND CONSERVATION

CONSEQUENCES OF WASTE

Waste causes massive harm to our planet, including increased landfills, pollution, depletion of natural resources, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and depletion of the ozone layer.

BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION

Conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, or wildlife.

COMMON TYPES OF WASTE

More than $1,000,000,000,000 (that’s a trillion dollars!) worth of food is wasted every year. Food makes up 20% of landfill weight and is the single largest source of household waste. The methane gas released by wasted food is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

The average family of four in America uses 400 gallons of water each day and more than 95% of the water that enters the home goes down the drain. Each day, more than 7 billion gallons of fresh water is used for residential landscaping (in the U.S. alone) and 50% of that is lost to evaporation or runoff.

More than 57% of the energy in the U.S. is wasted through heat and leaks because of inefficient technology. The wasted energy includes oil, coal, natural gas, and renewables.

Each year, more than 3.4 billion pounds of electronics in the U.S. are sent to landfills or are incinerated. This includes computers, televisions, and other electronics. This E-waste contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and lithium.

More than 50% of the Earth’s forests have been cut down for fuel, building materials, and farming. Deforestation causes loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and other significant environmental issues.

Hazardous waste arises from a wide range of different sources including households, commercial activities, and industry. Hazardous waste includes paint, oil, pesticides, and medical waste and can poison rivers, lakes, and oceans. Hazardous waste can also pollute drinking water and cause contamination and health risks.

Most packaging waste is not biodegradable and can last for decades in landfills, which can lead to polluted soil and drinking water. Packaging includes glass bottles, plastic containers, aluminum cans, food wrappers, timber pallets, drums, and any other materials that contain or protect goods when they are transported. Packaging waste can arise from a wide range of sources including supermarkets, retail outlets, manufacturing industries, households, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and shipping companies.

Discarded cars and tires contain hazardous substances including antifreeze, brake fluid, oils, and rubber. These materials release toxins that pollute water, air, and soil.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Waste prevention is the process of using less material or products in the first place—before recycling.

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects.

Preservation is the process of protecting nature from use or overuse.

Protection is the effort to conserve nature, including resources, ecosystems, and wildlife either voluntarily or through governmental regulation.

Education includes raising awareness of the problem of waste as well as teaching others how to reduce waste.

Upcyling is the process of reusing and transforming discarded objects or material for new uses.

Zero Waste is a movement that seeks to send no waste to landfills by reducing waste, reusing products and materials, and recycling what cannot be reused.

Water reclamation is the process of converting wastewater into water that can be reused for other purposes, such as irrigation for farming and even drinking water.

OBSERVE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO HELP

“After you learn about the problem of waste and how it impacts everyone, check out current efforts to reduce waste and protect the environment.To get you started, below are some examples of videos, posters, websites, inventions, public messages, and community events and educational programs.”

Observant Mouse

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

VIDEOS

THE STORY OF REUSE

This EPA video explains that what you're throwing away is valuable, not trash.

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FIX A LEAK WITH WATERSENSE!

This EPA video reminds you of the steps you can take to check, twist, and replace as you save water for yourself and your community.

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REDUCE WASTED FOOD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

This EPA video shares steps to cut down your food waste.

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REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE: THE 3 R SONG

Students of Sunset Beach Elementary sing Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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POSTERS

TRASH ART: REUSED BOTTLE CAP MURAL

Caron W, David W, and Allenby L, United States

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WE CAN ALL PLAY OUR PART TO CONSERVE

Kandra L, Grade 9, Brooklyn

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Websites

CLIMATEKIDS.NASA.GOV

This website provides answers from NASA to the big questions of what’s happening to our oceans, atmosphere, and ecosystems.

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SAVETHEFOOD.COM

This website helps people understand how 40% of food in the United States is wasted.

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INVENTIONS

COMPOSTING

For thousands of years civilizations have composted manure, food waste, ash, and other organic material for farming. Today, worms are used to help compost.

RECYCLED PAPER

Japan is the first recorded country to reuse paper. Today, paper is re-pulped into new paper-based materials.

DESALINATION

Aristotle and other ancient Greeks discovered seawater could be distilled and filtered into drinking water. Today, desalination creates drinking water around the world.

SOLAR ENERGY

In 1839, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, which explains how sunlight can generate electricity. Today, solar energy powers heating, cooling, cooking, and other electric needs.

ELECTRIC CAR

In the early 1800s, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson developed the first electric carriage powered by non-rechargeable cells. Today, more than 1 million electric vehicles are in use.

SHAMPOO BALLS

In 2017, Benjamin developed NOHBO balls to replace plastic shampoo bottles and won The Paradigm Challenge Grand Prize.

PUBLIC MESSAGES

Almost everything we use on a daily basis can be reused, reduced, or recycled. This campaign reminds us to do just that.

In the 19th century, author Henry David Thoreau wrote about living a “green” life in The Maine Woods in his call for conservation, forest preservation, and respect for nature. Today, the Go Green message reminds everyone to be environmentally conscious.

This call-to-action encourages individuals and organizations to help save energy and protect the environment through energy-efficient lighting.

This Greenpeace message communicates that our actions and waste have consequences for our environment, especially the ocean, which is a fragile ecosystem.

This message encourages motel and hotel guests to re-use their sheets and towels.

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 in more than 193 countries around the world. The Make Everyday Earth Day message reminds us to protect our planet throughout the year.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The EPA’s FTGTW program consists of an implementation guide and toolkit that aim to reduce wasteful household food management practices. The guide teaches local governments and community organizations how to implement a Food: Too Good To Waste campaign in their community using the toolkit.

Through the Sierra Club’s Seize The Grid campaign, young people across the country will create the demand and the vision for local clean energy opportunities that work for their campuses, communities, and states.

This initiative is all about helping schools create a campus-wide culture of conservation.

The World Bank Group, in partnership with the Office of United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, established this summit to empower youth to promote their ideas on the environment.

Youth are engaged as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.

Community recycling/collection programs help keep waste out of landfills and provide residents, businesses, and other community members an opportunity to safely and responsibly recycle waste that may be difficult to dispose of through regular trash collections.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

The World Health Organization

LEARN ABOUT PERSONAL HEALTH

The first step is to study wellness and healing. To get started, review the eight dimensions of wellness and eight common healing needs around the world.

Studious Cat

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

WELLNESS & HEALING ARE GOOD FOR EVERYONE

IMPORTANCE OF WELLNESS

Wellness is the process of becoming aware of and making conscious choices toward a balanced and healthy life.

Importance of Healing

Healing is the process of making or becoming healthy again through natural, medicinal, or other intervention.

DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS

Social wellness is the process of creating and maintaining healthy relationships and contributing to your community.

Physical wellness is the process of engaging in physical activity on a daily basis.

Emotional wellness is the process of creating and maintaining a positive balance and enthusiasm about life.

Career wellness is the process of making and maintaining choices that are meaningful and that contribute to personal growth and work satisfaction.

Intellectual wellness is the process of expanding personal knowledge and skills by learning new ideas, seeking out new information, and sharing them with others.

Environmental wellness is the process of taking responsibility for the environment and creating sustainable human and ecological communities, as well as improving the quality of air, water, land, and space.

Spiritual wellness is the process of seeking meaning and purpose in human existence and establishing peace and harmony in our lives.

Financial wellness is the process of understanding your financial situation and effectively managing your income and your expenses.

COMMON HEALING NEEDS AROUND THE WORLD

Heart disease (sometimes called cardiovascular disease) describes a range of conditions that affect the heart, including blood vessel diseases, rhythm problems (arrhythmias), and congenital disorder (condition existing at or before birth). Many of the leading risk factors for heart disease are preventable, including tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, insufficient exercise, excessive alcohol, and high blood pressure.

Obesity means an excess amount of body fat (usually measured by a person's weight in relation to his or her height). The primary cause for obesity is the consumption of more calories than one burns through exercise and daily activities. Less frequently, obesity is caused by medical diseases or conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Cushing's syndrome. Obesity increases the risk for many other serious diseases and health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Cancer refers to a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal tissue throughout the body. Common causes of cancer include smoking and tobacco, obesity and lack of exercise, excessive alcohol, sun and other types of radiation, viruses and other infections, carcinogens, chronic inflammation, and genetic pre-disposition.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Types of strokes include blood clots (ischemic stroke), temporary blood clots (transient ischemic attacks), and bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The leading causes of stroke include high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose (or blood sugar) is too high either because insulin production is inadequate (Type 1) or the body does not properly use the insulin it produces (Type 2). Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, and damage to eyes, kidneys, and nerves. The leading causes of diabetes include genetics, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. Doctors currently do not yet know exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease, but some believe that it is a combination of environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors.

Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites and can directly or indirectly spread between individuals. Examples of infectious diseases include malaria (a disease spread by insects), tuberculosis (a disease spread through the air), and salmonella (a foodborne illness).

Access to personal health services impacts wellness and healing. Each person's access depends on individual decisions, the environment, geography, education, income, genetics, and social factors.

OBSERVE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO HELP

“After you learn about wellness and healing, observe current efforts to improve personal health. Below are some examples of videos, posters, websites, inventions, public messages, and community events and educational programs.”

Observant Mouse

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0Jp42VU-E

DIABETES

This World Health Organization video identifies the steps to help beat diabetes.

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Meditation

This Scientific American video explains that meditation can positively change the brain.

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Stress

This TED-Ed video explains what happens to the body when it continuously experiences stress.

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Antibiotic Resistance

This TED-Ed video explains how harmful bacteria can mutate and resist medicine.

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POSTERS

WELLNESS

By Jeremy P., Grade 4, New York

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HEALING

By Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Websites

World Health Organization

This website provides health updates and information from around the world.

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CDC

This website provides information to protect against health, safety, and security threats.

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INVENTIONS

EYEGLASSES

Rounded glass and colored gems were used in ancient Rome to read and block the sun. Salvino D'Armate is often credited as creating the first eyeglasses for reading in about 1286. Today, eyeglasses like Google Glass are used to improve medical services.

Syringe

Francis Rynd developed the first syringe with a hollow needle in 1844 to deliver fluids intravenously in the body. Today, “smart syringes” are used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to enhance safety.

X-Rays

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered x-rays in 1895, which quickly advanced medical technology. Today, x-rays have been improved to show soft tissues — including all of the body’s major organ systems.

Band Aid

The Band-Aid was invented in 1920 by Thomas Anderson and Earle Dickson as an easy way to cover cuts and burns. Today, Band Aids have been improved with breathable material that flexes with you and stays on even when wet.

Wearable Fitness Technology

Edward Price and Lewis Rasmussen invented the wearable heart rate monitor in 1980 as a way to easily measure heart rate while mobile.

TETHYS

In 2018, Gitanjali invented a device that tests for lead contamination in water and won The Paradigm Challenge Grand Prize.

PUBLIC MESSAGES

The “Cover Your Cough” message campaign urges you to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or, if you don't have a tissue, to cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Covering your cough will stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick.

The “Know Your Numbers” message reminds you to focus on the key markers of heart health, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. By keeping those numbers within a healthy range, you can greatly improve your heart health and reduce your risk for heart disease.

The “Be Tobacco Free” campaign seeks to reduce the number of people at risk of tobacco-related illnesses and second-hand smoke. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and tobacco is a primary cause of preventable illness and death.

The “FAST” public message campaign provides a helpful way to remember the signs of a stroke and the importance of immediate medical attention. The FAST acronym stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Slurred speech, and Time to call for help.

The “Commit To Be Fit” message challenges individuals to adopt healthy habits by engaging in physical activity and eating nutritious foods on a daily basis.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist and poet, wrote in 1860 that, “The first wealth is health,” meaning that good health can lead to economic prosperity. The phrase is now commonly repeated as “health is wealth,” associating good health with financial wellness.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

MyPlate illustrates the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet using an image of a meal place setting which is divided as follows: approximately 30% grains, 40% vegetables, 10% fruits and 20% protein, along with a smaller circle representing dairy, such as a glass of milk or a yogurt cup.

The NFL PLAY 60 Challenge is a four-week program that inspires kids to get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day in school and at home. The American Heart Association and the National Football League teamed up to create the NFL PLAY 60 Challenge.

The 4-H Healthy Living programs focus on nutrition, childhood obesity, drug awareness, bullying prevention, health and fitness, safety, stress management, and food science. These programs help 4-H youth learn about living a healthy lifestyle through fun, hands-on activities and projects that are available through schools, 4-H clubs, and camps.

Get Outdoors Day is a program that encourages individuals, especially youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives and embrace parks, forests, refuges, and other public lands and waters. Get Outdoors Day was created by the United States Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition.

The UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to raise awareness and funding to prevent the spread of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa by sending nets to at-risk individuals and families.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) expand access to health services in underserved communities, especially during emergencies. The IFRC is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies.

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

STUDY FOOD

“The first step is to study our food system. To get started, review the eight elements of our current food system and eight current strategies to improve food security.”

Studious Cat

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

EVERYONE IS PART OF THE FOOD SYSTEM

CURRENT FOOD SYSTEM

Our traditional food system maximizes food growth at the lowest possible cost, but does not yet provide access to safe, nutritious, and sustainable food for everyone.

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS

Strategic improvements can ensure that all people, at all times, have the physical, social, and economic ability to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

ELEMENTS OF CURRENT FOOD SYSTEM

The goal of traditional food growth is to produce the highest crop yield at the lowest monetary cost.  Unfortunately, traditional agriculture often requires a significant amount of chemicals and energy. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, traditional food growth alters the natural environment, deteriorates soil quality, and eliminates biodiversity.

Processed food is any food that has been altered in some way during preparation. Examples include bread, cereals, sodas, meat, and cheese.  Although not all processed foods are unhealthy, some contain high levels of salt, sugar, and fat, which enhance the visual appeal of the food and allow for a longer shelf life.  These and other processing additives can negatively impact your health.

Some methods of food preservation are known to create carcinogens. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization classified processed meat, i.e., meat that has undergone salting, curing, fermenting, and smoking, as carcinogenic to humans.

Food packaging is designed to contain, protect, and display food contents.  Some types of packaging materials are non-biodegradable, such as styrofoam and plastics, and can overflow landfills. Other types of food packaging contain chemicals such as BPAs (bisphenol A) that may be harmful to our health.

Food is transported around the world in order to meet global demand.  Food transportation requires oil and other fossil fuels and is estimated to account for nearly 50% of carbon emissions, which contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.

People need physical, social, and economic access to safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences.

Improper handling can spread harmful bacteria that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.

Food consumption includes the types of food we eat, how much we eat, and the quality of what we eat. What we eat may be determined by availability, taste, and other factors, such as allergies.  How much we eat may be determined by factors such as availability, cost, and behavior. The quality of what we eat may be determined by how our foods are grown and prepared.

Approximately 30% of global food production is wasted. This includes food that is disposed where it is grown because it does not meet visual retail standards, food that is disposed based on age, and food that is disposed simply because too much was placed on one’s plate.

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY

Sustainable agriculture benefits the environment by maintaining soil quality, reducing soil degradation and erosion, and saving water. Many conventional farms rely on chemical fertilizers to enhance the soil’s nutrients, but sustainable practices utilize crop rotations and natural animal manure to keep the soil healthy.

Food treated with antibiotics and pesticides can cause health problems.  Organic farmers do not use antibiotics or synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and produce.  

Reduced processing includes minimizing the use of artificial preservatives and chemicals and using natural techniques such as canning, freezing, and drying.  Alternative food processing techniques include the use of technology, including thermal and non-thermal methods.

Lightweighting is the process of redesigning product packaging to use less material or more sustainable material.

Buying locally-grown food dramatically shortens the amount of travel and energy needed to get from the farm to one’s plate. Community-supported agriculture, commonly referred to as a CSA model, is a growing social movement that connects the producer and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing consumers to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms.

Safe food handling includes proper food preparation, cooking, and storage.

Food access is about more than just whether there are grocery stores in a community. It also has to do with whether households can afford to purchase food—and affordability is closely related to rates of employment and job quality. Local strategies include farmers’ markets, mobile produce vendors, farm-to-school initiatives, food hubs and other community-based methods for selling local food.  Global strategies include encouraging climate-smart farming techniques and restoring degraded farmland, improving storage and supply chains for reducing food losses, and micro loans to support community agriculture.

Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, diet can help one to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote overall health.

Waste management systems like composting can limit the amount of food waste in landfills, enrich soil for future planting, and contribute to the soil’s drought resistance. While food discarded in landfills emits methane gas from being packed too tightly, healthy compost emits carbon dioxide into the air and promotes healthy plant life as well as acting as a natural fertilizer.

OBSERVE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO HELP

“After you learn about conventional and alternative food systems, observe current efforts to improve global food security. Below are some examples of videos, posters, websites, inventions, public messages, and community events and educational programs.”

Observant Mouse

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

VIDEOS

CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE

This United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization video explains how to achieve sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.

watch

THE EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION

This video explains how malnutrition can negatively affect the human body.

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WHY WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR FOOD SYSTEM

This United Nations video explains the growing need to change our food system.

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WHAT IS FOOD INSECURITY?

This video explains what food (in)security is, and why it is important.

watch

POSTERS

HELPING HANDS

Berta K., Hungary, age 11.

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SUPERHEROES LOVE CLEAN HANDS

This Centers for Disease Control poster reminds us that everyone should wash their hands before eating.

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Websites

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization aims to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The United States Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

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INVENTIONS

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the system of growing plants and raising animals as food sources. The earliest recorded agriculture was in the Middle East between 8500 and 7000 BC. Today, community supported agriculture (CSA) offers a way for consumers of produce to support local farmers and play a role in producing the food they eat.

ROOFTOP GARDEN

The first known rooftop gardens were built between 4,000–600 BC in ancient Mesopotamia. Today, home gardens are visually pleasing, produce food, and help the environment.

BOTTLED WATER

Natural spring water was first bottled and sold in 1621 in Holy Well, England. Today, reusable water bottles help reduce waste.

GRAIN SILO

The Greek term “silo” means “pit for holding grain.” Silos were first used in the late 8th century BC. The first modern silo was built in 1873 by Fred Hatch in Illinois and is still used today.

REFRIGERATOR

The first recorded use of ice to store food was by Chinese farmers around 1000 BC. Electric refrigerators were first introduced in New York in 1870. Today, smart refrigerators track food quantity and expiration, generate shopping lists, and even play music.

FROZEN FOOD

In 1923, Clarence Birdseye developed a method for quick-freezing food products after observing the Inuit people of Antarctica freeze and store fresh fish. Today, freezer technology can detect when food items are reaching their expiration dates.

PUBLIC MESSAGES

The “Hunger Is A Story We Can End” message from Ad Council and Feeding America raises awareness that there is enough food in the world to feed everyone and that we must work together to solve the food insecurity problem.

The “Farm-To-Table” campaign promotes the direct purchase of food from local farms to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transportation associated with traditional distribution networks.

The “Eat For Good” Oxfam campaign reminds us that our consumer decisions are powerful and that changes in how we buy, cook, and eat can make a big difference for people all over the world.

The “I Value Food” campaign is an initiative by Sustainable America to challenge people to monitor the amount of food they throw away.

The “Be Food Safe” campaign by United States Department of Agriculture is designed to raise awareness and prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

The “What’s In Store For Us” message from the Voices for Healthy Kids initiative raises awareness of and solutions to the food access program. Nearly 30 million people in communities across America do not have stores that offer healthy foods in their neighborhood. These same communities often struggle with high rates of unemployment and diet-related chronic diseases.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

World Food Day was founded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. It is celebrated in over 150 countries every October 16th to raise awareness of issues behind poverty and hunger.

World Soil Day activities aim to communicate messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems, and human well-being. World Soil Day is celebrated annually on the 5th of December.

Voices for Healthy Kids is an educational program by the American Heart Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation designed to help all children achieve a healthy weight.

The United States Department of Agriculture New Farmers Program provides information, education, and financial resources for new farmers.

SmartLabel is an online educational resource created by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute to provide consumers with more detailed product information about a wide range of food, beverage, household, pet care, and personal care products.

The Non-GMO Project is a consumer education and outreach effort to verify and promote foods that are produced without genetically-modified organisms.

“Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including plants, animals and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems of which they are part.  Biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates due to human activities that degrade or encroach on habitats, increase pollution, and contribute to climate change.”

United Nations Environment Programme

STUDY BIODIVERSITY

“The first step is to study the problem of global biodiversity loss. To get started, review the eight primary threats to biodiversity and eight current strategies to restore biodiversity around the world.”

Studious Cat

Co-Presenter Six-Steps To Solve Any Challenge

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DESTRUCTION OF ECOSYSTEMS

Degradation and destruction of ecosystems creates safety risks for people, plants, animals, and other organisms.

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RESTORATION EFFORTS

The restoration of biodiversity creates stronger and more resilient ecosystems.

LEADING THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

Global warming refers to the rise in temperature and change in climate around the world. Climate change can confuse species that rely on temperature signals that trigger seasonal events such as migration and reproduction. Global warming can cause seasonal events to happen at the wrong time, which can disrupt the synchronicity of plant and wildlife ecosystems. Global warming also can cause species extinction.

Species exploitation refers to the unsustainable hunting, poaching, and harvesting practices that directly or indirectly harm plants, animals, and other organisms. For example, according to the National Science Foundation, the overhunting of elephants in Thailand has reduced the number of elephants in the region and led to the extinction of the Miliusa beech tree because less elephants were available to disperse the tree’s seeds.

Species extinction occurs when environmental forces, evolutionary changes, or human actions reduce the total number of a species to zero. Scientists estimate that 99% of all the species that have lived on Earth are now extinct. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, vertebrate species (birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals) across the globe have declined 60% since 1970.

An invasive species is a species introduced by humans – intentionally or accidentally – outside of its natural past or present distribution. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, invasive species are a major cause of biodiversity loss: the second most common threat associated with species that have gone completely extinct and the most common threat associated with extinction of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

Eutrophication refers to the increase of nutrients in rivers and lakes that cause algal blooms and low-oxygen (hypoxic) waters that can kill fish and seagrass and reduce essential fish habitats. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the primary causes of eutrophication are nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff and atmospheric fossil fuel fallout.

Soil is the upper-layer of the Earth where plants grow and organisms inhabit. According to the Worldwide Fund For Nature, 50% of the topsoil on the planet has been lost in the last 150 years. This loss has led to desertification, reduced opportunity to grow food for animals and humans, and increased soil runoff into waterways that harms waterlife.

Habitat destruction is the displacement or elimination of the natural place where plants, animals and other organisms live. According to National Geographic, 80% of the plants and land animals live in forests. Although forests cover about 30% of the Earth, human actions destroy 36 football fields’ worth of trees every minute, according to Conservation International. As a result, those habitats are displaced or destroyed and are no longer capable of supporting plants and wildlife.

Fragmentation is the division of a natural habitat into smaller pieces or the isolation of a habitat from others by natural and human causes. The fragmented habitats may not be large enough to support the species. One study showed that habitat fragmentation reduces biodiversity by 13% to 75%.

RESTORATION EFFORTS

Individuals can limit the negative consequences of global warming by reducing their carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly during every stage of a product or service’s lifetime. Many of our daily activities, such as using electricity, driving a car, consuming food, or disposing waste, cause greenhouse gas emissions. Together these emissions make up a carbon footprint. You can reduce your carbon footprint by increasing your use of sustainable products and services and limiting your use of unsustainable products or services.

Sustainable harvesting, fishing, and hunting, as well as adjustments to diet, are the primary ways to conserve plant and wildlife species.

At-risk species may be protected through legislation, sanctuaries, and awareness. Legislation such as the United States Endangered Species Act and Canada’s Species at Risk Act identify species at risk of extinction and critical habitats and provide a framework for conserving and protecting wildlife. Sanctuaries, like those identified by The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, attempt to recreate an animal’s native habitat in order to create a safe and healthy environment to help restore the animal physically and emotionally. Awareness is critical to protecting at-risk species, whether plant or wildlife. All ecosystems are interconnected and understanding how plants, wildlife, and other living organisms exist together in balance will help inform solutions whenever a threat arises.

The primary way to stop an invasive species from establishing itself outside of its natural habitat is through prevention. The Nature Conservancy provides the following actions to prevent the spread of invasive species: research and verify that the plant or animal that you want to buy or adopt is non-invasive; when traveling, hiking, or boating, thoroughly clean your clothing and vehicle to remove weed seeds, pests, and pathogens; do not release aquarium fish, plants, live bait, or other exotic animals into the wild; and educate others about the threat of invasive species to biodiversity.

Riparian buffers are vegetated areas with native trees, shrubs, and grasses beside rivers and streams that prevent pollution and water contamination by blocking and filtering sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and other materials in surface runoff. According to the United States National Resources Conservation Service, riparian buffers are especially useful near farms where nutrients from fertilizers may run off into rivers and lakes.

Soil restoration is the process of increasing organic matter, vegetation, and native plants to improve the quality of soil. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, compost improves soil structure, aeration, water retention, drainage, and nutrient quality, and planting native plants and vegetation with deep roots increases organic matter content and biological life.

Individuals, households, and communities can conserve and restore habitats by planting native species, engaging in sustainable landscaping, and, where natural habitats are not possible, building artificial habitats like bird boxes.

Biodiversity parks and marine protection areas conserve, manage, and protect a wide variety of habitats, including prairie, tundra, ocean, mountains, forest, desert, rivers, islands, reefs, mangroves, and coastal wetlands. The parks and protection areas restore native species and ecosystems, control invasive species and pests, and monitor the wildlife within.

OBSERVE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING TO HELP

“After you learn about threats to biodiversity, check out current efforts to conserve, protect, and restore biodiversity. To get you started, below are some examples of videos, posters, websites, inventions, public messages, and community events and educational programs.”

Observant Mouse

Co-Presenter Six Steps To Solve Any Challenge

Videos

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY SO IMPORTANT?

This TED-ed video shows what makes one ecosystem strong and another weak in the face of change.

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LEARNING TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY

This UNESCO video shows how education can help us better understand the value of biodiversity and the causes of biodiversity loss.

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WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT CORAL REEFS?

This World Economic Forum video explains why coral reefs matter and what actions we need to take to protect their ecosystems.

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WHAT IS EUTROPHICATION?

This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration video explains how pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans reduces biodiversity.

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Posters

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ENDANGERED SPECIES

In this drawing by 9th grader Erin D., “all these species are as one, to symbolize that even though each species is different, they are all still part of the same earth and need to be protected.

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MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

This poster by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife shows species and habitats that benefit from California’s Marine Protected Areas.

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Websites

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WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 16 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the planet's biodiversity.

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THE HALF-EARTH PROJECT

This website explains the importance of biodiversity and steps everyone can take to restore biodiversity around the world.

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Inventions

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WATER DENITRIFICATION

In 1886, Léonard-Ulysse Gayon and Auguste-Gabriel Dupetit officially discovered the process of denitrification after isolating two strains of denitrifiers. Recently, Caroline Nolan invented a living filter bag inoculated with Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom spores to cut nitrogen and phosphorus levels in water to reduce toxic algae blooms and save waterlife.

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WILDLIFE HABITATS

In 15th century Turkey, bird houses were built into homes to provide shelter for birds. In 2017, Steve Barlow patented the idea of the nesting post, a device that fits on top of a utility marker pole and provides shelter for birds where trees are not available.

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ANIMAL HEALTH

In 1825 BCE, the first documented veterinary procedures were performed in ancient Egypt. Today, doctors are using chemotherapy to battle tumors that threaten to cause the extinction of the Tasmanian devil.

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SOIL PRESERVATION

In 1837, John Deere invented the steel plow, a tool to break-up soil while burying weeds and the remains of previous crops. In 1943, Edward Faulkner developed the idea of no-till farming, which minimizes soil disturbance in order to increase the amount of water in soil, increase the amount and variety of life in and on the soil, and decrease soil erosion.

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TREE PROPAGATION

In ancient Rome, ollae perforatae pots containing holes for drainage and aeration were used to transport and plant trees, vines, and shrubs. In 2003, Pieter Hoff developed the Waterboxx® plant cocoon, an innovative device to reforest areas that have lost trees due to deforestation, soil erosion, and drought.

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POLLINATOR PROTECTION

Around 1500 BCE, Ancient Egyptians developed the first method of protected migratory beekeeping to transport bees along the Nile River to make honey and pollinate plants. In 2016, eight-year-old Kedar invented an app to help people create gardens to promote and protect pollinator health and their environments.

PUBLIC MESSAGES

The United Nations created this phrase to encourage people to discover the biodiversity that surrounds us, realize its value, our connection to it and the consequences of its loss, and act to save it.

This message describes how the variety of life on Earth helps everyone. The World Health Organization explains that human health ultimately depends upon ecosystem products and services (such as availability of freshwater, food, and fuel sources) which are requisite for good human health and productive livelihoods. Biodiversity loss can have significant and direct human health impacts if ecosystem services are no longer adequate to meet social needs.

This message is a reminder that all life on Earth is interconnected and the loss of one species could impact everyone. National Geographic explains that a keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.

This quote by American author, poet, and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson describes how the happiness of nature is reflected in its beauty.

This quote by E.O. Wilson explains that the living environment creates everything we need from food to oxygen to shelter.

This World Wildlife Fund message raises awareness for the protection of elephants by reminding everyone that tens of thousands of elephants are poached each year for their tusks, which are turned into souvenirs for sale.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The International Day for Biological Diversity is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is held each year on May 22.

Even though a major part of Finland is covered by forests, there are no longer enough trunks and big trees for hollow-nesting birds. Natural tree hollows are increasingly scarce so there is a great demand for built bird nests. Because of the cutting of younger forests, there are not enough mature and dead trees for woodpeckers to build hollow nests. The Public Service Broadcasting Company and the Organization for Nature and Wildlife Protection in Finland organized a campaign that created more than 1,000,000 birdhouses.

National Wildlife Week is the National Wildlife Federation’s longest-running education program designed to connect budding conservationists of all ages to the awesome wonders of wildlife. National Wildlife Week is held each year in March.

The United States National Park Service Junior Ranger program encourages kids to interview Rangers, complete games, and answer questions about the park and the National Park Service. At the end of their experience in the park, kids are sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive a special certificate and an official Junior Ranger badge.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the United Kingdom asks students to actively engage with animal welfare and think critically about issues concerning animals through its Great Debates program.

This NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries program encourages classrooms to make a commitment to the protection and conservation of local watersheds, the world’s ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The classroom makes a commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project that affects its local watershed, the ocean, or a national marine sanctuary in some capacity.