Agro-food systems and environment: Sustaining the unsustainable

Ecological footprints have made it possible to study the dependence on natural resources and the human impact derived from the substantial growth of the world population. Food security represents the sufficient and stable availability of food, with timely and stable access for future generations. Food security is an essential issue for agri-food systems that have been greatly affected by the demand for food, the current problems of sustainability, the high losses of food and waste generated in the production and supply chain, the limitations of natural resources and climate change. The circular economy still being a model of production and consumption under the reuse and recycling of materials for as long as possible to face the challenges of climate change, resource depletion and population growth. Currently, there is a need to adopt a political strategy of gradual transition and full integration of the different world entities from the different political sectors to achieve a sustainable and balanced food system with environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This review highlights the need to change the unsustainability of various in-practice agri-food systems and their interactions with the environment. Further, considering the Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations, insightful perspectives have been given to preserve and enhance sustain the agro-food systems and reduce the environmental impact for global sustainable food security.