Fifteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Food security remains a critical global challenge. The ongoing climate crisis, intensive profit-driven agricultural methods, and exclusionary practices have led to serious ecological and socio-economic consequences, such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, malnutrition or diet-related diseases. Availability and accessibility of healthy and culturally appropriate food options is largely influenced by capitalist agriculture production, and thus remains considerably limited to traditionally disenfranchised communities, pushing them further to the margins. Therefore, inclusively achieving food security requires addressing the concentration of economic power across the food chain—a disparity that food sovereignty seeks to highlight by calling for a more democratic approach. Following a critical reflection on the so-called ‘green’ revolution in the 20th century, this paper takes stock of recent developments aimed at a reform of international environmental law. Indigenous case studies, such as the Guarani and Kaiowá in Brazil or the Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, reveal how modern agricultural practices not only drive environmental harm but also exacerbate colonial inequalities rooted in historical exploitation. There is an urgent need to transform our food systems through intersectional and decolonial approaches that recognize Indigenous rights to land and prioritise cultural practices in terms of food choices, as well as food acquisition and preparation. International law must become sufficiently nimble to affect such discussions and corresponding actions on all levels to achieve a nature-friendly and socially secure and fair food systems that reconcile food production with nature regeneration.