Textbox: Planetary boundaries in food and agriculture law

Abstract

Visualizing the limits of sustainable food policy and agriculture law in light of how much pollution the planet can absorb, or how many resources the planet can recover, help in appreciating the multitude of factors that must be included in legislative proposals and legal frameworks around the globe. The planetary boundaries do just that. Taking the planetary boundaries into consideration in promoting sustainable food policy and shaping agriculture law toward more environmentally responsible practices will help avoid some of the climate change and ecological losses that current food systems often provoke. The benefits of at least steering clear of those points exceeding the planetary boundaries will inform positive ways to reshape diet, nutrition, public health, environmental integrity, and energy conservation.