Food waste is a significant issue that we must divert our attention to due to a vast array of reasons. First of all, even though less harmful than non-perishables such as plastic, food waste increases the global crisis of climate change due to all the energy and water that goes into harvesting, growing, transporting, and packaging food. Hence, when we waste food, we are wasting all this, and if this food is discarded incorrectly, it goes to landfills and rots. This wasteful process produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas that is worse than carbon dioxide. 

Then comes the harm done to human life. Between the 1860s up until 2016, it is estimated that 128 million people died from famines. This does not take into account the more recent and severe developments in places like Yemen, Sudan & Ethiopia. Even though it is argued that the risk of famine has been extremely reduced due to advances in food production technology and globalization, there are still around 80 million people living in a state described as "crisis-level" by the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification). These people living under crisis, if their lives are saved in one way or another, their health and immunity are severely damaged due to significant exposure to malnourishment. 

With all this damage known, it is infuriating to know that around 1.3 billion tons of edible food, which is equivalent to a third of the world's production, is wasted annually. This is enough to feed 3 billion people and end world hunger. It would also significantly reduce the environmental effect that was mentioned earlier, and help in curbing climate change. 

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