Agroecology offers humanity essential tools to address climate change, environmental destruction and world hunger. This is the message of a new Friends of the Earth report released on June 21. The report “Farming for the Future: Organic and Agroecological Solutions to Feed the World” busts three common myths about world hunger and details the science that demonstrates that organic and agroecological farming are key to feeding all people sustainably. The authors warn that “today’s dominant industrial food system is rapidly depleting and degrading the world’s soil, water and biodiversity; intensifying climate disruption; consolidating wealth and power over food-related resources; and accelerating world poverty and hunger.” However, agribusiness, philanthropic and international institutions and policymakers defend this system justifying policies, research and markets that propel destructive agricultural practices and concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few. The most famous myth is that we must significantly increase food production to feed the world. Although modern agriculture is producing more food per capita than ever before, approximately 800 million people are still affected by hunger. Scientists estimate that farmers already produce enough food to feed 10 billion people - far more than the current population of 7.3 billion. “Research consistently demonstrates that world hunger is not a problem of supply, but rather of poverty, lack of democracy and unequal access to land, water and other resources,” the authors write. Another pervasive misconception debunked by the report is that organic and agroecological farming cannot produce enough food. The authors draw an a rich body of research demonstrating that agroecological farming systems, including organic agriculture, can yield more than enough food to feed a growing population while generating significant economic, health and environmental benefits. The authors also refer to the IAASTD report: “Investing in regional sustainable food systems can be a win-win for small-scale food producers, families and local economies by spurring jobs and economic growth. By producing a variety of foods for local processing and marketing, farmers generate local employment and expand community economic activity,” is their summary of the IAASTD. Friends of the Earth conclude: “To feed the world while also confronting multiple environmental crises, we need policies, incentives and public investments that promote agroecology, diversified organic farming and small- and mid-scale farmer livelihoods. Solutions must focus on reviving rural economies, advancing food sovereignty and democratizing governance and power in the food system.” (ab)