Sustainable agriculture projects have long boasted that greener practices will reduce waste and create cleaner conditions for the environment. However, not all of these promises have been entirely true. Almond milk, for example, was found to be deadly for bee populations in California. In fact, recent studies have found that food systems as a whole contribute to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. As sustainability in food production becomes more urgent by the year, food insecurity still threatens many worldwide who are not given the luxury of choosing the most sustainable products. Oxfam, a nonprofit which aims to alleviate global poverty, recently found that green reforestation efforts could increase food prices by a margin of 80% by the year 2050. 

If adequate measures are not taken to improve the status of these intertwined problems by nonprofits and governments, it seems that both issues will only worsen with time. One possible area of concentration could be food waste. Though it remains unclear whether reducing or eliminating food waste could significantly change the landscape of food insecurity, there are hopeful possibilities in the field. Ecotone Renewables, an up-and-coming Pittsburgh startup, suggests a “seahorse” model in which rainwater is used to convert excess food into green fertilizers through anaerobic digestion. The founders claim that food being wasted in landfills is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Their fertilizer could simultaneously be used to create more food, which could alleviate shortages of vital calories. 

The proof will have to be in the pudding for companies like Ecotone. While a seahorse model like theirs may technically work to create fertilizers, it will be even more important to prove that this method effectively addresses the dual challenges of food insecurity and climate change. That’s where data comes in. Governments and nonprofits can use Results-Based Accountability (RBA) and actionable data to evaluate the efficacy of the programs and products they employ to fight essential issues. The RBA framework helps organizations set goals and achieve them through objective and measurable means. The RBA framework also has an advantage in that it takes the pressure off individuals and allows communities to build their own futures. 

Organizations that aim to tackle climate change and food insecurity should use Results-Based Accountability because plans to address multifaceted issues should constantly be open to revision if the data shows any failure or shortcomings. Using performance accountability to turn the curve means less time and resources will be wasted on ineffective strategies. When dealing with such pressing matters, the value of time and resources cannot be overstated. For programs and organizations, the performance measures focus on whether customers are better off due to your services. By measuring success off of this end goal, organizations will be able to identify to what extent they are improving the overall well-being of their community, not just in the single aspect they currently work on but as a whole. 

With time, data can work hand in hand with food providers and climate scientists to pinpoint which practices can help each issue without worsening the other. While it may seem an insurmountable feat to overcome all of the complex factors at play when it comes to such broad problems, the RBA framework provides a proven strategy that can help people work effectively through larger questions. By relying on data and sharing the load with other organizations and community members, big problems can be solved through many small jobs. 

For more information on how the RBA Framework can help you achieve your goals, visit our RBA Overview page. Clear Impact also offers RBA professional certifications that can help members of your organization understand and implement this methodology into your strategies. 

Organizations that aim to tackle climate change and food insecurity should use Results-Based Accountability because plans to address multifaceted issues should constantly be open to revision if the data shows any failure or shortcomings. Using performance accountability to turn the curve means less time and resources will be wasted on ineffective strategies. When dealing with such pressing matters, the value of time and resources cannot be overstated. For programs and organizations, the performance measures focus on whether customers are better off due to your services. By measuring success off of this end goal, organizations will be able to identify to what extent they are improving the overall well-being of their community, not just in the single aspect they currently work on but as a whole. 

With time, data can work hand in hand with food providers and climate scientists to pinpoint which practices can help each issue without worsening the other. While it may seem an insurmountable feat to overcome all of the complex factors at play when it comes to such broad problems, the RBA framework provides a proven strategy that can help people work effectively through larger questions. By relying on data and sharing the load with other organizations and community members, big problems can be solved through many small jobs. 

For more information on how the RBA Framework can help you achieve your goals, visit our RBA Overview page. Clear Impact also offers RBA professional certifications that can help members of your organization understand and implement this methodology into your strategies.