ICA Gruppen’s CEO Per Strömberg (left) was one of the visitors at the Nobel Week Dialogue. – These are big and important issues for us.
The Nobel Week Dialogue is in a way a celebration to creativity and the will to improve the world. The 2000 Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus is one of all who worries about how to feed 10 billion people in the future. He knows that change is necessary and is hopeful about solutions.
– Creativity has always been humanity’s trademark. It’s a big part of what separates us from other species. Creativity is about making the impossible possible, says Muhammad Yunus.
ICA connect science and reality
The theme for this year’s conference was the food of the future and it was immediately clear that this is a multifaceted area that engages many. Many of the scientists mean that the debate in today’s polarized world is often guided by emotional arguments, and therefore it is extra important with a day focusing on facts and knowledge.
– For ICA, it’s about showing that you can realize research and science in practice. These are big and important issues for us and the commitment for a sustainable food production is strong within ICA. This is a good opportunity to discuss these issue and also listen and learn, says Per Strömberg, CEO of ICA Gruppen.
ICA Gruppen presented the Klimaträtt (Climate Right) project, which is in cooperation with, among others, WWF and scientists at Chalmers. The recipes for lunch and snacks was created by the head of the ICA Kitchen, Leif Grönlund, from ICA’s climate-guided recipes.
Popular to cycle for a smoothie
ICA’s exhibition area was well attended and Karin Amnå was one of the ICA employees telling the visitors about the different initiatives that ICA is taking.
– You can tell that many of the visitors are very knowledgeable and want to know more about ICA’s sustainability work. Many are interested in how we will take our efforts into the future, says Karin Amnå.
To cycle for a smoothie at ICA was also popular among the visitors. Many wanted to take a selfie and share it in social media.
Many aspects of sustainable food production
One of the speakers underlining the big impact of global food production was Swedish environmental scientist Johan Rockström. He sees a clear connection between the food we eat and the increasing climate changes.
– How we act during the coming fifty years, will have consequences for humanity and our climate during the coming 10,000 years. We can also show that the impact of food is a very decisive factor. If we can make a difference there, we can make a big difference for our planet, says Johan Rockström.
The 1993 Nobel laureate of Medicine, Richard J. Roberts, spoke warmly of genetic engineering, which he says could help to feed many of the world's mouths.
– We cannot afford to say no to the increase in production that genetic engineering could contribute to. I want to claim that without genetic engineering, we will not succeed.
Genetic engineering a subject that engages
One who doesn’t share professor Roberts opinions is Aurora Unge from Järna, one of many visitors following the programme with great interest.
– As a trained gardener with a great interest in the environment, I follow this discussion very thoroughly. I am convinced that organically produced food, growing slowly, is better for a sustainable food production. I definitely do not believe that genetic engineering is the solution.
Other issues discussed during the day was the big climate impact of food, not least through major food waste, but also future alternatives to reduce our meat consumption, the impact of food on our health and how to create a fair distribution of the world’s resources.
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Photo: Niklas Elmehed