Our livelihood depends on food and nutrition.
Livelihood includes all resources or means of life necessary to maintain the subsistence or well-being of a person or a community. It can include food, housing, income, employment, among other things essential to sustaining life.
Feeding
Food is a fundamental component of human sustenance. It refers to the act of consuming food to obtain energy and nutrients necessary to sustain life.
Food sources are varied and depend largely on factors such as geographic location, culture, traditions and available resources. Below we explore three of the main ones.
Plant foods
These include fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes and nuts. These foods, which can be obtained through agriculture, are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and carbohydrates, and provide an important source of energy and essential nutrients for the body. In this context, water is a very precious element, as it is essential for growing and harvesting.
Animal foods
They include meat, fish, poultry, dairy products and eggs. They are rich in high-quality proteins, as well as vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium and vitamin B12. To obtain these products, humans turn to livestock farming, hunting and fishing .
Processed foods
These are those that have been subjected to industrial transformation processes, such as sausages, canned foods, snacks and precooked foods. Although these foods may provide convenience, it is important to consume them in moderation and prioritize fresh and natural foods.
Nutrition
Nutrition is the process by which the body uses nutrients obtained from food for the proper maintenance of its vital functions, growth and development. Essential nutrients include carbohydrates , proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals , which play specific roles and are necessary for maintaining health.
Taking care of your nutrition is crucial to prevent diseases, maintain a healthy body weight and improve overall quality of life. A balanced diet that includes a variety of plant and animal foods provides the nutrients necessary to meet the needs of the human body.
Housing protects us and allows us to carry out activities that are essential for our livelihood.
Shelter and housing
Shelter and housing have been fundamental aspects of human livelihood throughout history, providing protection , security, and a place to engage in vital activities such as rest, child rearing, food preparation, and social interaction. Their evolution was influenced by a variety of factors, including geographic conditions, climate, technology, economics, and culture.
In the early stages of human history, humans relied on natural shelters such as caves, overhanging rocks, and temporary shelters constructed from branches and leaves to protect them from the elements and predators. With the development of agriculture as a source of food , the need for more permanent dwellings arose, leading to the development of primitive architecture such as mud huts, adobe houses, and log cabins.
In ancient civilizations, such as those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, housing evolved into more elaborate structures, such as stone and brick houses, often with several rooms and basic amenities. These dwellings, more akin to what we call a home today, not only provided shelter but also a sense of community and belonging , as they were often located near other dwellings and gathering places.
The Middle Ages , with their housing arrangements that clearly distinguished the nobility, and the Renaissance , with its architectural advances that enlarged the houses of the upper class and compacted those of the workers, passed by. And now we have large metropolises where technology reigns, which gives our homes autonomy , but we still have not managed to end poverty: millions of people lack access to this and other sources of support.
Job
Work plays a crucial role as a means of obtaining the resources necessary for survival and well-being. Today, there are a large number of occupations and professional careers that provide a monetary income (a salary) and, in the best case, achieve financial stability , which is so necessary for sustenance in the modern world.
Based on theory alone and without taking into account the undeniable social and economic obstacles, the path to obtaining a job begins with education , a fundamental human right . This process begins in childhood and provides us with the tools to navigate the world of work and study once we become independent. To enter a particular market, we can resort to specific training courses that enhance our natural abilities.
However, there is a persistent phenomenon that affects people's ability to access an adequate and satisfactory standard of living: wage inequality . It refers to disparities in income between different groups of workers, whether by gender, race, ethnicity, educational level, geographic location or other characteristics. These can be the result of various factors, including discrimination, lack of access to job opportunities, lack of equitable wage policies and the socioeconomic structure of society.
Through work we obtain the resources for our livelihood.
Sustainability
Sustainability is the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In other words, it is about balancing economic, social and environmental development to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all life forms on the planet.
Sustainability is critical to addressing today’s global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, natural resource scarcity and social inequality. It requires a holistic and collaborative approach that involves governments, businesses, civil society and individual citizens to work together towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
Environmental sustainability
It involves conserving and protecting natural resources, preserving biodiversity, reducing pollution and mitigating climate change. It depends on sustainable management practices and responsible consumption of natural resources , such as water , soil, air, energy and biodiversity, as well as the adoption of clean and renewable technologies for sustainable development, to reduce the ecological footprint and minimize negative impacts on the environment.
Social sustainability
Ensure equity, social justice and human well-being . This involves promoting equal access to educational, health, employment and participation in decision-making opportunities, as well as protecting the human, cultural and labour rights of all people , especially marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Economic sustainability
Promote equitable and sustainable economic growth that does not deplete natural resources or degrade the environment. Promote responsible and ethical business practices, invest in resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and adopt economic policies that foster social inclusion, decent job creation and poverty reduction.