Events

CHAIRPERSON

Assoc Prof Jamie S. Davidson, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

ABSTRACT

The global food system is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions and occupies half of the world’s habitable land, intensifying the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. As global meat consumption continues to rise, transitioning protein sources is as critical as transitioning energy sources. However, significant knowledge gaps persist in individuals’ awareness of food sector impacts. In Singapore, surveys reveal that respondents often underestimate (1) the emissions from animal proteins compared to cars (e.g., beef vs. car rides) and (2) the substantial differences in emissions among ruminant proteins, other animal proteins, and plant proteins (e.g., beef vs. chicken vs. lentils). Additionally, many respondents (3) mistakenly perceive plant proteins (such as pulses) as being low in protein. This talk will present ongoing research aimed at educating individuals about the health and climate co-benefits of dietary choices, utilizing technology (personal devices) and positive messaging. Instead of focusing on immediate changes in food choices, which are deeply personal, the goal is to leverage daily routines to educate a new generation of individual climate leaders who will support climate policy in the coming decades.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Alberto Salvo is an associate professor in the Department of Economics and a principal investigator at the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He studies how the behavior and incentives of economic agents, such as households, workers, and firms, interact with scarce environmental resources, such as climate, urban air, water, and land use. Ongoing projects relate to households’ awareness of the climate crisis, personal emissions accountability, and individual action. As an environmental economist and behavioral social scientist, Salvo collaborates across disciplines, including atmospheric sciences, food science and technology, environmental health, consumer psychology, marketing, transport engineering, and strategic communication. His work focuses on Asia’s under-studied and globally critical environment and society by partnering with industry, civil society, and government. At NUS, Salvo serves on the University Sustainability and Climate Action Council since 2022. At the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, he holds a Dean’s Chair award (2022-2025). He is also a co-editor of Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and a member of the editorial council at Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.

REGISTRATION

Registration is closed, and instructions on how to participate in this hybrid talk has been sent out to registered attendees. Please write to ziqi@nus.edu.sg if you would like to attend the event.