WITH HIS NEW BOOK “FEEDING THE PLANET”THE WINNER OF MULTIPLE PRIZES “FLYING PHOTOGRAPHER” GEORGE STEINMETZ GIVES US A UNIQUE AND EXTRAORDINARY VIEW OF GLOBAL FOOD PRODUCTION. THIS THICK PART IS NOT JUST A COLLECTION OF BREATHTAKING IMAGES, BUT A VISUAL JOURNEY THAT DOCUMENTS THE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOD, ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
George Steinmetz: a master of aerial photography
George Steinmetzhistorical contributor to National Geographic and nicknamed “the flying photographer”, is an iconic figure in the photojournalism landscape. Since the 1990s he has used a motorized paraglider, an innovative technique he developed himself, to capture images of the world from unusual and breathtaking perspectives.
This method, a precursor to the use of drones, allows him to immortalize the majesty of landscapes and the imprint of human activity on them, creating images that give new meaning to the reality depicted and amplify the impact of each shot .
His extraordinary technical mastery is also intertwined with an acute sensitivity to social and environmental issues, making him not only a master of photobut a visual storyteller who can tell our world with depth and complexity.
In “Feeding the planet”the culmination of more than a decade of work, Steinmetz traveled through thirty-six countries and six continents to document the global food supply chain. The book therefore offers a complete and compelling view of the challenges, the innovations and contradictions of food productioncreating a living and universal portrait that invites reflection on the future of our food and the planet’s resources. But let’s get to the heart of the matter.
A global report on food production
The project “Feeding the planet” offers a global and in-depth view of every stage of food production, illustrating the journey of food through evocative images: from agricultural crops to community kitchens, through intensive agriculture, markets and symbolic places of consumption and sharing.
Each of Steinmetz’s photographs is the result of meticulous research and a deep understanding of the social, environmental and cultural contexts that intertwine in the complex food system. His dedication is evident in every scene captured.
From the vast soy plantations in Brazil and Argentina, which have led to the destruction of millions of hectares of rainforest – a crucial ecosystem for CO₂ absorption and biodiversity protection – to the small plots of the Polish village of Sułoszowa, where they survive medieval agricultural practices , documents from Steinmetz the contrasting impact of different forms of agriculture.
The expansion of monocultures compromises in fact, not only the ability to mitigate climate change, but also the survival of many animal species, threatened by the destruction of their natural habitat.
Similarly, cattle ranches in Australia and the United States, with herds of thousands of cattle occupying vast areas, have been portrayed as huge sources of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that accelerates greenhouse gas emissions. global warming.
The images of “flying photographer” highlight how growing demand for meat, especially in developing countries, fuels a cycle that threatens environmental sustainability.
The dark side of the food industry
In China, Steinmetz then documents an industrial reality of colossal proportions and introduces us to a poultry processing plant that produces hundreds of thousands of chickens per day. His images show the extraordinary efficiency of the production chain in which animals are processed “capi” intended for export and domestic consumption, at impressive rates.
However, this symbol of productivity also reveals the dark side of the food industry: the often inhumane conditions of animals and the lack of ethical criteria in the management of intensive agriculture. Although these Chinese plants respond to the growing demand for proteins from a growing population, they raise urgent questionsethical and ecological impact of such a mechanized and alienating system.
As we continue the journey, Steinmetz takes us to India, where food takes on a profound spiritual and social dimension. At the Golden Temple in Amritsar, for example, the photographer captures the largest community kitchen in the world, which provides free meals to thousands of people every day, regardless of caste, religion or social status.
This place, made possible by donations and the generosity of volunteers, represents a powerful contrast compared to industrial production scenarios: here food is an act of solidarity and a fundamental right.
“Feeding the planet” It becomes a visual journey that not only exposes the excesses and distortions of the global food system, but also celebrates the resilience of traditions and the beauty of communities that recognize food not just as a resource, but as a universal value.
The social impact and contradictions of the food supply chain
As mentioned, “Feeding the planet” it not only explores but also sheds light on environmental aspects deep social contradictions of the food system.
The images capture the inequality in the distribution of food resources: while in some areas high-tech forms of agriculture are practiced to maximize yields, in other communities, especially in developing countries, people cultivate to feed themselves with traditional and often inefficient methods.
Steinmetz photographs these realities with a critical eye, considering that millions of people around the world suffer from hunger, while others find themselves in abundance.
In this context, the book also takes us to the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese warehouses in Reggio Emilia, Italy, a real “block house” of food where thousands of forms mature for more than a year. His images not only pay tribute to Italian gastronomic tradition, but also raise questions about the economic accessibility of high-quality products, often intended for niche markets and unavailable to a large part of the world’s population.
A message of sustainability for the future
Through his photographs, Steinmetz conveys a sharp message: to feed the planet without endangering its balance, it is essential to radically rethink our models of food production and consumption.
In the final chapter, he delves into the future of agriculture through emerging biotechnologies, which could revolutionize the sector and make it more sustainable. Vertical farmsfor example, are emerging as a breakthrough solution capable of significantly reducing the ecological impact of traditional crops.
Using drastically less water and land than conventional methods, these structures allow vegetables and other plants to be grown on multiple levels, optimizing space in urban areas and reducing the need for deforestation to make room for crops.
Vertical farms are already widespread in many Asian cities and represent a promising answer to the growing demand for food in densely populated metropolises.
Another innovation consists ofprecision agriculturethat uses data and advanced tools such as drones and sensors to optimize the use of resources such as water and fertilizers, improve efficiency and reduce waste.
Furthermore, the author explores the use ofbreeding insectsan alternative and sustainable protein source that requires minimal resources compared to traditional agriculture.
A book with a lot of depth
To enrich the book, the texts of Joel K. Bourne Jr.known for his studies on sustainability and food safetywhich provide a detailed analysis of issues related to food production and distribution.
While the introduction of Michael Pollanleading author in the field ofconscious eatinginvites the reader to consider how our individual choices can impact the global food system.
With this synergy between images and authoritative texts, Steinmetz offers a work that goes beyond simple documentation: it lays the foundation for a deep and concrete reflection on a fairer and more sustainable food system.
Ultimately, Feeding the planet it is much more than a photo book: it is a work that makes us question our role within the global food supply chain.
The Italian edition, published by Apogeo, is available in bookstores and online.
Source
National Geographic