The city of Belo Horizonte interacts with the four just sustainabilities in a myriad of ways
- Improving quality of life and wellbeing
Belo Horizonte is a city in a Latin American country, which makes it a fascinating study to understand how the diverse cultural history of the region affects the way populations choose to work together. Belo Horizonte has made significant strides in dramatically reducing food insecurity and hunger, and its success story is seen as a blueprint across the world. Implementing food sustainability ensures that people’s quality of life and wellbeing will improve, and promotes community cohesion. This will inevitably lead to a improvement in quality of life and wellbeing.
2. Meeting the needs of both present and future generations
Belo Horizonte’s challenge to tackle hunger has been ongoing since the 90s, which also intersects with the area of meeting the needs of both present and future generations. Their bid to fight food insecurity has not only impacted current generations, but will sustain the nutritional needs of future citizens and Brazilians at large.
3. Justice and equity in terms of recognition
Because it is a major metro and 6th largest city in Brazil, it is a perfect survey of the intersectional dynamics of urban environments. Having so many different cultural and economic backgrounds in one city provides a perfect look at how race, gender, and class impact different groups and their outcomes. This intersects with Belo’s mission, which is to provide quality meals and produce to uplift citizens of all class, ethnic, and social backgrounds.
4. Living within ecosystem limits
Belo Horizonte is a great case study on how we can expand our sustainability efforts, while making sure we are not overtaxing our ecosystem. This case gives an opportunity to see how both governments and communities can join together to create local-centered outcomes, protecting the environment and earth at the same time. In Belo Horizonte, a huge part of the sustainable hunger push was focused on empowering local communities to grow their own food, which is more eco-friendly than relying on shipped produce.