In a world where the food system is held together by duct tape and good intentions, Bhutan has decided that what we really need is a spiritual awakening. Delegates from more than 60 countries and the UN will gather in Paro for the world's first 'conscious food summit' - a five-day affair that pairs governments and farmers with mindfulness experts and yoga therapists, because nothing says 'solving global hunger' like a downward dog.
Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan's prime minister, insists that fixing the broken food system requires more than just throwing money and fertilizer at it. 'Food lies at the intersection of many of the defining challenges of our time,' he said, listing hunger, poor nutrition, poverty, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the ever-popular conflict and geopolitical instability. His message: 'transforming our food systems requires both inner and outer change.' So, yes, we need to meditate our way to food security.
The summit will promote regenerative practices and Indigenous knowledge, with a side of consciousness. 'Consciousness can cultivate compassion, empathy, resilience, creativity and a stronger connection with nature,' Tobgay explained. He was quick to clarify that this doesn't mean choosing spirituality over science, but rather recognizing that our values influence how we wield science, policy, and technology. Because obviously, the reason we have a food crisis is that we haven't been compassionate enough.
Meanwhile, the climate crisis is literally knocking on Bhutan's door. A glacial collapse in neighboring Nepal last week caused floods and landslides that killed hundreds. And with a 'super El Niño' on the horizon, the World Food Programme warns that 50 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation. This follows a summer of drought, heat, and wildfires that devastated harvests across the northern hemisphere. But sure, let's talk about feelings.
Jerry Spooner of Regenerative Vanua, a Pacific NGO, says the threats will push global food systems to their limit. 'Our food systems are not resilient enough for the challenges ahead,' he said. The opportunity in Bhutan, he suggests, is to focus on building systems that regenerate ecosystems, strengthen communities, and improve collective resilience, rather than just producing more food. Because we've clearly been doing that so well.
Tobgay argues that we must articulate the values we want reflected in food production and consumption, rather than leaving it to businesses and governments. 'Food systems are ultimately shaped by human choices, institutions, incentives, relationships and values,' he said. He also noted that farmers and rural people are often at the mercy of markets and global forces. 'Too often, policies are developed for these groups rather than with them.' Shocking.
The summit will avoid bombastic political speeches and instead foster inner change with the help of 'spiritual masters' like mindfulness practitioners. Because nothing says 'solving world hunger' like a group meditation. Tobgay believes that food has become a mere commodity, treated carelessly, leading to waste and unhealthy eating. 'A conscious approach to production would care for both the land and the farmer. It would regenerate soils, not deplete them. It would protect water. It would reduce pollution and deforestation and recognize the dignity and wellbeing of the people who produce the food that sustains us.'
Tobgay practices what he preaches, starting each day at 5am with a bowl of porridge and a banana, eaten by a stream near his house, listening to the birds. Because if that doesn't solve the food crisis, nothing will. He suggests we all try conscious eating - reflecting on food's provenance and giving thanks before meals. It takes almost no time, but could, he hopes, be the first step to a revolution in how we treat the planet and each other. Or, you know, we could just, like, fix the supply chain. But sure, gratitude is nice.