Space Education & Strategic Applications Volume 2, Number 1, Fall 2020/Winter 2021 | Page 89

A Planetary Perspective of Earth Systems Sustainability
Figure 1 . The UN SDGs with a potential 18th goal added ( Galli & Losch , 2019 ).
Most SDGs are directly linked with global food systems and food security . Transformative policy and action to include the SDGs in examining non-food ( i . e ., alternatives to fossil fuels ) and food-related strategies ( less meat consumption , promoting government Extension services ) are needed to facilitate climate-smart agriculture practices , resource sustainability , and food security for a growing global population ( Campbell , Hansen , Rioux , Stirling , & Twomlow , 2018 ; Chaudhary , Gustafson , & Mathys , 2018 ; PĂ©rez-Escamilla , 2017 ).
Climate Change , Food Insecurity , and Climate Justice

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the people and economies of Earth ( Marino , et . al ., 2016 ; Vermeulen , Campbell , & Ingram , 2012 ). Agriculture is a key driver contributing to climate change ( Campbell , et . al ., 2017 ; FAO , 2013 ; Uusitalo , et . al ., 2019 ). Climate change adversely and disproportionately impacts the rural poor who depend directly on natural resources for their food and livelihood security ; these impacts exacerbate existing socio-economic ( socio ) and biophysical ( ecological ) conditions ( Adger , 2003 ; Aminzadeh , 2006 ; John & Firth , 2005 ; Morton , 2007 ; Oremo , 2013 ; Schmidhuber & Tubiello , 2007 ; Vermeulen , Campbell , & Ingram , 2012 ). Climate change is not just an environmental issue , but increasingly an economic , socio-cultural , and justice issue , with implications on community resilience , food security , health , and livelihood security ( Aminzadeh , 2006 ; Vermeulen , Campbell , & Ingram , 2012 ). Improvements in agriculture and the overall food system can be significant step toward planetary sustainability , food security , and climate justice ( Campbell , et . al ., 2017 ; Wezel , et . al ., 2009 ).

Socio-Ecological Systems ( SES ) Framework

Socio-ecological systems ( SES ) is a theoretical framework which can examine multi-disciplinary and

83