The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has named European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, Thomas Pesquet, as its Goodwill Ambassador today, the International Day of Human Space Flight.
Pesquet will help FAO raise awareness about the importance of transforming the world’s agri-food systems. FAO seeks to make the food systems more resilient, inclusive, efficient, and sustainable to overcome the challenges. Some of these include persisting and growing hunger, and preserving the planet’s environment and biodiversity.
Moreover, the FAO noted that hunger is on the rise, noting that almost 690 million people go hungry globally. FAO added that COVID-19 could push up to 132 million more into hunger.
The FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu noted while conferring the title to Pesquet that business as usual is no longer an option.
“We need the support of every individual. We need science and we need action, most of all. Thomas Pesquet brings us a unique perspective, from the vantage point of space. I am delighted that today you are committing to working even more closely with us, in your new capacity as an FAO Goodwill Ambassador”.
The FAO Director-General stated that Thomas has worked in support of the FAO for some time now. He acknowledged his contribution in helping raise awareness of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
“I am very proud to accept the nomination as an FAO Goodwill Ambassador. As I’m preparing for my coming mission, I’m feeling closer than ever to the work of FAO. I want to bring awareness to the fight against hunger”.
Pesquet
Pesquet’s second mission to the International Space Station
Meanwhile, the launch of Pesquet’s second mission to the International Space Station, called Alpha, is scheduled for 22 April and to last for 6 months. Pesquet will be the first ESA astronaut to fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon being launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, USA.
Pesquet said his first spaceflight had drastically changed his perception about the challenges the world was facing. This is because he became more aware of the “parallel between our home planet and our spaceship.”
“After all, Earth is also a spaceship, flying through space with limited resources. The problems are the same – a hostile environment that you have to deal with, limited resources that you have to share. There is a need to get along with crew members and work together to achieve your goals.
“I was also the witness of the effects of climate change on our planet and the consequences of human action. So, I tried to document all these from space and advocate for more respect for the environment”.
The French ESA astronaut has been an advocate for action on climate change. He used his experience of 196 consecutive days onboard the International Space Station in 2016 and 2017 to highlight the need for unity on our “one Earth”.
His work as FAO Goodwill Ambassador will include promoting awareness of FAO’s science-based efforts to address agri-food systems transformation. Others include creating awareness on food waste, food insecurity, and malnutrition. He will also draw attention to how people’s daily food choices have implications on their wellbeing and the planet’s health.
