More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day, [despite / spiteful] famine and millions of people starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) [recent / recently] reported that households are responsible [of / for] 60 per cent of food waste, followed [by / to] restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has [a / the] highest estimated household food waste [per / for] person, at around 260 kilograms [annual / annually] . Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also recorded [high / height] levels. Globally, food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. [As / Has] discarded food decomposes in landfills, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which accelerates global [warming / warmth] .
Individuals, businesses and governments can all take practical [steps / stairs] to reduce food waste. People should plan meals, prepare shopping [lists / list] , and purchase only what they need. We should store [ingredient / ingredients] correctly and freeze [samples / surplus] portions. We should also turn leftovers [into / onto] new dishes and compost inedible waste. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to [play / contend] in reducing food loss. They can donate [supplies / surplus] food to communities in [need / needy] . Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every meal [rescued / reclused] , shared or never wasted is food [give / put] to better use." Reducing waste would save money, improve food security and help curb climate change.