environmental science: toward a sustainable future richard t. wright the production and distribution...

Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future Richard T. Wright

The Production and Distribution of Food

PPT by Clark E. Adams

Chapter 9

The Production and Distribution of Food

Crops and animals: major patterns of food production

New patterns: genetically modified foods Food distribution and trade Hunger, malnutrition, and famine

Thomas Malthus: 1798

FoodProduction

PopulationGrowth

Time

Amount

Thomas Malthus Did not consider changes in agricultural

technology and science Did not consider dramatic decreases in

fertility rates in some countries Was right, but ahead of his time

Crops and Animals: Major Patterns of Food Production

The development of modern industrialized agriculture

The green revolution Subsistence agriculture and the

developing world Animal farming and its consequences Prospects for increasing food production

U.S. Crop Yields

Major Patterns of Food Production: Past 40 Years and Next 40 Years?

Bringing additional land into cultivation Increasing use of fertilizers Increasing use of chemical pesticides Increasing use of irrigation

Major Patterns of Food Production: Past 40 Years and Next 40 Years?

Substituting new genetic varieties Rotating crops Growing many different kinds of crops Recycling animal wastes Grain over animal production

The Green Revolution

Temporarily closed the gap between food production and need in some countries

Heavy reliance on irrigation and fertilizers Negative impact on small farmers and

culturally specific crops

Subsistence Farming: More or Less?

Labor intensive Technologically based Use of marginal lands Clearing of tropical rain forests Environmental degradation

Animal Farming and Its Consequences

Loss of 70% of grain crops in U.S. Overgrazing Mismanagement of animal manure Most widespread source of water pollution Source of 3% of greenhouse gases Sustainable on rural farms and with pastoral

herding

Global Population and Grain and Meat Consumption

Fig. 9-9 here

Prospects for Increasing Food Production Over last 30 years, food production has

surpassed population growth World food consumption to increase 50%

by 2020 Agricultural sustainability is highly

dependent on soil and water conservation Global climate changes

40% Increase in Food Production Needed over Next Two Decades Eat lower on the food chain, less meat Convert cash crops to food Eat less Increase crop yields Double Green Revolution!

40% Increase in Food Production Needed over Next Two Decades Convert animal farms to grain farms Develop alternative foods Convert pet food to human food The promise of biotechnology

New Patterns: Genetically Modified Food

The promise The problems Policies

Biotech Crops in the United States

Fig. 9-10 here

The Promise: Transgenic Crops

Crossbreeds of genetically different plants Incorporation of desired traits into crop

lines and animals Cloning of domestic animals

The Objectives of Genomics

Disease resistance Drought tolerance Improved nutritional value Incorporate human vaccines

The Problems with Genomics

Environmental concerns Not considered safe by all consumers Not affordable in all countries Major player in the future of agriculture Might keep food production in pace with

population growth

Environmental Problems

Pest resistance to genetically engineered toxin

Broad spectrum impact on nontarget species

“Super weeds”

Food Safety

Proteins cause allergic responses Antibiotic resistance to human pathogens Plant produces new toxic substances

Other Problems with Genomics

Access to new technologies profit driven affordability in developing countries terminator technology: seed sterility

Consumer acceptance

Food Distribution and Trade

Patterns in food trade Food security

Patterns in Food Trade

Major changes in net importers and exporters of grain over the last six decades (Table 9-3)

North America is the world’s “bread basket” or “meat market”

Direct relationship between import levels and population growth

Patterns of Global Trade in Grain

Table 9-3 here

Food Security (see Fig. 9-13)

“Assured access for every person to enough nutritious food to sustain an active and healthy life” Family: personal and family food security Country: self-sufficiency in food and

nutrition Global: sustainable food and nutrition for all

countries

Hunger, Malnutrition, and Famine

Nutrition vs. hunger Extent and consequences of hunger Root cause of hunger Famine Food aid

Nutrition vs. Hunger

Hunger: lack of basic food for energy and meeting nutritional needs Malnutrition: lack of essential nutrients (amino

acids, vitamins, and minerals) Undernourishment: lack of adequate food

energy (Calories) One-quarter of U.S. population is obese

The Food Guide Pyramid

On the Other Hand

100 million children in southern Asia are underweight because of lack of food

11 million children <5 years old die each year in developing countries – half due to hunger and malnutrition

Root Cause of Hunger

The root cause of hunger is poverty 20% of the people on Earth suffer from the

effects of hunger and malnutrition Children are most at risk It is more likely that a pet cat will be fed than

an undernourished child

Causes of Famine and Hunger Hotspots

Civil Wars Drought (FEWS) Government

Incompetence

Food Aid

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today.Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for lifetime."

--Old Chinese Saying

Food Aid

Fig. 9-19 here

Food Aid: True or False

Alleviates chronic hunger Helps local agriculture Disrupts local economy Contributes to ecological deterioration Postpones the day of reckoning

Food Aid and Carrying Capacity

N

Time

Carrying Capacity w/o Food Aid

Carrying Capacity with Food Aid

The Lifeboat Ethic of Garret Hardin

End of Chapter 9