Food Food ResourcesResources

One of six people in developing countries One of six people in developing countries cannot grow or buy the food they need.cannot grow or buy the food they need.

Others cannot meet their basic energy needs Others cannot meet their basic energy needs (undernutrition / hunger) or protein and key (undernutrition / hunger) or protein and key nutrients (malnutrition).nutrients (malnutrition).

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITIONFOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITIONFOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

The root cause of hunger and malnutrition is The root cause of hunger and malnutrition is poverty.poverty.

Food securityFood security means that every person in a means that every person in a given area has daily access to enough given area has daily access to enough nutritious food to have an active and healthy nutritious food to have an active and healthy life.life. Need large amounts of Need large amounts of macronutrientsmacronutrients (protein, (protein,

carbohydrates, and fats).carbohydrates, and fats). Need smaller amounts of Need smaller amounts of micronutrientsmicronutrients

(vitamins such as A,C, and E).(vitamins such as A,C, and E).

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITIONFOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

One in three people One in three people has a deficiency of has a deficiency of one or more vitamins one or more vitamins and minerals, and minerals, especially vitamin A, especially vitamin A, iodine (causes goiter iodine (causes goiter - enlargement of - enlargement of thyroid gland), and thyroid gland), and iron. iron.

Solutions: Reducing Childhood Solutions: Reducing Childhood Deaths from Hunger and MalnutritionDeaths from Hunger and Malnutrition

There are several ways to reduce There are several ways to reduce childhood deaths from nutrition-childhood deaths from nutrition-related causes:related causes: Immunize children.Immunize children. Encourage breast-feeding.Encourage breast-feeding. Prevent dehydration from Prevent dehydration from

diarrhea.diarrhea. Prevent blindness from vitamin Prevent blindness from vitamin

A deficiency.A deficiency. Provide family planning.Provide family planning. Increase education for women.Increase education for women.

FOOD PRODUCTIONFOOD PRODUCTION

Food production from croplands, rangelands, Food production from croplands, rangelands, ocean fisheries, and aquaculture has ocean fisheries, and aquaculture has increased dramatically.increased dramatically.

Wheat, rice, and corn provide more than half Wheat, rice, and corn provide more than half of the world’s consumed calories.of the world’s consumed calories. Fish and shellfish are an important source of food Fish and shellfish are an important source of food

for about 1 billion people mostly in Asia and in for about 1 billion people mostly in Asia and in coastal areas of developing countries.coastal areas of developing countries.

Industrial Food Production: Industrial Food Production: High Input MonoculturesHigh Input Monocultures

About 80% of the world’s food supply is About 80% of the world’s food supply is produced by industrialized agriculture.produced by industrialized agriculture. Uses large amounts of fossil fuel energy, water, Uses large amounts of fossil fuel energy, water,

commercial fertilizers, and pesticides to produce commercial fertilizers, and pesticides to produce monocultures.monocultures.

Greenhouses are increasingly being used.Greenhouses are increasingly being used. Plantations are being used in tropics for cash Plantations are being used in tropics for cash

crops such as coffee, sugarcane, bananas.crops such as coffee, sugarcane, bananas.

Deforestation of tropical rainforest

Agriculture fields south of the Salton Sea in California

Desert

Center-pivot irrigation

Industrial Food Production: Industrial Food Production: High Input MonoculturesHigh Input Monocultures

Livestock production in developed countries Livestock production in developed countries is industrialized:is industrialized: Feedlots are used to fatten up cattle before Feedlots are used to fatten up cattle before

slaughter.slaughter. Most pigs and chickens live in densely populated Most pigs and chickens live in densely populated

pens or cages.pens or cages. Most livestock are fed grain grown on cropland.Most livestock are fed grain grown on cropland. Systems use a lot of energy and water and Systems use a lot of energy and water and

produce huge amounts of animal waste.produce huge amounts of animal waste.

Industrialized farmingCattle

Chickenspigs

Case Study: Industrialized Food Case Study: Industrialized Food Production in the United StatesProduction in the United States

The U.S. uses industrialized agriculture to The U.S. uses industrialized agriculture to produce about 17% of the world’s grain.produce about 17% of the world’s grain. Relies on cheap energy to run machinery, Relies on cheap energy to run machinery,

process food, produce commercial fertilizer and process food, produce commercial fertilizer and pesticides.pesticides.

About 10 units of nonrenewable fossil fuel About 10 units of nonrenewable fossil fuel energy are needed to put 1 unit of food energy are needed to put 1 unit of food energy on the table.energy on the table.

Case Study: Industrialized Food Case Study: Industrialized Food Production in the United StatesProduction in the United States

Industrialized agriculture uses about 17% of Industrialized agriculture uses about 17% of all commercial energy in the U.S. and food all commercial energy in the U.S. and food travels an average 2,400 kilometers from travels an average 2,400 kilometers from farm to plate.farm to plate.

4%

Food production

Food distribution and preparation

Food processing

LivestockCrops5%6%2% 17%

of total U.S. commercial energy use

THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Since 1950, high-input agriculture has Since 1950, high-input agriculture has produced more crops per unit of land.produced more crops per unit of land.

In 1967, fast growing dwarf varieties of rice In 1967, fast growing dwarf varieties of rice and wheat were developed for tropics and and wheat were developed for tropics and subtropics.subtropics.

THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Lack of water, high costs for small farmers, Lack of water, high costs for small farmers, and physical limits to increasing crop yields and physical limits to increasing crop yields hinder expansion of the green revolution.hinder expansion of the green revolution.

Since 1978 the amount of irrigated land per Since 1978 the amount of irrigated land per person has declined due to:person has declined due to: Depletion of underground water supplies.Depletion of underground water supplies. Inefficient irrigation methods.Inefficient irrigation methods. Salt build-up.Salt build-up. Cost of irrigating crops.Cost of irrigating crops.

THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Modern agriculture has a greater harmful Modern agriculture has a greater harmful environmental impact than any human environmental impact than any human activity.activity.

Loss of a variety of genetically different crop Loss of a variety of genetically different crop and livestock strains might limit raw material and livestock strains might limit raw material needed for future green and gene needed for future green and gene revolutions.revolutions. In the U.S., 97% of the food plant varieties In the U.S., 97% of the food plant varieties

available in the 1940 no longer exist in large available in the 1940 no longer exist in large quantities.quantities.

Biodiversity Loss Soil Water Air Pollution Human Health Loss and degradation of grasslands, forests, and wetlands

Erosion Water waste Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use

Nitrates in drinking water

Loss of fertility Aquifer depletion

Pesticide residues in drinking water, food, and air

Salinization Increased runoff and flooding from cleared land

Other air pollutants from fossil fuel use

Fish kills from pesticide runoff

Waterlogging

Sediment pollution from erosion Greenhouse gas

emissions of nitrous oxide from use of inorganic fertilizers

Contamination of drinking and swimming water with disease organisms from livestock wastes

Desertification

Killing wild predators to protect livestock

Fish kills from pesticide runoff

Surface and groundwater pollution from pesticides and fertilizers Belching of the

greenhouse gas methane by cattle

Loss of genetic diversity of wild crop strains replaced by monoculture strains

Bacterial contamination of meat

Overfertilization of lakes and rivers from runoff of fertilizers, livestock wastes, and food processing wastes

Pollution from pesticide sprays

THE GENE REVOLUTIONTHE GENE REVOLUTION

To increase crop yields, we can mix the To increase crop yields, we can mix the genes of similar types of organisms and mix genes of similar types of organisms and mix the genes of different organisms.the genes of different organisms. Artificial selection has been used for centuries to Artificial selection has been used for centuries to

develop genetically improved varieties of crops.develop genetically improved varieties of crops. Genetic engineering develops improved strains Genetic engineering develops improved strains

at an exponential pace compared to artificial at an exponential pace compared to artificial selection.selection.

Controversy has arisen over the use of Controversy has arisen over the use of genetically modified food (GMF).genetically modified food (GMF).

Mixing GenesMixing Genes

Genetic engineering Genetic engineering involves splicing a involves splicing a gene from one gene from one species and species and transplanting the transplanting the DNA into another DNA into another species.species.

Projected DisadvantagesIrreversible and unpredictable genetic and ecological effects

Need less fertilizer

Need less water

More resistant to insects, disease, frost, and drought

Harmful toxins in food from possible plant cell mutations

Grow faster New allergens in food

Can grow in slightly salty soils

Lower nutrition

Less spoilage

Increased development of pesticide-resistant insects and plant diseases

Need less pesticidesCan create herbicide-resistant weeds

Better flavor

Tolerate higher levels of herbicides

Can harm beneficial insects

Lower genetic diversityHigher yields

Trade-Offs

Genetically Modified Crops and Foods

Projected Advantages

THE GENE REVOLUTIONTHE GENE REVOLUTION

The winged bean, a The winged bean, a GMF, could be grown GMF, could be grown to help reduce to help reduce malnutrition and the malnutrition and the use of large amounts use of large amounts of inorganic of inorganic fertilizers.fertilizers.

THE GENE REVOLUTIONTHE GENE REVOLUTION

Controversy has arisen over the use of Controversy has arisen over the use of genetically modified food (GMF).genetically modified food (GMF). Critics fear that we know too little about the long-Critics fear that we know too little about the long-

term potential harm to human and ecosystem term potential harm to human and ecosystem health.health.

There is controversy over legal ownership of There is controversy over legal ownership of genetically modified crop varieties and genetically modified crop varieties and whether GMFs should be labeled.whether GMFs should be labeled.

PRODUCING MORE MEATPRODUCING MORE MEAT

About half of the world’s meat is produced by About half of the world’s meat is produced by livestock grazing on grass.livestock grazing on grass.

The other half is produced under factory-like The other half is produced under factory-like conditions (feedlots).conditions (feedlots). Densely packed livestock are fed grain or fish Densely packed livestock are fed grain or fish

meal.meal. Eating more chicken and farm-raised fish and Eating more chicken and farm-raised fish and

less beef and pork reduces harmful less beef and pork reduces harmful environmental impacts of meat production.environmental impacts of meat production.

Trade-Offs

Animal Feedlots

Advantages Disadvantages

Increased meat production

Need large inputs of grain, fish meal, water, and fossil fuelsHigher profits

Concentrate animal wastes that can pollute water

Less land use

Reduced overgrazing

Reduced soil erosion

Antibiotics can increase genetic resistance to microbes in humans

Help protect biodiversity

PRODUCING MORE MEATPRODUCING MORE MEAT

Efficiency of converting grain into animal Efficiency of converting grain into animal protein.protein.

All of the following are negative impacts of food production EXCEPT

A. Increased erosion

B. Air pollution from fossil fuels

C. Bioaccumulation of pesticides

D. Lower death rates

E. Loss of biodiversity

All of the following are negative impacts of food production EXCEPT

A. Increased erosion

B. Air pollution from fossil fuels

C. Bioaccumulation of pesticides

D. Lower death rates

E. Loss of biodiversity

CATCHING AND RAISING MORE CATCHING AND RAISING MORE FISH AND SHELLFISHFISH AND SHELLFISH

After spectacular increases, the world’s total After spectacular increases, the world’s total and per capita marine and freshwater fish and per capita marine and freshwater fish and shellfish catches have leveled off.and shellfish catches have leveled off.

Wild catch

Cat

ch (

mil

lio

ns

of

met

ric

ton

s)

Aquaculture Per

cap

ita

catc

h

(kil

og

ram

s p

er p

erso

n)

Year

Total World Fish Catch World Fish Catch per Person

Year

CATCHING AND RAISING MORE CATCHING AND RAISING MORE FISH AND SHELLFISHFISH AND SHELLFISH

Government subsidies given to the fishing Government subsidies given to the fishing industry are a major cause of overfishing.industry are a major cause of overfishing. Global fishing industry spends about $25 billion Global fishing industry spends about $25 billion

per year more than its catch is worth.per year more than its catch is worth. Without subsidies many fishing fleets would have Without subsidies many fishing fleets would have

to go out of business.to go out of business. Subsidies allow excess fishing with some Subsidies allow excess fishing with some

keeping their jobs longer with making less keeping their jobs longer with making less money.money.

Overfishing and Extinction: Overfishing and Extinction: Gone Fishing, Fish GoneGone Fishing, Fish Gone

About 75% of the world’s commercially About 75% of the world’s commercially valuable marine fish species are over fished valuable marine fish species are over fished or fished near their sustainable limits.or fished near their sustainable limits. Big fish are becoming scarce.Big fish are becoming scarce. Smaller fish are next.Smaller fish are next. We throw away 30% of the fish we catch.We throw away 30% of the fish we catch. We needlessly kill sea mammals and birds.We needlessly kill sea mammals and birds.

Aquaculture: Aquatic FeedlotsAquaculture: Aquatic Feedlots

Raising large numbers of fish and shellfish in Raising large numbers of fish and shellfish in ponds and cages is world’s fastest growing ponds and cages is world’s fastest growing type of food production.type of food production.

Fish farming involves cultivating fish in a Fish farming involves cultivating fish in a controlled environment and harvesting them controlled environment and harvesting them in captivity.in captivity.

Fish ranching involves holding anadromous Fish ranching involves holding anadromous species that live part of their lives in species that live part of their lives in freshwater and part in saltwater.freshwater and part in saltwater. Fish are held for the first few years, released, Fish are held for the first few years, released,

and then harvested when they return to spawn.and then harvested when they return to spawn.

Trade-Offs

Aquaculture

Advantages Disadvantages

High efficiency Needs large inputs of land, feed, and water

High yield in small volume of water

Large waste output

Destroys mangrove forests and estuaries

Can reduce overharvesting of conventional fisheries Uses grain to feed

some species

Low fuel use Dense populations vulnerable to disease

Tanks too contaminated to use after about 5 years

High profits

Profits not tied to price of oil

Solutions

More Sustainable Aquaculture

• Use less fishmeal feed to reduce depletion of other fish

• Improve management of aquaculture wastes

• Reduce escape of aquaculture species into the wild

• Restrict location of fish farms to reduce loss of mangrove forests and estuaries

• Farm some aquaculture species in deeply submerged cages to protect them from wave action and predators and allow dilution of wastes into the ocean

• Certify sustainable forms of aquaculture

SOLUTIONS: MOVING TOWARD SOLUTIONS: MOVING TOWARD GLOBAL FOOD SECURITYGLOBAL FOOD SECURITY

People in urban areas People in urban areas could save money by could save money by growing more of their growing more of their food.food. Urban gardens provide Urban gardens provide

about 15% of the about 15% of the world’s food supply.world’s food supply.

Up to 90% of the Up to 90% of the world’s food is wasted.world’s food is wasted.

Government Policies and Food Government Policies and Food ProductionProduction

Governments use three main approaches to Governments use three main approaches to influence food production:influence food production: Control pricesControl prices to keep prices artificially low. to keep prices artificially low. Provide subsidiesProvide subsidies to keep farmers in business. to keep farmers in business. Let the marketplace decideLet the marketplace decide rather that rather that

implementing price controls.implementing price controls.

Solutions: Steps Toward More Sustainable Food Production

• We can increase food security by slowing populations growth, sharply reducing poverty, and slowing environmental degradation of the world’s soils and croplands.