Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future Richard T. Wright The Production and Distribution of Food PPT by Clark E. Adams Chapter 9
Dec 17, 2015
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