CH 9: food and hunger

concerns about Pest Resistance and Weed Control

Spread of genes into wild populations leading to resistance in pests Effect on nontarget species

top 10 obese cities in US

1. Miama, FL 2. Oklahoma City, OK 3. San Antonio, TX 4. Las Vegas, NV 5. New York, NY 6. Houston, TX 7. El Paso, TX 8. Jacksonville, FL 9. Charlotte, NC 10. Louisville-Jefferson, KY

how many children die every year? every second?

6 million children under 5 die every year (one every 5 seconds!)

FAO predicts that ...

70% of growth in future agricultural production will come from higher yields and new crop varieties

how much fish do we harvest each year

95 million metric tons (roughly the same amount produced by fish farms)

vitamin A deficiencies

A affects as many as 140 million children and 350,000 go blind each year.

food security

Ability to obtain sufficient food on a daily basis poverty is the greatest threat to food security the 1.5 billion people in the world who live on less than $1/day can't afford to buy the food they need and can't grow it themselves

contribution of rich countries to famines

Aid policies of rich countries often serve to distribute surplus commodities and produce feeling of generosity BUT... Herding people into feeding camps is counterproductive. Many die on the way, others die in epidemics or from violence, and they cannot replant their crops when weather returns to normal. So it does nothing to help them survive in the long run.

genetically modified organisms (some benefits)

Can produce crops with pest-resistance and wider tolerance levels to frost, drought, low nutrient soils, salty soils, etc. Can improve protein or vitamin content of crop (golden rice enriched with vitamin A) Can incorporate oral vaccines into foods such as bananas for use in developing nations Animals can be modified to grow faster or produce pharmaceuticals in their milk.

role of GMOs in pest resistance or herbicide tolerance

Biotechnologists have recently created plants containing genes for endogenous insecticides A gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) makes toxins that are lethal to butterflies and beetles. These genes have been transferred into corn, potatoes and cotton. Reduces pesticide use and increases yield. (Bt resistance has become a problem)

CPR

Conservation Reserve Program (CPR) Pays farmers to not farm erodible land Contracts ending Shift payments from subsidies to conservation programs that support family farms "whole farm" Environmental management be required

safety of GMOs

Environmental and consumer groups have campaigned against transgenic organisms. European nations have bans on GMOs U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to require labeling of foods containing GMOs. New varieties are "substantially equivalent" to related traditionally-bred varieties. ultimately, GM food may be safe for consumers but risky for producers because farmers because they must commit to more costly herbicides, pesticides, and seeds

opponents of GMO's worry that ...

GMOs might produce superweeds resistant to pesticides. Native biodiversity may be reduced. Novel toxins might be created. Technology may only be available to the rich, making family farms uncompetitive and driving poor nations further into poverty. You are already eating GMOs as 60% of processed food in the U.S. contains GMOs.

transgenic crops

Genetically modified organisms are also called transgenic organisms. Transgenic crops can be engineered to tolerate high levels of pesticides. -Roundup Ready and Liberty Link are two most popular. Crops can grow in the presence of the pesticides (called Roundup and Liberty) while weeds within the field are killed.

Norm Borlaug

Green Revolution started by Norm Borlaug. Dwarf, high yielding wheat and rice grown around the world.

food availability has increased because of (5)

Irrigation Fertilizer Distribution biotechnology increased crop varieties

the green revolution

Most major improvements in farm production have come from technological advances and modification of a few well-known species. replaced traditional crop varieties and growing methods throughout the developed world, and nearly half of all farmers in the developing world were using green revolution seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides Corn yields jumped from 25 bushels per acre to 130 per acre in last century.

meat consumption

People in rich countries eat too much meat, salt, sugar and saturated fat and not enough fiber, vitamins, and minerals. in developing countries, meat consumption has risen (since 1960) from 10kg to 26kg per person in the US, it has risen from 90 kg to 136 kg Modern breeding techniques provide cattle resistant to heat and tropical diseases BUT carving pastureland out of tropical forests and savanna reduces biodiversity and causes conflicts as landless farm workers are forced into shantytowns.

key food sources in cool, moist climates and in warm, wet climates

Potatoes, barley, oats and rye are staples in cool, moist climates Cassava, sweet potatoes, and other roots and tubers are staples in warm, wet climates.

with increased production, there are more risks... what are they?

Soil erosion Bacteria Antibiotics - more than ½ of all antibiotics used in U.S. are for livestock More government support Consumption of proteins and calories has risen What to do? What to do?

some examples of sustainable food

Reduce dependence on oil, antibiotics, pesticides etc. Grass-fed beef Rotating animals Family farms vs. "corporate" farming Local vs. shipped

people who are hungry often get stuck in a cycle of poverty...

Starving people cannot get out of poverty Starving people eat their own grain and breeding stock....

Three crops deliver majority of world's nutrients

Wheat, Rice and Corn

Confined animal feeding operations (CAFO)

animals are housed and fed, mainly on soy and corn, for rapid growth. system to maximize the growth rate. dominate in US, Europe, and China housed in giant enclosures with tons of other animals High density of animals requires constant use of antibiotics, leading to antibiotic resistance in microbes. (over 11million kg of antibiotics are added to feed annually) takes about 16 times as much fossil fuel to produce a kg of beef as it takes to produce a kg of rice or vegetables

famines

are characterized by large-scale food shortages, massive starvation, social disruption, and economic chaos. Starving people eat their own grain and breeding stock in a desperate attempt to stay alive Mass migrations often occur because productive capacity has been sacrificed and starving people travel to refugee camps in search of food and medical care Environmental conditions are immediate trigger, but armed conflict and political oppression are underlying causes.

the first GM animals for human consumption

atlantic salmon (growing quickly)

antibiotic resistance

constant exposure to antibiotics produces strains of bacteria that are resistant to these drugs. simple case: most of a population is killed off by an antibiotic, but a few resistant individuals are unaffected, and these strains grow and thrive. increasingly common around livestock operations, as well as in hospitals. 23,000 Americans die each year from resistant infections several european countries have phased out the use of antibiotics for livestock except in emergencies

effects of ethanol fuel productions

corn prices jumped from 2 to $5 a bushel, and wheat and other grains followed in the excitement. drove many bakers and pasta makers out of business

effects of palm oil boom

driving accelerated deforestation and wetland drainage across malaysia, indonesia, ecuador, columbia, and other palm oil producing regions, leading to further social and environmental repercussions palm oil was a cooking staple for poor families across asia and the price doubled

average population growth (%) & average food production (%)

during the past 40 years, population growth has averaged 1.7% per year, while food production increased an average 2.2%

some environmental immediate triggers of famines

earthquakes, droughts, severe storms, and other natural disasters. bad weather, insect outbreaks, and other things cause food shortages

things that trigger spikes in food prices

floods, drought, storms. food prices are driven by nonfood demands for crops (ethanol production)

farmers are caught in a bind ...

for every $1 the US government pays them to conserve soil and manage nutrients, it pays $7 to support row crop commodities that cause erosion and destroy soil quality through intensive cultivation and chemical use

Kwashiorkor

from a lack of protein. occurs mostly in children who are sustained on cheap, starchy foods means displaced child. deprived of nutritious breast milk when a baby is born. puffy, discolored skin and a bloated belly. Reddish-orange hair Edema - severely bloated stomach Chronic liver disease

chronically undernourished (and numbers)

getting less than the minimum 2,200 kcal/day In 1960, 60% of the population of developing countries (1 billion) Fallen to less than 14% today (850 million)

dairy consumption

globally we consume more than twice as much dairy as meat

consumption averages (kcal)

globally, 3000 kcal/day residents of industrialized countries consume over 3,500 each day

overweight statistics

globally, nearly 2 billion adults are overweight. 39% of world's adult population more than twice as many people are overweight than underweight

much of the increase in food production is due to...

government support for agricultural education, research, and development projects that support irrigation systems, transportation networks, crop insurance, and direct subsidies

high responders

green revolution breeds yield more than other varieties if and only if they have steady inputs of fertilizer, water, and pest control If these are lacking, modern crops may not produce as well as traditional crops. Poor farmers may be left out of the green revolution.

aquaculture

growing aquatic species in net pens or tanks can involve farmed marine species, such as salmon or tuna, or freshwater fish in ponds about 1/3 of all wild caught fish is used as food for fish in aquaculture operations (ocean fish require wild caught fish) destroys mangrove forests and wetlands on coasts which are used as nurseries for all marine species allows the spread of disease releases large quantities of feces, antibiotics and other pollutants

dredges

heavy iron frame, often with rakes attached, to dredge up shellfish and other bottom dwelling animals, which are caught in a net attached to the dredge

hope for controlling fishing

hope is better monitoring, including satellite imagery and increased international regulation, as well as increasing the establishment of no fishing zones

more important questions than whether we have enough food

how can we improve access to food, how do we provide the right kinds of food, and what are the environmental costs of food production systems?

antibiotic use in any system

in any system that confines animals to a small space, infections and disease are likely. fish farms, feedlots, large dairy herds, and pig and poultry operations all rely on antibiotics help livestock put on weight faster. mixed with feed for a constant, low dose.

growing rates of obesity result partly from

increased consumption of oily and sugary foods and soft drinks, and lifestyles that involve less walking, less physical work, and more leisure another is the economic necessity for food producers to increase profits constant exposure to advertising food insecurity and poverty can also contribute to obesity (lack of good quality food may contribute to a craving for carbohydrates in people with a poor diet)

risks of being overweight

increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart attack stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, and some cancers

downside of food supplies increasing

increasing overweight and obese populations. some 64% of americans are overweight and one third of us are obese

polyculture

inland enclosed ponds mixed species of herbivores or filter feeders can help Ecologically balanced (carp) Eliminate pollution Stop the spread of disease Raise yields by 50%

anemia

insufficient hemoglobin in the blood usually caused by Iron deficiency, the most common dietary imbalance in the world. Increases risk of death from hemorrhage in childbirth and affects development Red meat, eggs, legumes, and green vegetables are all good sources of iron.

trawling

involves dragging a large net, often more than 50 m wide and 10m tall. bottom trawlers drag nets along the sea floor to catch shrimp. efficient, but nets destroy sensitive habitats, including spawning ground for reproduction produces tremendous amounts of bycatch, can be up to 98% of catch (unwanted catch, thrown back dead or dying) bycatch can be kept to use as feed in fish farms

Marasmus

lack of all food shortage of both calories and protein. generally chin and shriveled. low resistance to infections and may suffer lifelong impacts on mental and physical developments. to waste away Very thin, shriveled "skin and bones" Dry, loose skin Alternating layers of pigmented and non-pigmented hair

livestock contribution to greenhouse gases

livestock produce 20% of the world's greenhouse gases, more than is produced by transportation. we could cut energy consumption more if we gave up 1/5 of our meat than if we all started driving hybrid electric prius'

seafood

main protein source for about 1.5 billion people in developing countries. locally caught fish. introduction of freezer technology allowed factory ships to harvest oceans and bring back huge volumes of frozen fish since the 1980's all major marine fisheries have declined dramatically. 90% of fisheries are overfished or depleted , and have become commercially unstable If current practices continue, the world's fisheries will be exhausted by 2048-50

food security within families

males get the largest amount and most nutritious food while women, who need the most, get the poorest share

saltwater (marine) aquaculture

net pens are anchored in nearshore areas, where open water circulates through, removing feces and uneaten food particles introduce diseases, pollution, and antibiotics into surrounding ecosystems

Malnourishment

nutritional imbalance caused by a lack of specific dietary components or an inability to absorb or utilize essential nutrients food insecure people can't afford the protein, fruits, and vegetables that would ensure a balanced diet; instead, they eat starchy foods like corn, rice, and tapioca that may give them enough calories but lack sufficient protein, vitamins, and trace minerals

what makes up most of the food humans eat

only about a dozen types of seeds and grains, three root crops, 20 common fruits and vegetables, six mammals, and two domestic foul

a good variety of foods includes

plain simple food that is mostly plants. whole grains and vegetables, with only sparing servings of meat, dairy, fats, and sweets

how politics and economics contribute to famines

policies that favor the elite can make it impossible for poor people to stay on the land and grow food. war and political oppression drive people from their farms. armed conflict and political oppression almost always are at the root of famine. "no democratic country with a relatively free press has ever had a major famine"

obese

quantified in terms of the BMI calculated as weight/height^2 a BMI greater than 25kg/m^2 is overweight greater than 30kg/m^2 is obese

genetic engineering

removes DNA from one organism and splices it into the chromosomes of another. Produces genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with new traits. much faster than cross breeding methods. dominant gene transfers involve either pest resistance or herbicide tolerance

Food production policies

rich countries pay their farmers $350 billion per year Agricultural subsidies encourage surpluses and allow American farmers to sell products overseas at prices below production costs. Most aid goes to just a few crops such as corn, wheat, soybeans, rice and cotton. Aid encourages intensive farming of land which encourages erosion. Able to send products overseas at 20% below production costs $38 million to one operation in Arkansas over a 5 year period

less expensive methods for low income farmers

soil can be enriched with nitrogen fixing plants and manure. rotating crops and interplanting crops reduces pest dispersal.

goiter

swollen thyroid gland. caused by lack of iodine. stunted growth and mental impairment

problems with regulating fishing industry

the trade is global and difficult to track and much of the seafood you eat may be caught illegally or unsustainably

a leading argument in favor of GMOs

the world needs the best available, high yielding varieties to food the 9 billion people who will soon share our planet corn is used to feed animals, reducing the cost of meat as well

three major commercial fishing techniques

trawling, long lining, and seining

longlining

uses a central fishing line that can be up to 50 miles long. this line is strung with shorter lines with multiple baited hooks every few meters. single lonline might have 25,000 hooks. set near surface

pure seining

uses a huge net to surround a school of fish. the bottom of the net is then pulled closed, something like a drawstring backpack. used to catch tuna, sardines, herring, and mackerel. can be a problem for dolphin populations if they don't escape before net is closed

effect of climate change on food systems

warming climate will reduce yields in many major crops. suffer from heat in 2 ways: 1. they produce seeds and plant biomass best within temperature ranges of a few degrees 2. plants transpire (release) moisture more in hot conditions, this moisture cools plants but increases water demand. there will be a greater need for irrigation.