Global Concern in Food Sustainability - Essay Example

GLOBAL CONCERN IN FOOD SUSTAINABILITY Introduction Global food security sustainability relates to “when individual in all circumstances, and times have access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food to maintaining an active and health lifestyle. The world has been concerned on the aspect of food sustainability owing to the increasing rise in population, a climatic change that fails to support agriculture, and degradation of core resources (World Health Organization, 1996). The consistent degradation and scarcity of water, land, and energy resources has placed various systems of food production around the world at risk. This has posted a number of challenges in feeding a global population that is anticipated to reach over 9 million people in 2050 in accordance to a report issued by the FAO report (2014). This situation has become more apparent in developing countries where many people are vulnerable to poverty. A large part of the world today has experienced land degradation. In particular, high incidences of land degradation can be experienced in places such as North Africa, Southern Europe, Mediterranean region, West coast of America, throughout Asia, the Horn of Africa, and across the Sahel. Decrease of land and loss of soil quality has been the greatest threat, followed by water resources, renewable energy, and biodiversity. In the context of the rising, and growth of population and climatic change, there has been an equally increasing need for food, water, energy resources. These has necessitates many governments to plan and find solutions that can effectively assist in securing food, water and resources for the present, and future generations (FAO, 2012). Addressing these important issues will ensure that the three crucial securities are coordinated, and assist in not only sustainable development, but also ensure a functional ecosystem. Background information With regard to land, the World Food Programme (2013), affirms that one quarter of the earth’s land is extremely degraded while 8% is moderately degraded. On the other hand, 37% of this land is deemed to be slightly degraded or stable while 10% is ranked as improving. Water bodies (2%) cover the remaining share, while the rest of the land is bare. According to FAO, degradation is not only related to water or soil, but also other affects to the ecosystem such as loss of biodiversity. A large section of the earth is currently experiencing land, water and energy degradation. This degradation is due to the current farming practices that result into wind and water erosion, loss of topsoil compaction, organic matter, soil pollution, nutrient loss, and salinization. The increasing use of energy in food production, alongside climatic changes as also caused global warming, consequently altering the temperature pattern, flow of rivers and precipitation upon where the world’s food production relies. Owing to this, provision of adequate food for the world population that is constantly hungry has been challenging. This is more particular in developing countries where quality and sufficient land, soil, water and energy are scarce commodities. According to the state of the World’s Land and Water Resources, (SOLAW), the combined effect of these pressures as well as the agricultural transformations have resulted into many production systems to be at risk of collapsing of their productive capacity, and environmental integrity. Owing to these aspects, it is apparent that the systems, and resources may not effectively contribute to meeting the needs, and demands of the world population in terms of food needs by 2050 as envisioned. According to FAO, the impact in terms of poverty, and hunger cannot be acceptable, and this necessitates a remedial action to solve the issues. In 1960 to 2012, cropland in the world grew by only 13%. However, agricultural production increased by 150%, an increase that was attributable to increased yields of major crops. Among the warning signs that have been flagged by SOLAW is that, this growth in agricultural production has been gradually decreasing for many years. As per today, agricultural production is only half of what they were during the period of green revolution. These aspects only help in painting a gleam picture in the imbalance between the demand, and availability for land, water, and energy resources at both the local, and national levels. Aims This paper aims to a) Evaluate How Land Degradation Leads to Food Insecurity b) Discuss How Water Scarcity Causes Food Insecurity c) Scrutinize the Impact of Energy Sources on Food Security Overview The paper begin by presenting what the issue is in the introduction, the state and development of food sustainability in the background, the impact of essential resources that is land, water and energy on food sustainability and conclusion on what the study has found. Discussion While the world has experienced a notable increase in food production over the last five decades (IAASTD, n.d), Muir et al (2008) notes that achievements in many places have been related with management practices that have led to degradation of land, water and energy systems upon which the production of food is depended (17). Presently, a number of such systems and resources are facing a consistent risk of breakdown for their capacity due to a combination of unsustainable agricultural practices, and demographic pressure. Apparently, there is no particular region, which is immune from this impact. All regions including those in developed countries are affected. Similarly, the pervasiveness for land, water and energy competition are imminent in today’s perspective. This competition is seen among industrial users, urban users and those in the agricultural sector. The scarcity and soaring of food prices has mainly been associated with how we use land, energy, and water resources. The use of these resources plays a crucial role in changing the world food economy. The continued degradation of land has posed challenges to global food productions. The ever-increasing prices of oil have also influenced the rise in food prices as well as the drive in land investments especially in developing countries. Further, the swift growth in industrial and domestic water demand because of economic development and population surge, increased urbanization, and changing lifestyles has led to water scarcity in the developing world. Other factors that have led to this scarcity are variability and patterns of rainfall as well as the increasing level of water pollution (European Commission. 2013). Pollution of water especially in the developing countries, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and other places has been a common phenomenon. This pollution results into food, and water contamination, subsequently leading to diarrheal disease, a major cause of childhood ailments, and death in many countries of the developing world. A document by the Royal Society of London, (2009) affirms that food security can be sustained through sustainable intensification. Scientific development has enabled more food to be produced in the same parcel of land while at the same time decreasing environmental impact. In this perspective, it would be better to change agro-metric practices, adopting integrated pest management techniques, use of agro forestry among others. The authors of this document articulate that for an enhanced crop production, both conventional, and advanced technology should be deployed alongside developing better chemical and agronomic practices as well as measures of agro- ecological control. Sustainable intensification is aimed at improving food production on the existing agricultural land by effective use of the land, and water resources while at the same time not causing harm to them. It would also be important to consider growing food in areas that are currently considered unsuitable for agricultural purposes. This, and this can be effectively done through the use of technology. The world should also turn to alternative sources of energy for an enhanced and cheap production of food. The impact of fossil fuels, right from extraction, mining, transportation, technology use, the environment as well as the political costs has been quiet significant not only on food but also on other sectors of the economy. The consistent dwindling and ultimate depletion of these sources of energy will subsequently lead to escalation of their prices. This has been the cause why food prices are also rising. In addition, the political and environmental costs derived from the exploitation of fossil fuels necessitate the world to turn to renewable sources of energy as a cost effective means of food production. Indeed, for crop, and food demand of the increasing world population to be effectively met, despite the consistent increase in population, the only effective way is the use of the moderate intensification. A focus on upgrading the existing croplands and lands that experience low yields, adaptation of technologies that assist in producing high yields on these croplands are important elements achieving food sustainability. In addition, effective management practices could reduce the use of nitrogen. Adoption of new agro-nometical practices such as agro forest, a forestation and re-a forestation will assist in attracting rainfall, and improving water levels as well as sources of water. Realization of high yields in the extant crop lands especially in nations that experience low yields is of great significance if global food and crop demand is to be realized with reduced environmental impact. Finally, the turn on renewable sources of energy such as wind power, hydropower, solar power and nuclear energy will boost food sustainability since the cost that will be directed at sourcing energy for production will be directed for other work such as incorporation of technology. Further, renewable sources of energy have little impact on environment. It is apparent that the world food demand is rapidly growing. However, much of the current cropland in the world realizes yields that do not reflect their potential. On the other hand, the current course of agricultural improvements and expansion has serious impact for the environment. The environmental impact caused by the rising food demand ultimately depends on the course that the world agriculture develops. A trajectory of course that adopts the use and transfer of technology for high crop production in under yielding lands, such as arid and semi arid areas will be helpful in improving food sustainability. Technology will increase soil quality, ensure efficient use of nutrients globally, lead to environmentally sustainable production as well as equitable world food supplies. Conclusion From this paper, it is clear that the tight interconnection between land, water and energy makes it clear that the effective management of these important resources cannot be considered independently. Rather, these ought to be seen as an integrated system. This points to the rising concern in the world with regard to increasing scarcity and degradation of these natural resources. The increasing rise of population and food demand has no sign of slowing or ending. The essential natural resources such as land, water and energy have received immense pressure and the price of food and other basic needs have been “skyrocketing” on a regular basis. This has therefore, necessitates the designing and adoption of new mechanisms, technologies and strategies to meet the global food demand. Among the recommendations that can be given in this perspective is adoption of innovative farming practices including agro-forestry, conservation agriculture, integrated crop and animal systems, and an integrated irrigation-aquaculture system. These practices have the probability of improving the efficiency and quantity of production in addressing food insecurity, poverty, while at the same time decreasing the environmental impact. Another strategy will be to improve the efficiency of water use in agricultural purposes. Many of the irrigation systems in many parts of the world do not perform to their potential. A combination of factors such as investment in local knowledge and modern technology, improved management in irrigation scheme, knowledge development, and training can effectively increase the efficiency in water use. Reference List Charles, H. Charles J. John R. B, . Haddad, L. Lawrence,. Muir, F.J Pretty,J Sherman R, Sandy M. T, Camilla T, (n.d), ‘Food Security: The Challenge of Feeding 9 Billion People”, Available from http://www.sciencemag.org/content/327/5967/812.full.pdf European Commission. 2013. ‘Why Talk about Sustainable Food?’ European Commission on the Environment. Available from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/food.htm FAO, 2012, ‘Global Food Sustainability’, Available from http://www.fao.org/home/en/ International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development, (IAAKSTD),(n.d), ‘Food Security In a Volatile World’, Available from http://www.unep.org/dewa/agassessment/docs/10505_FoodSecurity.pdf Royal Society of London, (n.d)‘Reaping the Benefits: Science and the Sustainable Intensification of Global Agriculture’ Available from http://royalsociety.org/policy/publications/2009/reaping-benefits/ The World’s Land and Water Resources, (SOLAW), (n.d), ‘Managing systems at Risk’, Available from http://www.fao.org/nr/solaw/solaw-home/en/ World Food Program 2013. ‘Hunger’. World Food Programme. Read More