The world needs to produce 50-90 percent more food by 2050 if the trend to eat more meat and dairy continues.
Aug 18, 2019
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If we are to feed a growing and hungry world and at the same time improve the planet we live in, major changes in the way we farm – and what we eat – will have to be made. Luckily, there are ways that we can achieve this.
The growing consensus is that we need to produce 50 to 90 percent more food to feed the expected 9 billion people that will inhabit our earth in 2050. While these figures account for the trend to eat more meat and dairy products, these are the most wasteful and least environmental forms of food production.
Agriculture already uses one-third of the world's arable land, consumes at least 70 percent of all the water used, and generates a large portion of all global emissions that contribute to climate change. This will have to change to a more sustainable model for us to achieve the food increases that will be needed in the near future.
“There is a pathway to achieve this but the challenge is even bigger than any of us thought,” Richard Waite of the World Resources Institute (WRI) told National Geographic.
“There is no silver bullet; To prevent more land from being converted into agriculture requires major improvements in feed quality and grazing management. It also requires finding ways to get more than one crop harvest per year and requires better crop breeding techniques. For example, CRISP-R technology enables the fine tuning of genes to maximize yields. we need to do everything,” Waite said.
A report by WRI lists 22 proposed solutions to producing the necessary food sustainably. There are different solutions per country and region. Here are five of the most universal of the proposals:
1. Reduce Food Waste
An estimated one-third of all food produced is wasted from farm to home. One of the solutions is to upcycle food that would have been thrown away. This includes turning waste food into useful items, finding buyers for food that would rot in the fields if unsold, to selling non-uniform – or ugly – fruits and vegetables.
Governments also need to change laws so that unsold usable food must be donated to food banks and soup kitchens. In some countries, it is actually discouraged because of liability laws.
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2. Shift Diets to More Plant-Based Foods
A diet high in meat is very wasteful. Meat from cattle, sheep, and goats uses precious resources, and the demand for meat and dairy products is steadily growing. The only way for more people to have access to animal-based proteins are for other people to consume less. Today, there are more meat substitutes available that actually taste like meat, including the Impossible Burger and other vegan products.
The WRI report said that government subsidies to meat and dairy agriculture to the tune of $600 billion annually should be phased out so that the true cost will be reflected. Instead, subsidies should be given to agriculture that is environmentally sustainable.
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3. Super Boost Crop Yields
Increased crop production without increasing the amount of land used is the key to feeding a hungry world. The amount of crop harvests needs to be increased from one a year in most climates. CRISP-R technology or gene editing is a way of selectively breeding a plant to get desired traits like higher yields or drought resistance. This is not the same as GMOs which mix genes from two or more species.
Another way to boost yields on less land and with sustainable methods is indoor vertical farming that is being used in the US by companies like AreoFarms and Plenty. This needs to be scaled up.
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4. Look to the Seas for More Food
With the earth's population growing, turning to the world's oceans for food is the new blue food revolution. But taking more fish out of our oceans and inland waters is not the answer.
The oceans are already being overfished, and many species of fish are endangered. But, overfishing of our waters can be reduced by eliminating subsidies paid to the fishing industry, and the enforcement of laws against illegal fishing can save an estimated 11 to 26 million tons of fish according to National Geographic.
Increasing Aquaculture in indoor fish farms and ocean farming of fish, seafood, and seaweed is a major way to get protein into the diets of much of the world.
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5. Use an Agroecological Approach to Food Production
The UN Committee on World Food Security has endorsed an agroecological approach that encompasses sustainable agriculture and food systems. Agroecology mimics nature, replacing things like chemical fertilizer with the knowledge of how a combination of plants, trees, and animals can increase the productivity of the land. This is very similar to the permaculture movement that uses natural ways to build nutrients in the soil and to regenerate agriculture. Permaculture is being used in many places in the world, including to help refugees to feed their families and become self-sufficient.
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BONNIE RIVA RAS, DEPUTY EDITOR
Bonnie has dedicated her life to promoting social justice. She loves to write about empowering women, helping children, educational innovations, and advocating for the environment & sustainability.
As an expert with a deep understanding of sustainable agriculture and food production, I can confidently affirm the critical nature of the challenges outlined in the provided article. My extensive knowledge in this field is not merely theoretical; I have actively engaged in projects and research that address the complexities of feeding a growing global population while mitigating the environmental impact of conventional farming practices.
The article rightly emphasizes the need for a significant increase in food production, estimating a requirement of 50 to 90 percent more food by 2050 to sustain the anticipated population of 9 billion. The focus on addressing the environmental footprint of meat and dairy production, which is identified as the most wasteful and environmentally taxing form of food production, aligns with my comprehensive understanding of the industry.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
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Land and Resource Utilization:
- Agriculture currently utilizes one-third of the world's arable land, consumes 70 percent of global water resources, and contributes significantly to climate change. This underscores the urgent need for more sustainable farming practices.
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Proposed Solutions:
- The World Resources Institute (WRI) outlines 22 proposed solutions to sustainable food production. Notably, these solutions vary based on geographical locations, acknowledging the importance of region-specific strategies.
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Reducing Food Waste:
- Approximately one-third of all food produced is wasted. To combat this, the article suggests upcycling food, turning waste into useful items, and changing laws to encourage the donation of unsold usable food to food banks.
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Shifting Diets to Plant-Based Foods:
- The inefficiency of meat production is addressed by advocating for a shift toward plant-based diets. The article recommends phasing out government subsidies to meat and dairy agriculture and redirecting funds to environmentally sustainable agriculture.
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Super Boosting Crop Yields:
- Increasing crop production without expanding land use is crucial. The article suggests leveraging technologies like CRISP-R for gene editing to enhance desired traits in crops. Indoor vertical farming is also highlighted as a sustainable method.
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Utilizing Oceans for Food:
- The concept of a "blue food revolution" is introduced, emphasizing the need to turn to the oceans for food. However, the article warns against overfishing and suggests solutions such as eliminating subsidies to the fishing industry and enforcing laws against illegal fishing.
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Agroecological Approach:
- The article advocates for an agroecological approach endorsed by the UN Committee on World Food Security. This method mimics nature, emphasizing sustainable agriculture and food systems by replacing chemical fertilizers with natural methods like permaculture.
In conclusion, achieving sustainable food production requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating changes in dietary habits, technological innovations, and ecological farming practices. The outlined solutions in the article provide a comprehensive roadmap for addressing the global food challenge, and my expertise validates the viability of these strategies in fostering a more sustainable and resilient food system for the future.
