Global Food Security Sustainable Futures Challenge 27 April 2015 Dr Will Simonson Coordinator, GFSI Global Food Security a Strategic Research Initiative of the University of Cambridge Neil Palmer (CIAT)

Global Food Security Present challenges: One in eight people are chronically under-nourished We are eating into the planet’s natural capital Future challenges: Population set to expand to > 9 billion by 2050 Economic development raises living standards but also resource consumption Climate change effects on agricultural production are uncertain Why Global Food Security? 2

Global Food Security Why Global Food Security? 3 Godfray et al., 2010, Science

Global Food Security The challenges Balancing future demand and supply sustainably Addressing the threat of future volatility in the food system Ending hunger Meeting the challenges of a low emissions world Maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services while feeding the world 4 The Government Office for Science, 2011, Foresight: The Future of Food and Farming

Global Food Security Food system ACTIVITIES Producing Processing & Packaging Distributing and retailing Consuming SOCIOECONOMIC DRIVERS Changes in: Demographics, Economics, Socio- political context, Cultural context, Science & Technology Environmental feedbacks e.g. water quality, GHGs Food system Socioeconomic feedbacks e.g. livelihoods, consumer advocacy DRIVERS’ interactions GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE DRIVERS Changes in: Land cover & soils, Atmosphere, Climate, Water availability, Nutrient cycling, Biodiversity, Sea currents & salinity, Sea level Food system OUTCOMES Contributing to: Food Security, Environmental Security, and Other societal interests Food Utilisation Food Availability Food Access Social welfare Environ. capital Based on Ericksen 2008, Global Environmental Change 5

Global Food Security Research themes Plant biology: understanding plant development, hybrid vigour and photosynthesis to breed high- yielding crops in changing climates Infectious diseases: control of plant disease, influenza- resistant strains of poultry, food-borne zoonoses Political economy of hunger and food supply: drawing lessons from historical analyses of famine, role of political structures in the food system, archaeological evidence for innovation 6

Global Food Security Research themes Supply chains: innovation in food supply, evaluating how food crises are driven by environmental, demographic, economic or political factors Food and health: metabolism, improving nutrition, reducing diet-related disease Food landscapes: biodiversity, land-sparing, water and ecosystems services, soil management 7

Global Food Security Research themes Modelling: consequences of competing demands on land and sea for food, biodiversity, water, energy, climate stability Global governance: BRIC countries, international politics, rising powers Land resources and regulatory influences: economics of land use change, impact of demographic & climate change on future policy drivers 8

Global Food Security Increasing the quantity and quality of food security relevant research Influencing the future research agenda Communicating about food security, including education and outreach Supporting activities of students and early career researchers 9 Key objectives & activities

Global Food Security The fifth seminar of the Food Futures in the World series 2015 Can GM crops help to feed the world? Wednesday 6 May 2015 Professor Sir Brian Heap Research Associate, Centre for Development Studies, University of Cambridge, former Master of St. Edmund’s College, and Project Leader, Biosciences for Farming in Africa 1.00 pm in the Biffen Lecture Theatre, Department of Genetics, Downing Site 10

Global Food Security Global Food Security to 2050 A seminar of the Tropical Agriculture Association (TAA) supported by the Global Food Security Initiative, CambPlants and The Humanitarian Centre 14th May 2015, 2-6pm Dr Bojana Bazjelj (Cambridge University Engineering Dept) Prof Amir Kassam (University of Reading & FAO) Dr Gottlieb Basch (University of Evora, Portugal) Hughes Hall, Pavilion Room, Wollaston Road, Cambridge CB1 2EW 11

Global Food Security For more information Global Food Security a Strategic Research Initiative of the University of Cambridge