SS 11 Geography

 Production: Few countries export food (Canada, US, etc.) Number of countries importing food has risen to over 100. In general, good production has increased; however, this has only happened in countries where producing food is easy.

 Distribution: the earth can support its population, but some people have too much food, while others have too little. People who need food cannot afford it Landowners produce cash-crops (Tobacco, Poppies, etc.) rather than food Drought High population growth Hunger cycle

 Desertification: Deserts (Sahara, Kalahari, etc.) are advancing several km per year. Vast tracks of land are becoming drier than average Rapid population growth puts pressure on the land Economic priorities such infrastructure development take precedent over land conservation.

 Deforestation: Wood for fuel Soil erosion  Overgrazing: Soil exposed Water runs off  Over-cropping: Cultivation exposes soil

1) Create a “T-Chart” outlining 6 Causes of famine in Bangladesh and 3 Effects. 2) List the 7 Points of China’s food production drive. 3) According to this article, name 3 differences between China and Bangladesh (Hint: think government, religion, resources, etc.).

 Clearing Tropical rainforests Can cause environmental problems  Reclaiming Grazing Land Need irrigation, which is expensive May change culture/tradition in some societies May lower ground water levels

 The Green Revolution: increased crop production through more intensive use of land.  Improvements made in: Higher yield plants Fertilizers Water control Insecticides Mechanization Plant & animal breeding Transportation/storage/marketing  Problems: Expensive Distorting gene pool of plants.

 Food from the Ocean: Problem: over-fishing  Aqua-culture: Fish farms Fish hatcheries Problems: Not efficient High cost Water pollution/disease  Synthetic Food Production (Pills) Problems: Unknown? Cost

 New Food Crops: 20,000 types of food plants exist People only eat approx. 100 types 22 of the types feed the majority of the world’s population. Problem: Difficult to change peoples habits.  Waste: reduce the amount of food waste