Chapter 15 Hunger and the Global Environment Nutrition: Concepts & Controversies, 12e Sizer/Whitney

Learning Objectives Discuss the double health threat from undernutrition and obesity, and suggest reasons why this might occur among a single group of people. Speculate as to how reducing a family’s hunger level can lead to more positive outcomes for health, educational, and social well-being of the family.

Learning Objectives Explain why people in poverty are inclined to have larger families in spite of the scarcity of food. Describe why producing enough food for people and livestock presents problems for the environment. Define the term ecological footprint, and describe ways to lesson one’s own ecological footprint.

Introduction Food insecurity High food security Very low food security Low food security Marginal food security High food security Contrast amongst countries

Global Undernutrition and Overnutrition

Hunger Plagues both developed and developing nations Food crisis Malnutrition and hunger have risen sharply

Hunger in the United States Primary cause of hunger Food poverty Factors that increase likelihood Limited nutritious foods Consequences Poverty-obesity paradox Food deserts Recognizing hunger

The Poverty-Obesity Paradox

U.S. Food Programs Directed at Stopping Domestic Hunger 1 in every 6 Americans receives food assistance of some kind Nationwide efforts WIC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Community efforts Food recovery Food banks, food pantries, emergency kitchens

Tips for Thrifty Food Shopping

What is the State of World Hunger? Staggering statistics “Poorest poor” Comparison to U.S. house cat Biofuels Women and children Usually the “poorest poor” Cycle of hunger, malnutrition, and poverty Poverty, hunger, and childbearing

Hunger Hotspots

What is the State of World Hunger? Famine Natural causes Political and social causes Chronic hunger & malnutrition Deficiencies Iodine, vitamin A, zinc consequences

The World Food Supply and the Environment Challenges to banishing hunger for all Provide enough food for expanding population, without … Ensure all people have access to enough food to…

Threats to the Future Food Supply Hunger, poverty, & population growth Loss of food-producing land Accelerating fossil fuel use Atmosphere & global climate changes

Threats to the Future Food Supply Ozone loss from the outer atmosphere Water shortages Ocean pollution * No part of the world is insulated against future food shortages

Environmental Degradation and Hunger Poor people often destroy the very resources they need for survival Soil erosion and grazing lands Deforestation Economic development and animal foods Diminishing wild fisheries Overfishing Increase in ocean temperatures

Environmental Degradation and Hunger Aquaculture – fish farms Concerns Escapees Diseases & parasites Nutrient pollution Chemical pollution Wild habitat loss

Environmental Degradation and Hunger Climate, air, and fresh water Greenhouses gases Sources Impact of global temperature increases Water stress Overpopulation Carrying capacity of the earth

Water Stress Hotspots

A World Moving Toward Solutions Elimination of hunger Sustainable development Poor countries Wealthy countries

Reducing Hunger Drives Beneficial Outcomes

How Can People Engage in Activism & Simpler Lifestyles at Home? Government action Promote sustainability Private and community enterprises Educators and students Food and nutrition professionals Individuals Small decisions at home have large environmental impacts

Toward Sustainable Food Production: How to Go Forward? Controversy 15

Costs of Current Food Production Methods Impacts on land and water Clear land, fertilizers, rain or irrigation Dead zones Depletion of water supply Soil depletion Deforestation and overgrazing Loss of species Protection of biodiversity

Costs of Current Food Production Methods Fuel use and energy sources Fossil fuels Biofuels Energy waste

The Problems of Livestock and Fishing U.S. meat production Feedlots Grain World trends in meat consumption Increased meat and dairy consumption Overfishing and species depletion

Pounds of Grain Needed to Produce 1 Pound of Bread & 1 Pound of Animal Weight Gain

A Sustainable Future Starts Now Sustainable agriculture A system Low-input and precision agriculture Integrated pest management (IPM) Global positioning satellite (GPS) Soil conservation U.S. Conservation Reserve Program

A Sustainable Future Starts Now The potential of genetic engineering Genetically engineered crops and animals Preserving genetic diversity of food Energy conservation Consumption and production of energy must change Energy recycling

Roles of Consumers Keeping local profits local Farm share Eating lower on food chain More plants, less animals “Ecological Footprint”