World Hunger ….What are the facts?

Following is some information taken from a 1986 publication when the world population was around 4.9 billion people, not the 7 billion plus that we have today…

What are your thoughts on the following statements? With food-producing resources stretched to the limit, there’s just not enough food to go around. Unfortunately, some people just have to go hungry. The world produces enough grain to provide everyone on Earth with 3600 calories a day. Such abundance is at the expense of the soil, fuel supply, and environment. A sustainable method of food production must be implemented worldwide very soon.

Droughts and other natural events cause famine Human – made forces are making people more vulnerable to the challenges of nature. Natural catastrophes like droughts and floods and disease are not the primary cause of hunger, but rather the final blow Droughts and other natural events cause famine

Effects of Drought

Hunger is caused by too many people and not enough resources Hunger is caused by too many people and not enough resources. We must slow population growth to alleviate hunger There doesn’t seem to be a causal relationship between population density and hunger. Hunger, the most dramatic symptom of poverty, and rapid population growth occur together because they have a common cause. As economics improve for poor people, they see less need for having so many children. The best way to stabilize population and eliminate hunger is to decrease world poverty

This is no myth….we can’t do both at the same time, especially while eating meat for a large portion of our diets. A return to labor-intensive, sustainable agriculture with the recycling of natural resources will be essential We clearly cannot feed all our people and at the same time protect our environment.

The Green Revolution is the answer The Green Revolution is the answer. The miracle seeds of the Green Revolution increased yields and are key to ending world hunger. Biotechnology offers an even more dramatic food production revolution.

The Green Revolution

The second GR – biotechnology – is very promising The second GR – biotechnology – is very promising. But, increasing food production this way has hidden costs and drawbacks. Just because there is more food doesn’t mean the people that need it most will get it. The biotech companies patent their creations and the poor are unable to benefit. The 1st GR increased food production greatly through use of fertilizers and irrigation.

GOLDEN RICE

According to the WHO, 250,000 – 500,000 children go blind every year and then die from Vitamin A deficiency. Golden Rice was created by biologists in Europe – it contains 2 genes from daffodils and one from a bacterium, that makes it produce Vitamin A and makes it a possible solution for these children. The biotech companies waived their patent rights in this case.

Small farmers are almost always more productive than the large landowner. They work the land more intensively and smarter. Big farmers have the know-how to produce better. If we go back to small-scale farms, we will lower food output.

Top Aid Organizations: UNICEF WFP – World Food Programme World Vision Action Against Hunger (AAH) The Hunger Project