We can’t even do it now, with at least 1 billion currently hungry. A new paper in Science describes how this can be done. The article is actually positive and provides solutions. The abstract reads:
Continuing population and consumption growth will mean that the global demand for food will increase for at least another 40 years. Growing competition for land, water, and energy, and the overexploitation of fisheries, will affect our ability to produce food, as will the urgent requirement to reduce the impact of the food system on the environment. The effects of climate change are a further threat. But the world can produce more food, and can ensure that it is used more efficiently and equitably. A multifaceted and linked global strategy is needed to ensure sustainable and equitable food security, different components of which are explored here.
The New Republic summarizes well and the recommendations are heavy on science and technology as a way forward. The main ideas are:
- Boost crop yields and increase production limits
- Reduce waste
- Eat less red meat
- Expand aquaculture
These recommendations are sound, but are going to require a massive rethinking to our global food system, including restructuring, major policy shifts and developing countries playing nice to the developing world. Tough tasks ahead but I think we are close to a paradigm shift.
