7.3.6 Flashcards
What is a global food system?
The global food system encompasses all the activities that are involved in the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food throughout the world
What are the negative impacts of global food system?
Environmental impacts include greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, soil degradation, and water contamination
Socially, it causes major health problems: More than 800 million people are experiencing chronic hunger while approximately 650 million people are living with obesity
It also creates vast amounts of waste: Approximately one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted
What technology TNCs use to meet the rising demand for food?
NCs have looked to technology to help them increase production and meet demand
One example is the use of Genetically Modified (GM) crops which have been developed to increase yield and improve resistance to disease and drought etc.
GM crops are used widely in USA accounting for 92% of soybeans, 93% of cotton and 97% of corn
Another example is the use of advanced irrigation systems to increase water use efficiency, reduce waste and increase yields
Drip irrigation applies water directly to plant roots and can reduce water use by up to 60%
TNCs also use artificial additives in processed foods to improve flavour, appearance and shelf-life
Outline pattern and effects of Palm Oil production
Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest producers accounting for more than 80% of all palm oil production
Fires to clear land and create plantations are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia
Rainforest clearance is destroying the habitat of orangutans, Sumatran tigers and Sumatran rhinos, threatening them with extinction
Some of the world’s largest TNCs such as Nestlé and Unilever use significant amounts of palm oil in their products
These TNCs often get involved in palm oil production and there have been reports of forced evictions of indigenous people from their land to make way for plantations
What Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has in aim and what actions it employs to achieve them?
It sets environmental and social standards for producers to meet such as protecting high-value biodiversity areas and respecting the rights of indigenous people and local communities
RSPO certified sustainable palm oil now accounts for over 20% of global palm oil production, with the largest market being Europe
Large TNCs have supported the shift to sustainable palm oil e.g. Unilever committed to sourcing 100% of its palm oil from sustainable sources by 2023
