food Flashcards
(74 cards)
1
Q
what is undernourishment
A
lack of sufficient calories and nutrients in the diet
2
Q
what is sustainable food
A
production of food that increases yields to meet demands from future generations while protecting the environment
3
Q
what is food waste
A
food that reaches the consumer but is thrown away, not used, or goes off
4
Q
what is food loss
A
food that is lost due to its deterioration after harvest but before it reaches the consumer
5
Q
what is food security
A
when all people at all times have access to sufficient safe, and healthy food for an active life
6
Q
what is sustainability
A
meeting the needs of today without neglecting the needs of the future
7
Q
what are some sustainability issues around food
A
- extreme weather events
- food wastage
- lack of land
8
Q
why is food sustainability further complicated by future global issues
A
urbanisation
-> more people living in cities and demanding more things
9
Q
what are factors affecting food supply
A
- climate
- technology
- pests and disease
- water stress
- conflict
- poverty
10
Q
how does poverty affect food supply
A
- often don’t have enough money to buy food, which makes them weaker and less productive in work
- also can’t afford things to improve food supply, such as seeds, tools and fertilisers
- eg. Ethiopia
11
Q
how does water stress affect food supply
A
- without water, people do not have a way of watering crops, meaning they can’t provide food to the fast growing population
- other issues including floods can contaminate water supply and put agriculture under water stress conflict
- eg. Bahrain
12
Q
how does conflict affect food supply
A
- conflict and wars often lead to hunger because many farm owners leave their farms to joint the fighting or are fleeing the country
- also crops can be burnt in battle
- eg. parts of Syria and Sudan
13
Q
how does technology affect food supply
A
LIC can’t afford good technology which limits their productivity of agriculture pests
14
Q
how does pests and disease affect food supply
A
LIC can’t afford to combat problems in animals and plants
15
Q
social impacts of food insecurity
A
- conflict and social unrest
- starvation
- famine
- undernutrition
- international disputes over ownership of water supplies
16
Q
economic impacts of food insecurity
A
- conflict and social unrest
- cost of living crisis
- hyperinflation
- rising prices
17
Q
environmental impacts of food insecurity
A
soil erosion and desertification
- when food is scarce, farmers may be forced to overgraze livestock, overcultivate land, and deforestation areas to increase food production
- these actions expose the soil, making it vulnerable to wind and water erosion. this leads to loss of topsoil, which is rich in nutrients, and can turn fertile land into deserts
water shortages and pollution
- food insecurity can drive the cultivation of cash crops (grown for profit rather than local consumption). these often require large amounts of water for irrigation, straining water resources
- increased demand for water can lead to water shortages for local communities and can also impact the availability of water for other purposes, such as domestic use and wildlife
- the use of fertilisers and pesticides on cash crops can pollute water sources, further harming the environment and potentially impacting human health
increased pressure on ecosystems
- overgrazing can lead to the loss of vegetation, reducing biodiversity and damaging habitats
- deforestation for agricultural land. can disrupt ecosystems and reduce the ability of forests to regulate climate and provide other ecosystem services
18
Q
human impacts of food insecurity
A
- prices of fertilisers, animal feed, food storage and transportation have all risen
- undernutrition may occur, this is a lack of a balanced diet which results in deficiency of vitamins and minerals. south asia and sub-saharan africa have the worst problems and worldwide 805 million people are affected
- food prices rise and people in LICs and NEEs are hardest hit as they spend a large proportion of their income buying food
- food riots happen. rising food prices lead to social unrest, eg. in Algeria in 2011 there were 5 days of riots when the price of cooking oil and flour doubled
19
Q
human causes of food insecurity
A
- some countries place a ban of food exports if their own supplies run low which causes shortages elsewhere
- there are poor grain harvests due to weather, disease or pests
20
Q
what do we need to think about in terms of severity (of food insecurity)
A
- starving and undernutrition
- conflict
- poor
- harvest and water shortages
21
Q
strategies to increase food
A
- irrigation
- aeroponics
- hydroponics
- the ‘new’ green revolution
- biotechnology (GM crops)
- appropriate technology
- the impossible burger
22
Q
what is irrigation
A
- artificially watering the land
- most methods involve extracting water from rivers and underground water stores or are more large scale and involve building dams
23
Q
why does irrigation help to increase food supply
A
- gives plants water it needs to grow
- leads to increased crop yields
- it allows farmers to grow crops in regions that would otherwise be too dry or unreliable for agriculture
- improves quality of produce
24
Q
what are the challenges of irrigation
A
- cost for setting up
- increased water logging of soil
- salinisation
-> this is when soil becomes too salty for plants to grow
-> particularly problematic in arid regions where evaporation concentrates salts in the soil - demand for water can lead to conflict
25
what is aeroponics
- plants are usually grown in the air (rather than in the soil) and are sprayed with fine water mist containing nutrients
- this speeds up plant growth and allows bigger yields
26
why does aeroponics help increase food supply
- plants grow faster
- easier to ensure plants have all the nutrients they need
27
challenges of aeroponics
- expensive
- proper nutrient mixes and maintenance requires expert knowledge, which is not an option for some farmers
28
what is hydroponics
- plants are grown in water
- rots are planted in nutrient-rich water
29
why do hydroponics helps increase food supply
- plants get more nutrients
- water conservation -> ideal for places facing water scarcity
- increased yield
- reduce risk of soil-borne diseases
30
challenges of hydroponics
- expensive
- requires specialised knowledge of proper nutrient solutions, pH, and maintenance
- some systems, especially those using artificial heating and lighting, can have high energy consumption
31
what is the ‘new’ green revolution
- first green revolution was in the 1950s and involved modern technology used in the USA being shared with India to increase crops
- it focuses on sustainability and community
- involves techniques such as water harvesting, soil conservation, and irrigation
32
why does the ‘new’ green revolution help increase food supply
- increased yield
- improved nutrition
- new crop varieties are bred to withstand changing climate conditions (from climate change)
- emphasises processes that minimise environmental impact
33
challenges of the ‘new’ green revolution
- global population growing too fast for food growth
- water availability, soil health, and access to fertilisers may be limited in some regions
- disproportionately benefits large-scale farmers, increasing the gap between them and small scale farmers
- access to technology and high-quality seeds can be expensive
34
what is biotechnology (GM crops)
- uses living organisms to make or modify products to make them produce higher yields
- eg. a type of lettuce has been injected with scorpion genes to make it poisonous to certain pests
35
why does biotechnology increase food supply
- increases crop yields
- improved nutritional content (eg. golden rice which is high in vitamin A)
- more resilient to harsh environmental conditions, such as drought and salinity
- reduced pesticide usage
36
challenges of biotechnology
- environmental concerns -> concerns about impacts on biodiversity, including wild flowers, insects
- herbicide-resistant weeds may evolve that are more difficult to get rid of
- concerns about potential long-term health impacts of GM crops
- GM seeds can be expensive
- different countries have different regulations regarding GM crops, leading to interruptions in trade
37
what is appropriate technology
- using skills or materials that are cheap and easily available to increase output without putting people out of work
- this technology might involve small-scale water harvesting equipment or small farming machines to help people living in poorer parts of the world, eg. using a bicycle to make a machine which makes it easier to shell nuts
38
why does appropriate technology increase food supply
- tailored to specific needs
- sustainable
- community empowerment over development projects
- cheap
- reduce reliance on external aid
39
challenges of appropriate technology
- may require training and support for repairing and maintaining technology
- can create changes in traditional practices
- requires careful consideration of local needs
- high financial investments
40
what is the case study for a large scale agricultural development
Almeria, Spain
41
key stat for almeria
- covers 26,000 hectares
- produces 50% of Europe’s fruit and veg
- arid area - only 200mm of rainfall a year
- almost all the plants are grown using hydroponics
42
reasons for growth of almeria
- plastics have developed over time to become suitable to build greenhouses
- greenhouses owned and operated by a mixture of large businesses and individual farmers
- the average temperature is 20 degrees celsius with about 3000 hours of sun per year, meaning the crops can be grown all year round without artificial heating, unlike the UK
- most of the UK’s out of season crops such as lettuce, melons, courgettes and cucumbers are grown here
- funding has come from the EU and Spanish government and immigrant labour is cheap
43
potential issue of almeria
- grown to cover more and more land
-> covered the plain of Dalia’s and now up the valley into the nearby Alpurjarra Hills, a previously unspoilt area of spain
44
potential benefit for spain from almeria
contributes $1.5 billion to spain’s economy annually
45
advantages of Almeria
- large amounts of cheap, temporary labour from North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central America keep costs low. multiplyer effect of job creation in packing and transportation
- water efficiency has improved dramatically, especially with the use of drip irrigation, and a new seawater desalination plant opening in 2009 will supply 60,000m^3/day of fresh water to the region
- encouraged the advancement of hydroponic growing techniques and so less water is required due to drip irrigation and hydroponics
- low energy costs due to all year round warmer temperatures in the greenhouse and creates higher yield
- strict UK regulations on quality have reduced levels of chemicals used and raised production standards
- factories nearby can also gain income by producing and reusing plastic
46
disadvantages of Almeria
- underground water sources (aquifers) are drying up and any rainwater which falls does not recharge them as rainwater is harvested
- the greenhouses as a white surface have created an albedo effect, leading to the cooling of the area. Average temperatures in Spain ahve increased by 1-3 degrees celsius since 1983, but Almeria dropped by 0.3 degrees celsius
- the immigrant labour is paid very low wages and often live and work in very poor conditions and there can be conflict between different migrant groups
- the local environment has been completely changed, large amounts of litter and plastic waste are created. plastic is sometimes dumped in the sea
- discarded plastic sheeting and rubbish lies wherever blocking up river beds. the death of a sperm whale (2015) that washed up on Spain’s south coast was linked to Almeria’s greenhouses after it was found to have swallowed 17kg of plastic waste dumped into the sea
- temperatures can reach more that 45 degrees celsius inside the greenhouses. many spanish workers find it too hot to work and the conditions too brutal so the sweat-houses are staged mainly by legal and illegal immigrants from Africa and Eastern Europe
- 100,000 migrant workers with few rights. many ‘farms’ have no toilets and women are often forced into prostitution. so,me workers are also sold contracts to work, which have to be repaid to their bosses
- the Network for the Promotion of Sustainable Comsumption in European Regions estimates that workers are paid between 33 and 36 euros per day
- greenhouse production has a requirement of 800-1000mm per year in a region that receives just 200mm of annual rainfall
47
ways to increase sustainable supply of food
- permaculture
- urban farming
- sustainable meat and fish
48
what is permaculture
a system of land management and design that mimics natural ecosystems to produce food and create a sustainable environment
49
how does permaculture work
mimicking nature:
- it draws inspiration from natural ecosystems to create agricultural systems that are self-sustaining and resilient
Diversity and Interconnectedness:
- It emphasizes creating diverse ecosystems with interconnected systems, like companion planting, where different plants benefit each other
Water Management:
- Practices like rainwater harvesting and swales are used to conserve water and reduce reliance on irrigation
Soil Health:
- Permaculture focuses on building healthy soil through practices like composting and mulching, which retain moisture and suppress weeds
Reduced External Inputs:
- Permaculture aims to minimize external inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, relying on natural processes and resources
50
example of permaculture
- companion planting
- rainwater harvesting
- composting
- crop rotation to arminian soil fertility
- urban farming
- forest gardening
- organic farming
51
what is urban farming
- the cultivation, processing, and distribution of food within urban areas, including cities and towns
- this can involve growing food in various locations like allotments, rooftops, vertical farms, and even underground spaces
52
urban farming:
Food production in cities:
Urban farming involves growing crops, raising livestock, and other related activities within urban environments.
Diverse locations:
Food can be grown in a variety of places, such as allotments, rooftop gardens, vertical farms in old buildings, or even utilizing underground spaces.
Community involvement:
Many urban farming initiatives are community-based, fostering collaboration and engagement in food production.
Sustainable practices:
Urban farming can promote sustainable food systems by reducing reliance on large-scale agriculture, minimizing transportation distances, and potentially utilizing organic farming techniques.
Benefits:
Urban farming can contribute to urban greening, improve air quality, reduce the risk of flooding, and enhance urban wildlife habitats.
Social and economic aspects:
Urban farming can provide jobs and increase access to a varied diet, particularly in low-income countries
53
example of urban farming
Middlesbrough launched an urban farming scheme which encouraged many sectors of the community, including school children, to grow their own food
54
what is sustainable meat and fish
using free range methods where animals are free to roam around fields in the farm and allowing fish species to rebuild numbers before being fished again
55
how does sustainable meat and fish work
by ensuring sustainable fish stocks, minimising environmental impacts of fishing, stopping illegal fishing, managing fishing practices
56
example of sustainable fish
dolphin-friendly nets
57
what is the difference between food loss and food waste
food waste is wasted food at consumer level
food loss is edible food that’s discarded or lost along the journey from production to
58
food waste and loss key stats
USA throws away 40% of food
globally, 1/3 of food is thrown away
59
how to reduce food loss
- invest in LIC areas that are often food insecure
- buy locally grown food
- eat seasonal produce
60
how to reduce food waste
- plan meals
- be mindful of ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates
- store food correctly
- use leftovers in next meal
- donate excess good
- portion control
61
what is the case study for an NEE increasing food supply on a local scale
Jamalpur, Bangladesh
62
population of Bangladesh, Jamalpur, and UK
Bangladesh - 156 million
Jamalpur - 2.29 million
UK - 64 million
63
GDP per capital ppp of Bangladesh and UK
bangladesh - $3600
UK - $37, 700
64
% working in agriculture of Bangladesh, Jamalpur, and UK
bangladesh - 47%
jamalpur - 65.5%
UK - <1%
65
people living in poverty (less than $2 per day) of Bangladesh, and UK
bangladesh - 31.5%
UK - 16.2%
66
access to clean water of Bangladesh and UK
bangladesh - 86.9%
UK - 100%
67
life expectancy of Bangladesh and UK
bangladesh - 73.2 years
UK - 80.4 years
68
literacy rate of Bangladesh, Jamalpur, and UK
bangladesh - 61.5%
jamalpur - 38.4%
UK - 99%
69
people per doctor of Bangladesh, and UK
bangladesh - 3255 people per doctor
UK - 355 people per doctor
70
Practical Action Bangladesh:
- focus of project was to improve food and nutritional security of resource-poor farmers in Jamalpur
- purpose gave an opportunity to create social, technical and institutional environment for the target household to increase agricultural production
- project directly worked with 7500 resource-poor farm families of 79 villages
71
rice-fish culture (Practical Action Bangladesh project):
- taught about how to choose rice that was more resistant to floods
- taught how to protect fish in fields
- taught how to farm bananas and vegetables on the dykes
- all led to increased income
72
is the rice-fish strategy suitable to all places
no, because most HICs need to produce food on a large scale where large machinery is required
it only works on small scale places that don’t expect a huge profit
73
is the rice-fish strategy suitable to some countries
in Bangladesh, this strategy is suitable because it’s cheap to set up, easy to maintain and produce
also, suitable for the weather circumstances, eg. floods
74
does the rice-fish strategy only solve food supply issues on a local scale
yes because it can benefit the overall economy but is mainly beneficial for each individual farmer
