Hurdles in the Global Food System
Introduction
In a nutshell, global food production can be defined as the cycle of producing, processing, and distributing food across the world. The concept of food security, as outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization, comprises four aspects; the availability of food, access to food, food utilization for well-being purposes, and the stability of the previously stated dimensions over time. Nonetheless, the current state of the global food system faces significant inequalities and hurdles that inhibit diverse food security. The inconsistencies also have notable consequences for consumers and the natural environment. Water plays an integral role in preventing hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity, as approximately 70% of global water is dedicated to irrigation. Along with other inputs like fertilizers, soil, and irrigation systems, water promotes a sustainable agriculture-led economy. This paper encapsulates the discrepancies in the current global food system, highlighting how they affect communities from different geographical regions. It also analyzes the impacts of the availability of water in ensuring the adequate production and distribution of food around the globe.
Challenges Facing the Global Food System
Climate Crisis
Around the world, farmers are facing extreme climatic changes that continue to ravage farming lands and pastures. For instance, in the U.S, climatic changes like increased downfalls make it challenging to implement consequences like flooding and severe soil erosion for farmlands in the Midwest. Soon, drought, wildfire, and severe heat are projected to cause a significant disruption of agricultural productivity, including food security, distribution, and pricing.
Indeed, the current and forecasted climatic changes will disrupt the industrial food system significantly in the future (Lappe, 2010). However, the life of the entire industry depends heavily on the planet’s ability to replenish the climate. The food system is still functional, as billion of people still depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. But, a sustainable procurement chain for food can only be maintained if the ideal climatic conditions are restored. There seems to be a promise for a better future as people globally continue to leverage ecological science to deliver breakthroughs. Also, numerous publications and artistic works have opened society’s eyes to the dark side of the industrial food system. People are growing to understand the consequences of various actions and how they ultimately affect the global food system.
Most people associate global warming with carbon dioxide emissions, which is justifiable. Technically, man-made emissions account for 76.7% of greenhouse gases, but they don’t trump other sources (Lappe, 2010). For instance, the production of methane and nitrous oxide from agricultural practices like livestock farming makes up a significant portion of greenhouse gases. The most lethal impact of greenhouse gases is trapping heat and eventually contributing to global warming. Methane, in particular, is more destructive as it breaks down quicker than carbon dioxide leaving more damage across time-horizons. One potential factor for hope is the ability of soil to absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a process called carbon sequestration, which helps in deterring global warming. However, the planet can’t rely on the process to heal, mainly because destructive human-made activities continue to grow unprecedently.
Chemical Pollution
Among the developments after the World War was the inventive applications of chemicals in farming. For instance, the chemical compound DDT, famously used to kill lice in the war, began being used in farmlands to kill pests (Lappe, 2010). Despite its effects on wildlife and vegetation, DDT isn’t the only chemical that poses threats to global climate and food production. The synthesis process of accepted pesticides used in modern-day agriculture consumes notable volumes of fossil fuel energy. Also, the dependency on chemicals leads farmers to practice monoculture, as opposed to controlling pests and weeds using plant diversity. Most pesticides are also petroleum-based, which further encroaches fossil fuel reserves.
Global Water Crisis
“The world is running out of fresh water! (Barlow, 2007, p 1)” Indeed, Barlow (2007) predicted correclty that water would become a priceless commodity in the 21st century and a cartel would rise to claim profits from water trade. In the last two decades, coflicts over freshwater sources have invloved agencies and organizations around the world, including the UN, the World Bank, IMF, and the World Trade Organization, to name a few. All these instituions have passed water as a tradable commodity, as well as collaborating to provide infrustructure to support the commercialization. On the other side of the struggle lies native farmers, enviromentalists, human rights activists, and millions of dependent individuals who all struggle to manage local water sources.
Pollution
Similar to farmlands and soil, freshwater faces a the risk of permanent destruction due to various human-made effects. In the last half-century humans have enchroched the natural cycle of making water, which has resulted in an unprecedented pollution of water collection areas. In essence, the world still has ample water, but the volume of freshwater is decreasing by the day. According to Barlow (2007), 90% of wastewater is released into the riverbasin, which includes rivers, natural dams, and coastal waters. Also, there is a significant surge in the global consumption of runoff water, where humans leave very little to the ecosystem.
In China, for instance, approximately 80% of rivers are dying and can no longer support aquatic life or irrrigation. Also, majority of underground river beds have been exposed to contaminants. Consequently, China has seven of the most polluted cities under its name, leaving majority of the residents with no access to clean drinking water. WHO estimates that around 1.3 billion inhabitants of China can’t obtain water that passes even the minimum safety standards. Today most Chinese cities have reported water shortages, resulting from pollution, with some facing a risk of depletion in the longterm. Industries in China have been accustomed to pumping wastewater into natural collection areas like rivers and lakes, which birthed the catastrophe.
Besides pollution, urbanization has also played an integral role in depreciating global water volumes. According to Barlow (2007), urban sprwal and the destruction of green spaces, damages the hydrologic cycle and reduces volumes of water in natural systems and soil. Consequently, less water evaporates into the atmosphere and consequently damages the natural flow of water. Precipitation is essential as it helps to moderate weather and the effects of temparature. However, combined with draining rainwater into oceans, eradicating vegetation causes global warming and greenhouse emissions by reducing the evaporation of water into the atmosphere.
Conclusion
Indeed, there seems to be a looming shortage of adequate food and freshwater in the next two decades. Humans continue to utilize destructive industrial practices that damage the hydrological cycle, which reduces the chances of achieving an agricultre-led economy. Though affected by distinct factors, water pollution and the destruction of the global food cycle are relatively intertwinned and can only be solved through collective approaches. Society needs to understand that the globe is running out of fresh water and food, and the ultimate solution is to heal the climate. All the damage inflicte on water sources and the food cycle seems to be human-made, and humans need to find one voice to guide industrial policies.
References
Barlow, M. (2007). Blue Covenant. New York, United States: The New Press.
Lappe, A. (2010). Diet for a Hot Planet. London, United Kingdom: Bloomsbury.