One cannot imagine anything more exciting than a food security session where science meets one of the greatest challenges in human history, feeding the world, now and in the future. Today’s session (Symposium III—21st Century Challenge: Feeding 9 Billion) commenced with a great introductory talk by UK Champion for Global Food Security, Professor Tim Benton. The severe environmental challenges if the 21st Century where defined, focusing on sustainability.
Some scary numbers and projections, in case you don’t remember, included:
- To keep up with the growing population we will have to produce more than we ever have
- Europe wastes more food than the entire Sub-Saharan region produces
- 40% of food in America is wasted
The importance of the next talk was picked up by Mother Nature herself, sending us a thunder loud enough to cause a moment of silence.
After this truly stimulating symposium we are all obliged to return back to our labs, homes, and workplaces to optimize either the genes, the environment, or the management side of the equation. After all, if we cannot contribute to the aforementioned, simply changing our cravings and diets is already of help.
Keeping in mind Jevons paradox, we have to start looking for solutions before it is too late. Efficiency gains no doubt provide us with time to make the entire economy more sustainable. Fundamentally we have to redefine the problem, divide it, and conquer it. Each one of us can make a difference so crucial and we are here to make another world after all.
And if one doesn’t believe me
Think of this
“If you think you’re too small to make a difference you haven’t spent a night with a mosquito.”
If this session doesn’t leave one inspired, I doubt anything will. I find myself vehemently eager to listen to the upcoming Part B concerning resilience.