Chapter 3: Agro-business, Food Prices, and Climate Change Flashcards
How has agro-business impacted small farmers in the developing world?
Agro-business has transformed subsistence family farms into monocultures, forcing farmers to rely on world market prices for crops that they originally grew for personal consumption and local markets, often leading to financial struggles.
What is the main issue with the subsidization of large-scale farms in the U.S.?
A small percentage of U.S. farms receive most of the subsidies, contributing to the growth of large, industrial farms that dominate crop production, while leaving smaller farmers with fewer resources to compete.
What percentage of the world’s poultry, eggs, and pork is produced by factory farms?
Factory farms produce 75% of the world’s poultry, more than 66% of all eggs, and 40% of all pork.
Multiple Choice: What is one of the consequences of the agricultural subsidies in the U.S.?
A) Improved distribution of food to developing nations
B) Increased prices for consumers in the U.S.
C) Depressed world food prices and harm to small farmers in developing countries
D) Decreased production of staple crops like corn and soybeans
C
How does food waste in the U.S. contribute to environmental strain?
Food waste in the U.S. represents one-quarter of the country’s freshwater consumption and leads to the waste of approximately 300 million barrels of oil per year.
Multiple Choice: What is expected to happen to food prices in the future according to the Fifth Assessment Report by the IPCC?
A) Food prices will drop significantly
B) Food prices will rise about 14% per decade due to climate change and increased demand
C) Food prices will remain stable
D) Food prices will be more affordable for the poor
B
How is climate change expected to affect food production in tropical countries?
Climate change is damaging plants in the tropics, and the agricultural risks are greater for tropical countries, where high poverty rates and lack of adaptive capacity make them more vulnerable to climate impacts.
Why are food price increases particularly harmful to poorer countries?
Poorer countries are more affected by food price increases because of inadequate housing, exposure to extreme weather, and limited financial resources to recover from climate-induced disruptions.
How much are governments projected to need annually by 2050 to adapt to climate change?
A) $100 million
B) $400 million
C) $70 billion to $100 billion
D) $1 trillion
C) $70 billion to $100 billion
How do wealthy countries contribute to the costs of climate adaptation in poorer countries?
Wealthy countries, which emit most of the world’s greenhouse gases, are expected to bear much of the responsibility for funding climate adaptation in poorer countries, as they have the financial capacity to address these global challenges.
