Lecture 3: Water and food 3

Question 1

more into the future

Answer 1

Agricultural land area may decline in industrial regions

But will need to increase further in developing regions

Leading to further loss of ecosystems and pressure on water

Where Ag. Is unsustainable food insecurity may result

Question 2

Food per capita-demand as well as total demand will continue to increase:

Answer 2

Incomes are rising (less so in Africa)

Diet is changing (more total calories) – more wheat, veg. oils, meat and sugar

Question 3

One response to food security concerns has already been seen as ‘land grab’…

Answer 3

Industrial countries buying up large leases of land in developing countries

Used for crop/biofuels/meat production

Serious ethical concerns

Question 4

In addition croplands will become unproductive because of:

Answer 4

Lack of water

Use for biofuels

Land degradation

Use for non-food crops (e.g. textiles)
Urbanisation

Question 5

Climate change may lead to further losses in food production:

Answer 5

Increased ET demand
Increased respiration losses
But:
CO2 fertilisation
Increased rainfall in some  areas

Question 6

Solutions Food:

Answer 6

Increase area of croplands (impacts)
Increase yields (impacts)

Eco-efficient agriculture
Price regulation of commodities

Removal of perverse subsidies

Reduce use of cereals and fish in animal feed

Question 7

Solutions water:

Answer 7

Increase price (value) of water
Increase supply of water
Turn waste-water into a valuable resource
Better (integrated) management
Desalinisation (energy cost)
Increase efficiency of water use

Question 8

Solution: water governance

Answer 8

Reform water governance
Evidence based policy
Institutional reform
Water rights and sharing
Better valuation and pricing of water
Improved management systems

Question 9

5 steps to double food production and reduce environmental damage by 2050

Answer 9

1. More Maize - because yield can be readily improved
2. Less meat because meat calories are inefficient and environmentally expensive
3. Close the diet gap - crops for food only and lower waste
4. Stop burning tropical forests - it is not contributing much
5. Use fertiliser more effectively because it is highly damaging