Option F Chapter 4 Flashcards
explain the increase in food waste as countries go through the nutrition transition
As a country develops economically more food waste is generated. This occurs because crude harvesting methods cause waste, and poor infrastructure means that produce is frequently handled inappropriate and stored under unsuitable conditions. Bruising and decay result in the case
of fruit and vegetables, but other crops may be damaged; losses of rice can be up to 80% in less developed parts of Asia.
In HICs food waste could be minimized by:
* buying locally
* consuming imperfect (bruised and misshapen) produce
* eating local foods in season
* composting waste food.
outline the possible solutions to food insecurity
- at the household level, annual storage of surplus food
- intensification using pesticides and artificial fertilizers; this has adverse environmental consequences
- extensification by putting a greater
area of land under production; this is environmentally undesirable with continuous urbanization - GM crops
- vertical farming
- in vitro farming.
explain how waste production may prevent food insecurity
- Water supply may be guaranteed by irrigation.
- Greenhouse light and heating allows for a longer growing season.
- Infertile soils can be fertilized.
- Drainage can reduce flooding.
- Irrigation provides essential water.
- Insecticides, herbicides and fungicides can eradicate pests.
examine the ways in which food production may be increased
Case study – Bangladesh. Problems of food production:
* Land scarcity
* Natural hazards
* Poverty
Improvements since 1970:
* Government investment in HYVs and irrigation for rice production.
* Better storage and infrastructure have also helped to overcome problems of food insecurity..
* Self-sufficiency exists in rice, eggs, potatoes, vegetables meat and fish production, but insecurity still remains at the household level and 50 million people are still food insecure in Bangladesh.
outline the advantages and disadvantages of vertical farming
With rapid urbanization in LICS, vertical farming is a means of producing food all year in high-rise buildings.
Advantages:
* Involves no carbon-emitting transport.
* Food supplies are secure where no transport is involved.
* Indoor production does not involve the use of pesticides.
* The plants use 98% less water than conventional farming methods.
Disadvantages:
* Electrical consumption is very high.
* It is too technically advanced for many LICs.
* It is too costly to be a quick solution to food insecurity.
compare the relative merits of in vitro meat production with conventional livestock farming
Conventional livestock farming involves a large amount of land and has environmental impacts such as methane (GHG) production. Some would argue that compared to conventional farming in vitro is unnatural and may not be acceptable to some people and therefore not economically viable.
Two months of in vitro production could deliver up to 50,000 tons of meat from 10 pork muscle cells. This in vitro production does not involve the slaughter of animals therefore it is more humane.
examine the political issues involved in GM food production
Transnational biotechnology companies are taking over global food production and more power should be given to farmers and consumers. The dominance of North American biotechnology companies has threatened the self-sufficiency of some farmers in the LICs.
Strict regulatory laws in the EU restrict adoption of GM crops and their sale.
GM crops might, if allowed, have relieved famine in Zambia in 2003.
In some countries such as Venezuela, GM crops are banned.
explain the merits of disease prevention as opposed to treatment. refer to at least one disease
The incidence of degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, has increased dramatically during the last 40 years. It brings other secondary conditions such as blindness and circulatory problems.
There are two approaches to treatment; lifestyle modifications; controlling diet (sugar) and taking plenty of exercise to prevent disease in the first place. This approach is recommended by the WHO and is less costly than medical alleviation of symptoms by the use of drugs. The more technological aspects of treatment involving blood sugar monitoring are too expensive for LICs to adopt.
explain the political difficulties in managing a pandemic
Pandemics are global epidemics and fortunately they rarely occur.
They are complex to manage because populations have become much more mobile and, depending upon the type of disease, they might be highly infectious such as Ebola in 2015. Air travel is likely to have assisted the rapid spread of infectious diseases.
International differences in legislation and human rights make laws difficult to enforce.
Isolation and containment regulations do not always conform internationally.
Economic differences may make some countries more vulnerable.
There must be medical agreement on symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment and common codes of practice.
“the diseases of affluence are out of control’ - discuss this statement with reference to at least one example
Obesity is considered a disease of affluence and is caused by excessive consumption of food and a sedentary lifestyle. It is characteristic of urban living and therefore more common in HICs. The nutrition transition that is currently occurring in LICs means that obesity is likely to develop there too.
Its control depends upon individuals adopting a healthier lifestyle.
This means reducing their calorie intake and also increasing the amount of exercise taken. There may be other factors contributing to the problem, such as alcoholism and obsessive compulsive eating disorders. These need to be addressed too.
Raising public awareness of the problem is a starting point, but in many cases the problem is national and therefore difficult to solve.
