THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS

Question 1

what was the beginning of the global food crisis

Answer 1

2007/2008 surge in food prices

Question 2

what are the consequences of food crisis

Answer 2

• food riots
• suffering

Question 3

facts to know

Answer 3

• more than half the world’s pop lives on under $1 a day’
• 17% Australian family budget on food
• the poorest billion people spend 50-70% income on food

Question 4

what are some reactions to the food crisis

Answer 4

• restricting exports
• UN world food programme raised $14.2 bil in 2022
• governments in africa kept borders open for trade

Question 5

why is food becoming more expensive (4 reasons)

Answer 5

1. biofuels are being pursued to reduce the dependence on crude oil
2. rise in oil price (transport more expensive)
3. extreme weather and water shortage - Aus had recent droughts cutting wheat harvests by 50%
4. changes in eating habits - eating more protein - change in farming land to meat from grain (supports less consumers)

+ pop growth, climate change

Question 6

how does climate change exacerbate food crisis

Answer 6

• increased extreme events
• increased water loss
• loss of sea ice = sea level rise
• loss of biodiversity
• decreased rainfall
• incresed temp

Question 7

what are the underlying probelms to global food crisis

Answer 7

• low stockpiles
• flattening yield growth
• rising population
• uncertain climate

Question 8

Explain/define food security

Answer 8

“when all people at all times have access to the food they need for a healthy life”
requires:
- availability of adequate food supplies
- access to sufficient food
- stability of supplies
- utilisation (food safety and cultural preferences )
- quality

Question 9

what is hybrid seed

Answer 9

hybrid seed is genetically modified
- delivers 5 times the average yield

Question 10

what are some positive GM examples

Answer 10

• golden rice - Vitamin A increase
• biocassava plus
• Bt Cotton

Question 11

what are the limitations of GM

Answer 11

• effective varieties not available yet
• hard to claim they are 100% safe
• don’t know all neg side effects
• monoculture

Question 12

what is agroecology

Answer 12

employing crop rotation and natural fertilisers
considers environmental and social impact of food production
- argues small scale, bio dis=verse farms can produce more food with fewer petroleum-based inputs

Question 13

What are the options for dealing with the food crisis

Answer 13

• plant breeding and modification
• agroecology
• combination

Question 14

What 3 factors need to change to aid the food crisis

Answer 14

1. consumption habits - reduce meat and wastage (can be improved with laws)
2. food choices - choosing mostly plants
3. population growth - raise death rate or prevent births

Question 15

how could population be controlled

Answer 15

• improve health/quality of life
• improve the rights of women - less children
• leadership - policy

Question 16

what are the 7 solutions posed by the UN environment program for food crisis

Answer 16

SHORT TERM
1. price regulation on commodities and larger cereal stocks to buffer tight markets of food - decrease volatile prices
2. remove susidies and blending ratios of first generation biofiels to encouurage shift to higher generation biofuel based on waste
3. reduce use of cereals + food fish in animal feeds
4. support farmers in developing agriculture systems
5. increase trade and market access by establishing improved infrastructure and reduce trade barriers
LONG TERM
6. limit global warming
7. raise awareness of the pressures of increasing population growth