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The Race to Feed the World

Explore the Green Revolution's impact on food production and its consequences, including the benefits and harms experienced by society. Learn about the techniques employed to increase agricultural food production, the predictions made by scientists like Paul Ehrlich, and the difference between undernourishment, overnutrition, and malnutrition.

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The Race to Feed the World

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  1. The Race to Feed the World Growing Human Population and the Green Revolution

  2. We are producing more food per person, but… Food Security 1960’s and Paul Ehrlich

  3. How did we do it? Devoting more fossil fuel energy to agriculture Planting and harvesting more frequently Increasing the use of irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides Increasing the amount of cultivated land Developing (through crossbreeding and genetic engineering) more productive crop and livestock varieties

  4. We face undernourishment, overnutrition, and malnutrition “The quantity of food a person eats in important for health, and so is the quality of food.”

  5. Malnutrition • Kwashiorkor • Bloating of the abdomen • Deterioration and discoloration of hair • Mental disability • Immune suppression • Developmental delays • Anemia • Reduced growth

  6. Quick Note Check What kinds of techniques have people employed to increase agricultural food production? What did Paul Ehrlich and other scientists predict and how are their predictions not entirely correct? What is the difference between undernourishment, overnutrition, and malnutrition?

  7. The Green Revolution

  8. The “Green Revolution” Boosted Agricultural Production Mid and late 20th C Norman Borlaug—1940’s

  9. Benefit vs. Harm Benefits of the Green Revolution Harm from the Green Revolution • Intensified use of already cultivated land reduced the pressures to convert additional natural lands for new cultivation. • Between 1961 and 2003, food production rose 150% and population rose 100%, while area converted for agriculture increased only 10% • Prevented some degree of deforestation and habitat conversion • Intensive application of water, fossil fuels, inorganic fertilizers, and synthetic pesticides worsened pollution, erosion, salinization, and desertification • Monocultural planting has reduced biodiversity over huge areas

  10. Quick Note Check What is the “Green Revolution”? How did agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug help inaugurate the green revolution? How is the green revolution both a benefit and harm to society?

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