I think this problem has two sides from which to tackle it. A combination of both would probably work best. One is to increase the quantity of food produced in order to feed a growing population. Another is to slow the growing population. Whilst increasing food production would require a major effort and organisation and use of technology, it is a relatively simple concept. Decreasing the rate of population growth, however is a very different problem. I don’t believe people should be limited to how many children they have. I think it should be up to the family itself. There is one way, though, that has so many beneficial side effects with it, and I will discuss it below.
Here are my 3 subjects that will help be a part of the solution to the problem.
1. Eat less meat. The land area given to grazing is huge. It impacts on the world’s forests. The production of red meat produces a lot of greenhouse gasses. By cutting down our global meat consumption we could give over the land to a different kind of farming.
2. Efficiency of food production and storage. There is a lot of research going into the way we grow crops. From the use of pesticides and fertilisers to genetically modifying crops to be more drought resistant. Improvements in the methods of storage of grains post-harvest may also help reduce wastage.
3. Educate women. This is from the other side of the problem. It has been shown that women who have been educated have fewer children. Obviously I’m all for educating boys too, but it’s the education of girls that seems to have this effect of decreasing birth rate. There have been some very interesting studies. The results also show greater economic benefits and health benefits for the whole family.
It is such a difficult subject and has implications on human rights, land use and international cooperation. But estimates show it is possible. Maybe we all just need to change our expectations of what we can eat.
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