Feeding the World
I thought that this chapter was very interesting and had a lot of interesting points. In 1999 the Earth's population surpassed 6 billion people! With all the things that are happening including Global Warming, its kinda worrisome to think of how we are going to feed everyone. With the supply of people continuing to increase so is the demand of food and crops. This chapter brings about the question: How are we gonna feed and support everyone? The topics in this chapter include, Socitey's Four Transitional Stages, Evidence for Negative Population Growth, Future Food Supply/Demand Balance, Protecting the Environment, and The Challenges Ahead.
Society's Four Transitional Stages:
The first stage this paragraph talks about is a traditional society. In a traditional society there is low population density and low economic and population growth. Also high birthrates tend to match high death rates. The second stage is a developing stage, this is where agritultural production and plant and animal domestication are an outcome of a society's technological advancements. The third stage is a developed society. During this stage economic surplus and increases in capital and per capita income begin as a outcome of increases in agricultural production and productivity. Finally there is the mature society, there is prominent technological change beyond just agriculture.
Evidence for Negative Population Growth:
This section involves statistics that deals with various populations projections around the world. An interesting fact that stood out to me in this section stated that; According to the United Nations, the total fertility reate-number of children a woman may be expected to bear during her lifetime-has fallen in every region of the world since 1950. (Mckinney 56) During the 1950's on average a women would have around 6 children, the number has currently declined to around 2 children in North America. Because of these statistics, the United Nations are seeking evidence and reasons that could result in negative population growth.
Future Food Supply/Demand Balance:
From 1995-2000 both the population and income grew rapidly. If that streak continues to grow at the same rate, the future food supply will fall beneath the overall demand for food. This is a very scary thought, we just finished watching that documentary on Global Warming and how that is affecting the world, but if you combine that with food supply/demand we could have major issues. Not only is the food supply and demand quickly becoming a problem so is population productivity.
Protecting the Environment:
This section talks about how we can protect the environment and how the relationship between income and population will ultimately save the environment. It is stated in this section that; several studies have shown that the interaction between population and income will ultimately save the environment while leaving sufficient land for food production. (Mckinney 57) This is makes sense because higher income+lower population growth=reduction of pressure on the environment and higher income+more money on services, and production of disposal which in turn is less harmful ont he earth.
The Challenges Ahead:
There are many things that will produce positive outcomes. Some of these factors include; Interacting demographic, economic and environmental transitions. The overall prediction of The United Nations' low/medium population projection suggests that food supply growth will continue to outpace food demand growth, resulting in continuing decline in real prices for farmers. (McKinney 58) To avoid the imbalance of food supply/demand I think that we just need to start being more resourceful and take better care of the environment.
Society's Four Transitional Stages:
The first stage this paragraph talks about is a traditional society. In a traditional society there is low population density and low economic and population growth. Also high birthrates tend to match high death rates. The second stage is a developing stage, this is where agritultural production and plant and animal domestication are an outcome of a society's technological advancements. The third stage is a developed society. During this stage economic surplus and increases in capital and per capita income begin as a outcome of increases in agricultural production and productivity. Finally there is the mature society, there is prominent technological change beyond just agriculture.
Evidence for Negative Population Growth:
This section involves statistics that deals with various populations projections around the world. An interesting fact that stood out to me in this section stated that; According to the United Nations, the total fertility reate-number of children a woman may be expected to bear during her lifetime-has fallen in every region of the world since 1950. (Mckinney 56) During the 1950's on average a women would have around 6 children, the number has currently declined to around 2 children in North America. Because of these statistics, the United Nations are seeking evidence and reasons that could result in negative population growth.
Future Food Supply/Demand Balance:
From 1995-2000 both the population and income grew rapidly. If that streak continues to grow at the same rate, the future food supply will fall beneath the overall demand for food. This is a very scary thought, we just finished watching that documentary on Global Warming and how that is affecting the world, but if you combine that with food supply/demand we could have major issues. Not only is the food supply and demand quickly becoming a problem so is population productivity.
Protecting the Environment:
This section talks about how we can protect the environment and how the relationship between income and population will ultimately save the environment. It is stated in this section that; several studies have shown that the interaction between population and income will ultimately save the environment while leaving sufficient land for food production. (Mckinney 57) This is makes sense because higher income+lower population growth=reduction of pressure on the environment and higher income+more money on services, and production of disposal which in turn is less harmful ont he earth.
The Challenges Ahead:
There are many things that will produce positive outcomes. Some of these factors include; Interacting demographic, economic and environmental transitions. The overall prediction of The United Nations' low/medium population projection suggests that food supply growth will continue to outpace food demand growth, resulting in continuing decline in real prices for farmers. (McKinney 58) To avoid the imbalance of food supply/demand I think that we just need to start being more resourceful and take better care of the environment.
My Views on this topic:
I think its a really scary thought that we may run out of food supply in the future. If you think about it food supply is running low all over the world, especially in underdeveloped countries. If we continue to use up resources what will we do or where will we go in the future?
Terms:
Demographics
Agricultural Productivity
Economics
Developed Countries
Developing Countries
Population Growth
When reading this chapter I became really interested in the world food supply (world agriculture) in relationship to Global Warming so I did a little research and I found this pretty cool site check it out!
http://www.cgdev.org/content/general/detail/14404?gclid=CPmQ4MXJ4ZgCFQ_yDAodYnLzbA
Posts
Jessica -
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read about what could happen with our population and yes, worrisome to have to plan for the worse. I think it's amazing that our population has risen so high, yet the average number of children per family has dropped drastically. Does this mean that once the "Baby Boom" era is over... our population will notice a large decrease?
A lot of people don't realize that running out of food is a possibility. I think there are a lot of land areas that are being over-developed, and when this happens, we lose valuable land that could be used for farming and crops.
Jessica-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, it's scary to think about what could happen if population increases and food production cannot keep up with us. I think we take advantage of the resources we're provided with. I hope we can all work together to make the changes necessary. I really liked the color schemes as well in your post. Keep up the good work!!
Jessica-
ReplyDeleteI also find it very scary that our resources will become less available in the future (food supply) I liked how you made this post very organized with headings and colorful :) Nice tough with the picture too!
First of all, I love the picture you added to this post - way to summarize the whole reading!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it already appears food supply is running low in many parts of the world. It was shocking to read that food growth is currently surpassing food demand. I assumed that with so many people who are starving on this planet, we were already falling behind in food production. I guess what we're really failing at is even distribution of food, and unfortunately if food demand does eventually surpass growth, this problem will increase exponentially.
I love that picture! Our planet is getting really exhausted by our demands. I wonder how long it's going to last before it finally gives up on us. It might seem like we have all the food supply around us right now because of all we see daily, but this article really gets in dept about what's really going on.
ReplyDeleteGood job overall with your post!
I'm just realizing how many terms I missed while reading this as i read other's reviews
Jessica-
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to think about how much we may be in for in the future. If we start thinking about it now, maybe it can help us in the future so we won't have to worry so much about how we are going to deal with it then. Your terms were great, they were all terms I thought I knew, but really had absolutely no idea as to what they actually meant. I found it interesting that income and and population go hand in hand. Great Post!
Heather
Jessica, good job on this post! This article was a real eye opener for me, as well. I can't imagine what we're going to do when we run out of food to meet our demand. Such a sad thought=( I hope we can really change our behavior so that this wont really happen. Lastly, I found it interesting that the income and population go hand in hand. But I sometimes have a hard time believing this when I think about the celebrities and they way they live.
ReplyDeleteJessica~Awesome post! It really is hard to believe that there might/ could be a food shortage. I really liked the extra link too!! I also found your picture really interesting too, good find!! Keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteNice picture- funny! Good post very color coordinated, little girly for me but I like it! It's hard to fathom that we could actually run out of food. The fact that people with money take better care of the planet I'm just not sure about that comment, big houses, big cars, lots of food, none of those things are good. Good job on the post.
Jessica- Very good review of the reading. In your last paragraph you ask the question, "where are we all going to go?". I think my answer to that question would be...back into the earth--dead.
ReplyDeleteIt is so scary to know that one day there may not be enough food to feed all of us. I was watching a show today about an orphanage in Mexico that has 26 children staying at it, and they have $60 a month for food. I spend over $60 a month on food JUST FOR MYSELF! Good review, I enjoyed reading about your thoughts--S
Hey Jessica! That is a funny and true picture!! It looks like the world can't handle us anymore!
ReplyDeleteAs discussed in class, I feel like we are in stage 3. I am not sure though, because our world is so diverse, there are so many different levels on everyone's part!
I could not believe the average children for family in the 1950's was 6 children! Also, as discussed in class, I wonder if high income really does mean a greener environment? Something to ponder about, because I still not really sure!
And yes, I agree with you..we all really need to be more resourceful! It would make a huge difference!!
Great questions at the end of your post! Something to really think about!
Good job Jessica!
That is a really cool picture you got there. Goes perfect with your article. It devastating to think about having to strive to obtain food if things continue on the path they are on now. Interesting question you asked us at the end. It's making me think about all the possible alternatives. Great post Jessica!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post Jessica! Also really cool picture! I cant even imagine not having enough food to live off for even just one day and people who are starving are going days and months without food. It saddens me to think that there is terrible living conditions around the world. Good job I enjoyed reading what you had to say!
ReplyDeleteScary, your right, I cannot image running out of food when we just pay no attention when consuming it everyday! Kinda like we live soo richly and have so much but take advantage of every aspect of it. Its no wonder that the world in so weighed down by us! Great job this week Jessica!
ReplyDeleteJessica,
ReplyDeleteWOAH! Love the color in this post! The image you displayed with the post is very fitting! I agree, it is VERY scary that the world could run out of food! What will we do then? How would we ration out food in the U.S.? There are all questions we will be asking ourselves if we don't change our habits!
Great job with your post! I really liked your picture! I agree that this food crisis is really scary. The sad thing is that people in less developed countries are struggling to get food, while we in the United States have more than enough. I think that Americans are very spoiled and wastful. It just makes me sad that people who wouldn't waste their resources, don't have them. I also thought that your section on birth rate was very well written. It is really interesting that during the 1950's on average a women would have around 6 children, the number has currently declined to around 2 children in North America. This statistic provides evidence for negative population growth. Great job!!!
ReplyDelete