How to Feed Nine Billion by Evan Fraser - Assignment Example

?Introduction There is not really anyone that does not understand that world hunger is a serious problem, needlessly causing sickness and loss of life all over the world. Many people donate their money, volunteer their time, or actively participate in organizations that work to alleviate the hunger issues of the world. However, despite these efforts there is still proving not be enough food to feed everyone who is in need. The article, “How to Feed Nine Billion,” by Evan Fraser and Andrew Rimas, discusses how the horrible drought in Africa in 1992 had the potential to be incredibly devastating. However, although the drought was not good, the farmers in the effected regions were able to survive the drought because these farmers had already procured genetically modified seeds that were designed to survive these sorts of dry conditions and continue to thrive This is why, the African drought of 1992 is referred to as the “drought that never was” (Fraser & Rimas , 2012) However, just because these farmers were able to withstand this drought does not resolve the issues of hunger in Africa or worldwide. The authors are adamant that between the 2050 and 2080 we will be essentially in need of more food than we will be able to produce to meet the growth in population that will exist at that point. Finding means to develop an implementable plan, a sustainable solution, and an agreeable means to making it happen is no easy feat. Discussion The authors make strong points highlighting the details of hunger in the world and discussing the contributing factors and potential means of improving the situation. The idea of just sending other countries what they need to survive is admirable but essentially just a Band-Aid on a much more serious wound. Besides it has been established that the United States is not yielding the large crops they once did. We, ourselves, may, in the not too distant future, be unable to provide for ourselves. The authors, also, in this case, make quite a point to support the use of genetically altered seeds; if not for them the African drought may not have fared so well for the people. Issues However, GMO crops and food products are a very sensitive subject, here in the United States, as well as all over the world. Although GM seeds are modified only enough to allow them to grow in unlikely environments and to defend themselves from pesticides and insects that can compromise the crops yield, it does not automatically make the growing or consuming of these food items or the foods produced from them dangerous or unhealthy The fact that 80% of the foods are or contain elements of genetic modification, is frightening to many people and has caused a great deal of distrust towards the whole concept of genetically modified foods. In Haiti a gift of modified seeds was sent to aid the hunger issues in the country, several Haitians set fire to the building where the seeds were kept, because they did not want the modified seeds (Catsoulis, 2013). However the ethical, moral, social, and, potentially, legal issues associated with GMO foods, production and labeling, is an issue that will not be easily settled. The question that this article does raise that deserves to be addressed is how can a developed country, like the United States and underdeveloped countries both be suffering from hunger, when one has so much and the other so little. According to experts, it is a misconception that hunger stems from lands with little to offer. In truth, it is countries with surpluses of food that seem to reveal issues with hunger. According to the United Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, it is the countries, like the United States, that produce one and half times the amount of food needed to provide for everyone, yet 1 in 7 continue to go hungry (Green Peace, 2013) Why does this happen? Money is the answer. When food is plentiful, one still needs money to purchase the foods; the poor automatically go without. For now the issue involving hunger in the U.S. is related to money but, as stated earlier, that may not be the case in the next few decades. Solutions As mentioned there are no easy solutions. Hunger is a fixable issue it will just require time, planning, and hard work. Genetically modified crops, like corn, soybeans, and rice offer the opportunity to grow these crops in inhospitable environments (The GMO Compass, 2008) There is, also, the issue of the GMO controversy, which is not going to dissipate any time soon. Many people will not be willing to consider GMO foods until their safety is ascertained, while others do not even know that they have already been eating modified food products for decades. Resolving the people’s concerns, all over the world, about GMO foods is only a part of solving the greater issues. But, experts say that technology cannot and will not be the only answer. The authors suggest taking a hint from an ancient bible story; the story of Joseph and the Pharaoh, to be specific. Where Joseph’s visions made him believe there would be seven years of plenty, more than plenty. However, this will be followed by seven years of famine. The Egyptians heeded his warning and stockpiled their crops in the times of plenty. This is the direction that all countries, states, and local communities must consider doing. At one time the U.S. produced more than enough food to meet American need, as years went by, population grew and that excess became less and less. Today the U.S. as a whole lives outside of its means, both economically and in regards to food products. Conclusion In the end, it would be lovely if the United States and the rest of the world’s issue with hunger could be eliminated once and for all. Unfortunately it is not as easy as waving a magic wand. Sending food is a temporary fix. Science and technology can only do so much. People need to change as well. The authors lay out all of the evidence and it is genuinely compelling. The signs of the coming disaster are apparent and it is up to us, human beings, to decide to heed those warnings and make changes or face an unpleasant future filled with only more need and hunger (Fraser & Rimas , 2012) References Fraser, E. & Rimas , A. (2012, December). How to feed nine billion. The Walrus, 1. Retrieved from http://thewalrus.ca/how-to-feed-nine-billion/ Catsoulis, J. (2013, September 13). Microscope on the u.s. food supply. The New York Times, 1. Retrieved from http://movies.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/movies/in-gmo-omg-jeremy-seifert-takes-on-a-complex-subject.html?ref=geneticallymodifiedfood&_r=0 The GMO Compass. (2008, December 22). Gm crops the big four: Soybean, maize, rapeseed and cotton. Retrieved from http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/ Green Peace. (2013). Retrieved from Feeding the world - facts versus fiction Read More