Global Food Systems & Environmental Challenges

Sustainable Agriculture and Global Challenges

An alternative approach involves applying fertilizers precisely to specific areas of a field where demand is high, often combined with drip irrigation to deliver water directly to plant roots. While this method can be expensive, it is highly efficient in controlling and reducing the amount of water and fertilizers used in agricultural fields.

Why Malnutrition Persists Globally

• Poverty: Many cannot afford nutritious food.
• Food Shortages: Periods like "hungry seasons" before harvests force families to travel far for food.
• Climate Change: Leading to droughts and floods that disrupt food production.
• Food Waste: Significant amounts of edible food are lost or discarded.
• National Economies: Economic instability or poor governance can hinder food access and distribution.

The Vital Role of Pollinators and Their Decline

Pollinators are vital to agriculture, contributing significantly to the production of commodities that generate substantial income for farmers and the wider agricultural community. They are also essential components of natural habitats and ecosystems, providing food and shelter for many wild animals. Their primary role is to transfer pollen grains from one plant to another, a crucial step for plant sexual reproduction.

The decline in pollinator populations is attributed to several factors:

• Habitat Loss: A widespread consequence of urbanization and human activity.
• Changes in Agricultural Practices: Including monoculture and reduced floral diversity.
• Pesticide Use: Some pesticides contain chemicals that, while not directly affecting plants, can harm non-target organisms. Certain pesticides also accumulate in animal tissues, leading to broader environmental problems.

Environmental Impacts of Livestock Production

The environmental impacts of raising livestock for food are significant, exacerbated by factors such as global population growth, rising affluence, and urbanization. The increasing demand for meat and dairy products is largely met through rapidly expanding intensive livestock production systems. This industry plays a major role in:

• Climate Change: Through greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., methane from enteric fermentation, nitrous oxide from manure).
• Land and Water Management: Requiring vast amounts of land for grazing and feed production, and consuming significant water resources.
• Biodiversity Loss: Due to habitat conversion for pastures and feed crops.

Natural resources vital for agriculture, such as land and water, are becoming scarcer and are increasingly threatened by degradation and climate change.

CO2's Impact on Coral Reef Ecosystems

Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) significantly impact coral reef ecosystems. When CO2 is absorbed into the ocean, it alters seawater chemistry, leading to a decrease in pH. This process, known as ocean acidification, reduces the calcification rates in reef-building and reef-associated organisms, making it harder for them to form and maintain their skeletons and shells.