In post-2009 World Food Prize reflection, I have to say – it was a full ticket of truly compelling speakers and topics. But it would be wrong NOT to mention the presentation made by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University.
As a longtime analyst of and advocate for international development, including agricultural development, food and nutrition security, his words still clearly hang in a cloud over my head. In fact, they are shouting. At first I thought it was guilt, but it’s more like responsibility and, perhaps, fear that we won’t act.
Dr. Sachs, who was named as one of the 100 most influential leaders in the world by Times magazine in 2004-2005, was direct, candid, serious and demanding. Moreover, he laid the “burden of solution” on the food and agricultural industry, in both the public and private sectors, to urgently solve some of the most complex problems the world has ever faced.
From the get-go, he had only “grave” news to impart. World food challenges are more complicated than the time of the Green Revolution and is “at the heart of multiple intersecting crises.” And, he wasn’t kidding.
“We are absolutely failing the battle over global hunger and malnourishment.” Malnourished people have topped the world’s history. Out of 6.8 billion people, 1 billion are chronically hungry (250 million more than five years ago), 3 billion suffer from nutrient deficiency, and more than 1 billion suffer from obesity, diabetes or other food-related health issues (a growing number are U.S. adults and kids).
“Climate shocks are not just a run of bad luck” affecting a world-connected food system. This will intensify as the climate heats up, water sources dry up or are challenged in regions dependent on glacial melt, and green house gases rise. (Incidentally, 18% of green house gas emissions come from the removal of the rain forest and 12% to 15% of fossil fuel for food production.)
“The food industry is at the center of global change” affecting every country, economy, ecosystem, and person. The pursuit of food is the number one reason for habitat loss. Food prices continue to rise as energy and other inputs drive up production costs. Biofuel has caused controversy during a time in which the world food system is under siege. High meat demand adds pressure because it requires more energy and landmass to produce. And, global inventories of grain are at all time low levels.
“The food sector is losing confidence in the food supply.” Consumers are confused (and often wrong) about everything from food safety to environmental impacts. “People actually think that organic food can feed the world, but it can not,” said Sachs, noting that public confusion is completely understandable, but “deeply misguided.”
Summed up, Sachs didn’t blame the food / ag sector, but, he did call it to action -- to step up, take responsibility for being a contributor and innovate solutions. Now.
“I don’t think we have a holistic approach. There must be a way to create a framework of action that will solve the immediate environmental issues and allows for sound economic gains,” said Sachs, later adding: “The food industry needs to be first. We absolutely can not do this without the food industry’s leadership.”
Of course, Sachs, who has been at the forefront of economic development and poverty alleviation for 20 years, never comes to the party without a contribution. He offered a host of suggestions, including:
- Small holder-farmers should have access to fund appropriated through a global effort driven by industry and private sectors, not government.
- The food sector must take responsibility for finding solutions to climate change through agro ecology; creating urban strategies that provide access to safe, healthy fast food; and controlling food waste (40 to 50% of food is thrown out as trash).
- A worldwide early childhood development strategy is needed. In the U.S., alone, 20% of all children (30% Afro American and 30% Hispanic) lack enough nourishment for good brain development subsequently causing death or lifelong healthcare and societal costs.
- A population strategy and a global research effort are required. “We are in an absolutely unsustainable population path,” noted Sachs. By 2050, people will require 100% more food than what is produced today. Added farmland can only produce 20% more food and 10% can come from cropping intensity. The rest must come from new ag technologies.
- The World Food Prize could possibly serve as the neutral conduit for creating a venue to address the challenges.
Maybe the best part about Dr. Sachs’ remarks was that he not only called out the food sector to lead, he also put himself on the line. He pledged his personal dedication to the daunting tasks ahead.
Without a doubt, it was tough love dialogue for the food sector. But, candidly, he laid a challenge on every person’s dinner plate.
What will we do to ensure life for the next generation?
The world is hungry.
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