3.5 Food resources
3.5.1 - Outline the issues involved in the imbalance in global food supply.
Food is potentially one of the most important resources facing global society today, alongside drinking water. The increase in human population has greater and greater demands on food supplies and food production systems.
As of 2007, of the 6.6 billion people on Earth
In More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs);
In Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs);
As of 2007, of the 6.6 billion people on Earth
- 853 million suffer from Undernourishment - they dont get enough energy from their food. 200 million of these are children which can lead to physical and mental damage.
- Many people also suffer from Malnourishment - their food contains enough energy, but lacks essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins and minerals
- 13% of the global population do not have enough food
- The problem is expected to increase in the future as the population continues to rise (UN says 9.5 billion in 2050!), food prices continue to rise, and more land is being used for profitable biofuel production.
In More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs);
- cost of food is cheap
- people purchase food from choice not nutritional need
- people do not eat foods based on seasonal availability
In Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs);
- people struggle to produce enough food to sustain themselves
- there may be political, economic and environmental limitations on food production
- cereals are often grown to export and revenue generation instead of feeding the indigenous population (cash crop)
- other non-food cash crops may occupy land potentially used for food production (e.g. coffee, biofuels)
3.5.2 - Compare and contrast the efficiency of terrestrial and aquatic food production systems.
3.5.3 - Compare and contrast the inputs and outputs of materials and energy (energy efficiency), the system characteristics, and evaluate the relative environmental impacts for two named food production systems.
3.5.4 - Discuss the links that exist between social systems and food production systems.