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Nearly a third of the world's population suffers from hunger or malnutrition. Feeding them - and the projected population of 10 billion people by 2050 - has become a high-profile challenge for states, philanthropists, and even the Fortune 500. This has unleashed a steady march of initiatives to double food production within a generation. But will doing so tax the resources of our planet beyond its capacity?
In this sobering essay, scholar-practitioner Eric Holt-Giménez argues that the ecological impact of doubling food production would be socially and environmentally catastrophic and would not feed the poor. We have the technology, resources, and expertise to feed everyone. What is needed is a thorough transformation of the global food regime - one that increases equity while producing food and reversing agriculture's environmental impacts.
List of contents
Acknowledgments vi
1 The Politics, Power, and Potential of Food 1
2 Hunger in a World of Plenty 10
3 Food, Environment, and Systems Change 40
4 Who Can Feed the World Without Destroying It? 88
Further Reading 119
Notes 124
About the author
Eric Holt-Giménez, PhD, is Executive Director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy.
Summary
Nearly a third of the world's population suffers from hunger or malnutrition. Feeding them - and the projected population of 10 billion people by 2050 - has become a high-profile challenge for states, philanthropists, and even the Fortune 500. This has unleashed a steady march of initiatives to double food production within a generation. But will doing so tax the resources of our planet beyond its capacity?
In this sobering essay, scholar-practitioner Eric Holt-Giménez argues that the ecological impact of doubling food production would be socially and environmentally catastrophic and would not feed the poor. We have the technology, resources, and expertise to feed everyone. What is needed is a thorough transformation of the global food regime - one that increases equity while producing food and reversing agriculture's environmental impacts.
Report
"An important and accessible guide for critical thinking to tackle the root causes of hunger. Read it to inoculate yourself against the food industry's fake news, and learn about the insurgent hope that food sovereignty offers."
Raj Patel, author of Stuffed & Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System
"Short and not at all sweet where destructive capital-intensive agriculture is concerned, this book delivers fact-based diagnoses and solutions to benefit people and planet. Armed with this information, the battle for good, nutritious food, a healthy planet, and an end to hunger and malnutrition everywhere is one everyone can join."
Susan George, president of the board of the Transnational Institute
