That subject heading is kind of a stretch—a loose encapsulation of a new report I just read about on this New York Times blog. The report, done by Deutsche Bank’s climate-change research team, looks at predicted soaring global populations (9 billion by 2050) and asks how the hell everyone’s going to get fed. Considering the unsustainability of current agri-business, it seems like a smart time to start looking at this.
One solution proposed was low-input organic farming (high five!), as well an increased use of GMO seeds (low five?). Since many environmentalists are anti-GMO, I imagine this will be an unpopular idea in certain circles. Monsanto horror stories aside, though, I’ve never fully agreed with the in-principle objection to GMOs from an environmental perspective, and would encourage anyone who hasn’t read this Atlantic piece from many years ago to do so. There are valid arguments against patented seeds and their impact on farmers, as well as a general creepiness factor that’s hard to argue with, but on the flip side, GMO seeds often allow for cleaner growing, as many do not require the use of poisonous pesticides.
To me, organic farming is the ideal, but is it realistic? Absent a worldwide revolution, it’s hard to see this being the mainstream, affordable, scalable wave of the future. Because 2050 is not that far away, and 9 billion is a lot of people, and big business wants to make money off those people. Something tells me their silverbullet isn’t going to be local, organic, owner-run farms. But maybe I’m being overly cautious here.
Also, as much as we all love to hate GMOs, they’re not going anywhere (and thanks to this new collaboration, they may be even more common and inescapable starting soon). So should we learn to love them? Is regulating the scope of their patents the best way to keep them in check?
What do you think is the best way to feed 9 billion people?
Posted to GOOD by Siobhan O'Connor
GOOD is a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward. Since 2006 we've been making a magazine, videos, and events for people who give a damn.
Barry Horsley says:
Watch the films "The World According to Monsanto", "The Future of Food", and "Food, Inc." and tell me if you still think that GMOs are a good thing. I'm not sure where the info came for those articles, but it sounds to me like they were completely fabricated. Also, check out the health risks of GMOs here: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/HealthRisks/index.cfm
I don't know how we are going to feed the world if/when it gets to 9 billion people, but genetically engineered crops are not the answer.
Greg I. says:
Barry, It is hard to tell which information you are pointing to when you proffer the description "completely fabricated". I'd like it if you elaborated.
In any case I fully support GMO foods because I think it is the only way to save forests and wild spaces and conserve fertilizer. There is simply no way for organic farming to feed 9 billion without a huge increase in the supply of arable land. That supply is most often taken from woodlands and other natural areas. Since we cannot have both, I, for one, cast my vote with saving wild spaces and will gladly make the sacrifice of eating GMO foods ( which thus far have not been linked to any serious or widespread cases of death or illness) in order to keep those wild spaces wild!
Barry Horsley says:
Greg I.,
I am well aware of the deceptive and subversive tactics of chemical corporations like Monsanto, so until you have something reasonable and truthful to say, I have no reason to bother 'elaborating' with you.
Greg I. says:
Whoa! I think that was uncalled for. I am expressing a genuine concern for natural spaces. Moreover all I did was ask you to elaborate.
We can try again, but it would be great for you to elaborate on what was false and unreasonable in my reply.
Of course if you already know the answer (I am well aware of the deceptive and subversive tactics of chemical corporations like Monsanto) and prefer argument by mere assertion maybe we can't make any headway with one another.