Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the estimated number of global hectares available to be used globally?
What is the estimated number of global hectares available to be used globally?
How many Earths are required to meet the total food demand in 2020?
How many Earths are required to meet the total food demand in 2020?
What is the net deficit in global hectares per person in the United States?
What is the net deficit in global hectares per person in the United States?
What percentage of the world population is classified as undernourished?
What percentage of the world population is classified as undernourished?
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How many kilocalories per day are required for a person to be healthy and physically active?
How many kilocalories per day are required for a person to be healthy and physically active?
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What is the total amount of energy supplied by the global crop production annually?
What is the total amount of energy supplied by the global crop production annually?
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How many people can be sustained by the global crop production annually?
How many people can be sustained by the global crop production annually?
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What is the biocapacity per person in Brazil?
What is the biocapacity per person in Brazil?
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What is the net deficit in global hectares per person in the UK?
What is the net deficit in global hectares per person in the UK?
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What is the projected number of Earths required to meet the total food demand by 2040?
What is the projected number of Earths required to meet the total food demand by 2040?
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What percentage of productive land is considered degraded due to habitat degradation?
What percentage of productive land is considered degraded due to habitat degradation?
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What is the main driver of habitat loss and degradation in terrestrial habitats?
What is the main driver of habitat loss and degradation in terrestrial habitats?
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What is the estimated percentage of fresh fruit and vegetables rejected by UK supermarkets due to perceived consumer preferences?
What is the estimated percentage of fresh fruit and vegetables rejected by UK supermarkets due to perceived consumer preferences?
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What is the primary impact of habitat fragmentation on ecosystem resilience?
What is the primary impact of habitat fragmentation on ecosystem resilience?
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What is the primary benefit of increasing market size in food production?
What is the primary benefit of increasing market size in food production?
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What is the primary method used to mitigate the effects of roads on habitat fragmentation?
What is the primary method used to mitigate the effects of roads on habitat fragmentation?
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What is the primary driver of human-wildlife conflicts in agriculture?
What is the primary driver of human-wildlife conflicts in agriculture?
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What is the primary benefit of using fertilizers in agriculture?
What is the primary benefit of using fertilizers in agriculture?
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What is the primary impact of habitat loss on ecological complexity?
What is the primary impact of habitat loss on ecological complexity?
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What is the primary reason for post-harvest losses in food production?
What is the primary reason for post-harvest losses in food production?
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What is the equivalent of the amount of food one person consumes per year?
What is the equivalent of the amount of food one person consumes per year?
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What is one of the benefits of adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet?
What is one of the benefits of adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet?
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What would be the outcome if we lost beef cattle but retained dairy cattle?
What would be the outcome if we lost beef cattle but retained dairy cattle?
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What is the predicted value of the global meat market by 2027?
What is the predicted value of the global meat market by 2027?
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What is one of the benefits of adopting organic farming and regenerative farming methods?
What is one of the benefits of adopting organic farming and regenerative farming methods?
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What is the cultural significance of the global meat market?
What is the cultural significance of the global meat market?
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What is the consequence of adopting a vegan lifestyle in terms of land usage?
What is the consequence of adopting a vegan lifestyle in terms of land usage?
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What is one of the benefits of reducing population size in terms of food production?
What is one of the benefits of reducing population size in terms of food production?
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How much more food can be produced from crops compared to meat production?
How much more food can be produced from crops compared to meat production?
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What is one of the benefits of rewilding and reducing land used for food production?
What is one of the benefits of rewilding and reducing land used for food production?
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Study Notes
Global Food Security
- The world has approximately 11.9 billion global hectares of productive land available.
- In 2018, the world required 1.78 Earths to meet the total demand, decreasing to 1.66 Earths in 2020, and projected to increase to 1.97 Earths by 2040.
Bio Capacity and Consumption
- Bio capacity refers to the amount of resources available per person in each country.
- Consumption patterns and bio capacity vary greatly between countries, e.g., the US has a net deficit of -4.7 gha pp, while Brazil has a net surplus of 6.0 gha pp.
Global Food Production and Consumption Patterns
- The world produces approximately 3,414 million metric tonnes of crops annually, supplying 10^16 kcal.
- This is enough to provide 10 billion people with the required 2,740 kcal per day for a healthy and active lifestyle.
- However, the problem lies in the differences in consumption patterns, with some people dying from malnutrition and others from obesity.
Habitat Loss and Degradation
- Habitat loss and degradation are major issues, with arable farming, livestock production, and urbanization being significant contributors.
- Habitat degradation leads to erosion, loss of biodiversity, and reduced ecosystem resilience, affecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Habitat Fragmentation
- Habitat fragmentation, caused by infrastructure such as roads, railways, and fences, reduces dispersal, creates "meta populations," and increases mortality.
- Mitigation efforts, such as increasing connectivity, can help reduce the effects of habitat fragmentation.
Food Production and Distribution
- The increase in market size has led to a global food system, moving food from productive areas to areas where it cannot be grown.
- This has enabled year-round supply for consumers but has also led to issues such as human-wildlife conflicts, competition for grazing, and disease risk.
Mitigation Strategies
- Increasing yield per unit area through fertilizers and selective breeding can reduce the amount of land required.
- Urban agriculture, reducing losses, and changing consumption patterns can also help mitigate the issues.
- Reducing meat consumption, particularly beef, can lead to significant gains in land area, with potential for rewilding and less-intensive farming methods.
Global Meat Market and Cultural Importance
- The global meat market is currently worth 1.3 trillion dollars, predicted to rise to 1.7 trillion dollars by 2027.
- Meat consumption is culturally important, but reducing demand can have significant environmental benefits.
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Description
This quiz explores the challenges of meeting the world's food requirements, considering the growing population and the availability of productive land. It examines the concept of global hectares and its implications for sustainability.
