Essay Outlines

Is food consumption today no longer sustainable?

Context / Issues
Scarcity seems to be the new norm climatic changes, peak demand for grain consumption, lack
of arable land
Steadily rising food prices eclipsing previous global highs in 2011 mass starvation, political
conflict and prices beyond the reach of many communities
The Millennium Development Goals of 2015 to halve the rate of extreme hunger nowhere near
being met. 1 billion people remain hungry.

Question Analysis
FOOD CONSUMPTION: QUANTITY of food consumed, TYPE/NATURE of food consumption
NO LONGER: Assumption that it was once sustainable, students should express some of the key
changes over time
NO LONGER SUSTAINABLE: Food is being consumed at a rate where demand for food sources far
exceeds supply resulting in a lack of long term security
Possible arguments
While population growth may have slowed the RISE IN AFFLUENCE and the RECORD PACE OF
DEMAND/AMOUNT CONSUMED PER CAPITA has skyrocketed
Sustainability issues are worsened by the unprecedented rise in demand in newly developing
economies for GREATER QUANTITIES OF LAND/GRAIN-INTENSIVE LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY
PRODUCTS.
3 billion people are entering the middle class and opting for meat, milk, and egg products which
is land intensive China will double the USAs meat consumption by the end of 2011 (Foreign
Policy)
Failure to match growing demand is also caused by the CONVERSION OF CROPLAND INTO NON-
FARM USES with the rise of newly industrialising economies MANY OF WHICH ARE
PRIMARILY GLOBAL CROP PRODUCERS





www.thegptutor.com
Suburban sprawl, industrial construction, and the paving of land for roads in California USA,
Brazil, Egypt. In 2011, Chinas new car sales are projected to reach 20 million for every 5m cars,
1m acres must be paved to accommodate them.
Alternate views / Counter-arguments
Critics claim that advancing technology has underpinned steady harvests to meet demand
previously. Indeed, world grain yield/acre has tripled since 1950.
Yet, we have come to take agricultural progress for granted. The backlog of untapped
technologies is no more. ALL AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES TO RAISE YIELDS ARE CURRENTLY
EXHAUSTED IN THE MOST ADVANCED NATIONS WITH NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN SIGHT SINCE
THE LATE1980S.
- Furthermore, even if technology existed to increase yields,
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ERRATIC WEATHER PATTERNS afflicting food supply is likely
to continue
Dust storms, severe soil erosion and water deficits have hit many parts of the world. Production in
some areas have dropped by as much as two thirds. Western Russia 2010: all crop yield decimated
by a rise in temperature above the norm.
Research is required into food sources that are not mainstream but indiginous. Scientists have
identified almost 2000 plants which can be fit for human consumption. We currently only eat 50+
vegetables.
Research into creating high calorific food products which can be easily distributed is needed.
Significant amount of crops are often eaten by rodents.
www.thegptutor.com