May
26
Nourishing the Planet
Uncategorized
This week, we highlighted “The Last Farmer,” a documentary that explores how small-scale farmers are suffering from poverty as a result of globalization and the growing shift towards industrial agriculture. Directed by Giuliano Girelli, the documentary follows three farmers and their families in Indonesia, Guatemala, and Burkina Faso throughout their day.
(Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)
We also discussed an infographic by the International Food Policy Research Institute, which analyzes the 2007-2008 global food crisis. The food crisis caused a substantial rise in the cost of food, especially staple foods such as rice, wheat, and corn. This rise in price had a devastating effect on hungry people in the developing world. On one hand, there were policies that made the crisis worse, while, on the other hand, there were policies that helped to combat the crisis.
On Wednesday, The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) hosted a live webinar discussing food waste and how to reduce it. To read more about food waste and the webinar, click here.
And we discussed a new USAID project, Permaculture Design for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, which focuses on providing long-term food security solutions to orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) that are coping with the challenges of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Unlike most feeding programs that rely heavily on international donors, this USAID permaculture initiative is an innovation that can help maximize local reliance, ensure sustainability, and – internally– meet many of the food, shelter, and energy needs of participating communities for the long run.
Our Innovation of the Week post highlighted The McGill Food Systems Project at McGill University in Quebec, Canada. The project, which began in 2009, engages students in the food system process by supporting student-led applied research that helps the University establish best practices for purchasing sustainable food.
And in this post, we interviewed Joan VanWassenhove, Assistant Coordinator for Nutrition in Haiti at Partners in Health, a health care organization that fights poverty by providing education, medical care, and employment in disadvantaged communities worldwide. Joan discussed her experience in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, what changes she has seen in the field of public health over the last decade, and what she hopes Haiti can achieve as it rebuilds.
We received some exciting news coverage this past week. The Press & Sun-Bulletin of Binghamton, New York, as well as The Birmingham News of Alabama, published our article on how to rebuild the broken global food system. And The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition’s new book, Eating Planet—Nutrition Today: A Challenge for Mankind and for the Planet, was reviewed in The Guardian.
Now it’s your turn: What were your favorite posts from the week? What do you hope we’ll write about next week? Let us know in the comments!
To purchase State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet please click HERE. And to watch the one minute book trailer, click HERE.
May
25
Nourishing the Planet
Culture, Diet, Food, Health, Hunger, Nutrition, Policy, Research, Sustainable
Check out this column on the Guardian’s website, reviewing the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition’s new book, Eating Planet—Nutrition Today: A Challenge for Mankind and for the Planet.
The Guardian describes Eating Planet as a “useful resource that focuses on important issues confronting humanity: food production and availability…from what I’ve seen, it’s well-written, is filled with colour photographs and lovely colour diagrammes, tables and charts, and lots of interesting (and concerning!) information.”
Click here to read the full article.
To purchase Eating Planet from Amazon.com or iTunes, click here.
May
25
Nourishing the Planet
Culture, Development, Diet, disease, Disease Prevention, Economy, Extension, Health, HIV/AIDS, Hunger, Hygiene, Infrastructure, Nutrition, Poverty, Sanitation, Sustainable, Training, Vaccine
By Laura Reynolds
Name: Joan VanWassenhove
Affiliation: Partners in Health
Partners in Health delivers health care, education, and employment to impoverished communities. (Photo credit: PIH.org)
Bio: Joan VanWassenhove is the Assistant Coordinator for Nutrition in Haiti at Partners in Health (PIH), a health care organization that fights poverty by providing education, medical care, and employment in disadvantaged communities worldwide. VanWassenhove holds a dual Masters in International Affairs and Public Health at Columbia University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition at the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
What inspired you to become involved in global health and development?
In 2007 I was doing graduate work at Columbia University, studying international affairs and public health,and I interned at Partners in Health during that summer. I never really saw myself working in the medical field because I had no plans to go to medical school, but while I was interning I saw how broad PIH’s approach to health care and poverty alleviation was, and I wanted to stay involved.
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May
24
Nourishing the Planet
Conservation, Culture, Diet, Farmers, Food, Innovation, Local, Nutrition, organic, Research, School, Sustainable, Transportation, Youth
By Graham Salinger
In 2009, the average distance that a granny smith apple traveled to get to McGill University in Quebec, Canada, was nearly 3,542 miles. Meanwhile, the dining halls serve approximately 2,500 meals a day. While students may not know where their food comes from, a 2009-2010 survey that was conducted by McGill’s Food and Dining Services, revealed that 80 percent of students believe environmental practices are important to food systems.
The McGill Food Systems Project implements student-led research into sustainable food options. (Photo credit: www.McGill.ca)
In an effort to increase the amount of food that is sourced locally, students at McGill University established The McGill Food Systems Project (MFSP). The project, which began in 2009, engages students in the food system process by supporting student-led applied research that helps the University establish best practices for purchasing sustainable food. Collaborating with professors, the McGill Food and Dining Services, and the McGill Office of Sustainability, students conduct research and implement projects that help inform the University about the source of its food.
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May
23
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Burkina Faso, Culture, Development, Economy, Farmers, Poverty, Seeds, Soil, Sustainable, Technology
By Leah Baines
Throughout the world, agriculture from small farmers provides food for 70 percent of the population, while industrial agriculture only supplies 30 percent. But, ironically, most of the 2.8 million people living in poverty around the world are farmers. The documentary “The Last Farmer” highlights how small-scale farmers are suffering from poverty as a result of globalization and the growing shift towards industrial agriculture.
"The Last Farmer" highlights the lives of small-scale farmers in developing countries. (Image credit: "The Last Farmer")
Directed by Giuliano Girelli, the documentary follows three farmers and their families in Indonesia, Guatemala, and Burkina Faso throughout their day. It draws attention to the struggles they face from lack of agricultural diversity, diminishing soil fertility, food insecurity, and decreasing incomes. The video also includes commentary from experts about the effects of globalization all over the world.
“Agriculture [has] the word culture in there, right? It’s actually doing something in a cultural way,” said Hira Jhamtani, an environmental activist in Indonesia. “But we have made it into an industry…the multinational companies are taking over the role of small farmers. Everywhere…whether it’s Europe, whether it’s in the US or whether it’s in Indonesia, family farmers are being displaced by big companies.”
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May
22
Nourishing the Planet
Culture, Events, Food, Health, Safety, Sanitation, Storage, Sustainable, Waste
By Arielle Golden
On May 23rd, 2012 at 5 PM CET [11 AM EST], The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) will hold a live webinar discussing food waste.
The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition will host a webinar on food waste on Wednesday. (Image credit: BCFN)
More than 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted every year worldwide. At the same time more than a billion people do not have enough food. Food waste happens at every step in the food chain and and impacts food security, the economy, and the environment.
Speakers in the webinar include Andrea Segrè, Chairman of Last Minute Market and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bologna; Tristram Stuart, writer and activist, winner of the international environmental award, the Sophie Prize 2011, for his fight against food waste, and author of State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet; and Jean Schwab, head of the National Food Recovery Initiative run by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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May
22
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, agroforestry, Biodiversity, Culture, Development, disease, Education, Food, Food Security, HIV/AIDS, Innovation, Malawi, Permaculture, Training, Youth
By Stephanie Buglione
Nearly one quarter of children in the developing world are underweight, and one third are experiencing stunted growth, according to a UNICEF report. In addition, many of these children have a family member, or are themselves, afflicted with HIV/AIDS.
Jacob, a student in Malawi, explaining permaculture to other boys. (Photo credit: NeverEndingFood.org)
According to the Joint U.N Programme on HIV/AIDS, worldwide, 16.6 million children aged 0 to 17 have lost parents due to HIV. Families afflicted with HIV have less help harvesting and planting crops or selling them at the market. Additionally, when a parent dies prematurely, their children are denied their generational agricultural knowledge and skills. But this missing information, and other lessons on ethics, patience, and responsibility, can be taught in schools through the use of permaculture.
A new USAID project, Permaculture Design for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, is focused on providing long-term food security solutions to orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) that are coping with the challenges of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Permaculture is their means to achieving this food security.
Kristof Nordin is one of the co-authors of this initiative. He and his wife, Stacia, a registered dietician and previous School Health and Nutrition Advisor for the Malawi Ministry of Education, live in a home outside of Lilongwe, Malawi. On their land, they have been demonstrating permaculture practices for several years to help educate the community about indigenous vegetables and to reduce the cultural fixation on monocropping.
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May
21
Nourishing the Planet
Agriculture, Development, Economy, Farmers, Food, Food Security, Funding, Hunger, Income, Infrastructure, Investment, Land, Markets, Nutrition, Policy, Poverty, Subsidies, Trade
By Jameson Spivack
The world food crisis of 2007-2008 caused a substantial rise in the cost of food, especially staple foods such as rice, wheat, and corn. This rise in price had a devastating effect on hungry people in the developing world.
When food prices rise, poor people in developing countries are hurt the most. (Image source: IFPRI)
Between 2005 and 2011, world prices for rice, wheat, and maize rose 102 percent, 115 percent, and 204 percent, respectively, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). With price increases, people with less disposable income must spend a larger percentage of their earnings on essential staple grains, and less on other food and non-food items. This can have a significant impact on nutrition.
In seven Latin American countries, this increase in price led to an average 8 percent decrease in the amount of calories consumed. Before the crisis, 35 percent of households in Ecuador received an adequate amount of calories; afterwards, only 22 percent were receiving healthy levels of calories. In developing countries, if prices rise 50 percent across the board, and there is no rise in income, iron intake will decrease by 30 percent, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). In the Philippines, this 30 percent decrease in iron consumption would mean that only 5 percent of women have adequate levels of iron.
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May
20
Nourishing the Planet
Uncategorized
On Friday, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs hosted its Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security in Washington, D.C. President Barack Obama, with G8 and African leaders, businesses, international organizations, and civil society—including the musician and activist Bono—discussed new activities to advance global agricultural development and food and nutrition security in Africa. Nourishing the Planet covered the event in a series of live blogs; check them out here: Notes on the “Improving Nutrition” Panel, Obama Calls for an End to “the Injustice of Chronic Hunger” at Chicago Council Symposium, Chicago Council Symposium: The New Way of Aid, and Chicago Council: Business and Innovation in Agriculture.
(Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)
The Washington Post published an editorial this week highlighting President Barack Obama’s agricultural development strategy, termed The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which he unveiled at the Chicago Council Symposium.
We also highlighted domestic efforts to reduce hunger this week. In this post, we profile Halfsies, a social initiative that offers restaurant-goers the option of ordering half of a normal portion, with the remaining value of the dish being put to better use. Americans waste 50 percent more food today than in 1974. At the same time, portion sizes have grown considerably, 66 percent of Americans are now considered overweight, and more than 50 million Americans are hungry.
Further highlights from this past week:
In this post, we discussed a TED Talk by Jonathan Foley, Director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, about agriculture as “the other inconvenient truth.” In his talk, Foley argues that agriculture is in fact the “single most powerful force unleashed on this planet since the end of the Ice Age.” Today, we devote 16 million square kilometers – an area the size of South America – to croplands, and 30 million square kilometers – an area the size of Africa – to pasture for livestock.
Our Innovation of the Week post highlighted the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass (KYF2). The KYF2 Compass is an online multimedia tool designed to help consumers, farmers, ranchers, and communities navigate the many relevant USDA-supported local food projects, and to learn more about local and regional food systems. Both the KYF2 Initiative and Compass are responses to the rapid growth of local and regional food systems in the United States.
And in this post we celebrate Nourishing the Planet Advisory Group Member Brother Dave Andrews, who received the prestigious Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award for his commitment to enhancing the life of rural people. Andrews has worked for over 30 years on sustainable development, food and water issues, and public policy, both nationally and internationally, and has a long-standing commitment to bettering the spiritual, social, and economic lives of rural people. The award is the highest honor given by the Rural Sociology Society.
Now it’s your turn: What were your favorite posts from the week? What do you hope we’ll write about next week? Let us know in the comments!
To purchase State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet please click HERE. And to watch the one minute book trailer, click HERE.
May
19
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Children, Conservation, Culture, Development, Drought, Farmers, Food Security, Funding, Hunger, Income, Indigenous, Innovation, Investment, Irrigation, Local, Niger, Nutrition, Poverty, School, Sudan, Sustainable, Water
By Graham Salinger
In the mountainous rural communities of Bolivia, thousands of children receive food through a school feeding program implemented by Samaritan Purse. Samaritan Purse is a faith-based organization that has been working since 1970 to support communities impacted by natural disaster, war, disease, and famine. Through food security programs, Samaritan Purse works to bring nutritious food to impoverished communities while helping them develop economically sustainable agricultural practices.
Samaritan Purse programs help people in regions suffering from food crises. (Photo credit: Samaritan Purse)
In Bolivia, where 23 percent of the population is undernourished, the school feeding program delivers food to72 rural schools while helping farmers who struggle to grow crops. Many children, up to 30 percent in the Chucananqu region, do not have access to milk, eggs, or meat. Through the school feeding program, which purchases food from local businesses, 28,000 children under the age of 14 receive food that is high in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.
Two of the businesses that supply food for the program were set up by Samaritan Purse. The Andean Grains Processing Center processes local crops that are brought in by local families and then purchased for the feeding program. Samaritan Purse also built a meat processing center that helps local herders sell their food. The Samaritan Purse also trains parents to prepare healthy meals for their children. Through this initiative they created a cookbook with recipes using local food. Samaritan Purse also helps parents track their children’s nutritional health by training more than 580 local volunteers to record the children’s height and weight every month.
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May
18
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Children, Development, Economy, Events, Farmers, Food Security, Funding, Hunger, Income, Infrastructure, Investment, Markets, Nutrition, Policy, Poverty, Subsidies, Sustainable, Women, Youth
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual symposium, Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 Summit, was underway today. Follow the discussion on Twitter with @globalagdev #globalag
The Chicago Council Symposium outlined important next steps for global agricultural development. (Photo credit: FAO)
The symposium’s afternoon sessions more specifically addressed the roles that business and innovation will be required to play in agricultural development. “[It is] the end of the era of the handout,” said Josette Sheeran, former head of the UN WFP and current Vice-Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “But the era of hand up is also dated and we’re in the era of the handshake.” According to the World Bank, 78 percent of African countries made regulatory reforms that make it easier to conduct business in their country in the past year. Connecting African farmers with partners on all levels of the value chain is key for the future of agricultural growth.
Attracting more youth to the field of agriculture was also heavily discussed. When asked what is the most important thing he’d like to see changed, Berry Marttin, Executive Board member, Rabobank, said, “That farming becomes attractive to young people.” This is an important idea given, that 65 percent of Africans are under the age of 25. Jeff Simmons, President Elanco Animal Health, agreed, saying, “We can’t have people moving away from rural areas with all of the opportunity in the next 50 years, we need to unlock the heart of the next generation—especially those who feel convicted to work in the fight against hunger.”
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May
18
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Climate Change, Culture, Development, Diet, Economy, Farmers, Food, Food Security, Funding, Hunger, Income, Investment, Land, Markets, Nutrition, Policy, Poverty, Soil, Subsidies, Sustainable, Trade, Women
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual symposium, Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 Summit, is underway this morning. Tune in to the livestream here and follow the discussion on Twitter with @globalagdev #globalag
Musician Bono, governmental leaders, and corporate CEOs discussed the new era of agricultural development. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)
The development landscape is changing, and private and public leaders each have a vision for how the development landscape should change. Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for the Department for International Development (DFID), said that Africa’s major challenges will be a rapidly growing population, an increasing demand for food products, and climate change. He said that business as usual will not be enough and that the recently announced New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition will not business as usual.
Ellen Kullman, CEO of DuPont, and Strive Masiyiwa, acting Chairman of the Board Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), both stressed the importance of connecting with the smallholder farmer and finding out what their needs are. Masiyiwa said, “If we are going to help the smallholder farmers, most of whom are women, we must listen to them.” Kullman said that everyone describes food security differently, but that there are a few fundamentals: it must be local, the know-how must be local, and it has to be sustainable—in how it gets to market and how it gets to people’s plates.
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May
18
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Farmers, Food, Food Security, Hunger, Income, Investment, Technology, Trade
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual symposium, Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 Summit, is underway this morning. Tune in to the livestream here and follow the discussion on Twitter with @globalagdev #globalag
President Obama addressed the Chicago Council Symposium this morning. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)
President Barack Obama just delivered the keynote address, calling for G8 leaders to focus on the “injustice of chronic hunger” in the midst of world economic issues and austerity measures. He called for leaders to mobilize the $22 billion that was committed at the launch of L’Aquila in 2009 (of which only 22 percent has been delivered), continue GAFSP, and to mobilize more private capital into agriculture. He said our goal is to make emergency aid less and less relevant—that is how development is supposed to work.
To kick off this effort, Obama announced that 45 companies (both multinationals and African firms) have pledged $3 billion to fast track new agricultural projects that will reach those in need quicker. African agriculture will experience hugh leaps through the development of better seeds and better storage. Cell phone data is now being used to educate farmers about when to plant, harvest, and sell their products. A single bad season or change in season should not plunge a family into poverty. Obama reiterated a common theme we’ve been hearing today: that focus needs to be placed on nutrition—especially in children. It is the smart thing to do, improves a child’s potential, and lowers healthcare costs.
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May
18
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Investment
The Washington Post published an editorial this morning supporting the G8′s plan to increase investment in global agricultural development.
A Washington Post editorial highlights the G8's plan for increased agricultural development. (Image credit: WashingtonPost.com)
In advance of the 2012 Group of Eight summit of industrialized nations at Camp David, President Obama is to announce a joint effort to lift 50 million people in the region out of extreme poverty within 10 years. The innovative strategy behind the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is to foster political reform as a means of encouraging increased private investment in agriculture. The investment is not targeted at large-scale corporate production but aims to enable smaller-scale farmers to increase output, primarily for their own consumption but also for sale.
To read the full article, click here.
May
18
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Culture, Development, Diet, Economy, Farmers, Food, Food Security, Food Sovereignty, Funding, Investment, Markets, Nutrition, Policy, Poverty, sub-Saharan Africa, Subsidies, Trade, Women, Youth
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ annual symposium, Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 Summit, is underway this morning. Tune in to the livestream here and follow the discussion on Twitter with @globalagdev #globalag
President Obama speaking at the Chicago Council's annual Symposium.
Opening remarks were given by Mike Froman, Deputy Assistant to President Barack Obama and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs. Food security will be the sole focus of the G8′s session on development this weekend, as leaders review progress made since the 2009 launch of the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative. Froman emphasized President Obama’s commitment to development—not just assistance—saying that agricultural development is up 8 times the global average where the L’Aquila Initiative has been working. He closed by saying that government assistance alone is not sufficient, and it will require commitment from the private sector, NGOs, and private citizens.
The first panel, Healthy Agriculture: Improving nutrition works for economies and communities, explored the challenge of how nutrition will be incorporated into the agenda of food security. Beverly Oda, of the Canadian International Development Agency, declared that we are in a critical moment and incorporation of nutrition and food security. We need to make sure that all programs integrate nutrition and no longer just focus on food and calories.
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May
17
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Development, Economy, Food Security, Funding, Infrastructure, Investment, Policy, Sustainable
By Arielle Golden
ONE, a grassroots organization cofounded by Bono to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, issued a statement calling upon the leaders at the upcoming G8 Summit to take bold and effective actions to improve global food security.
ONE advocates bold action at the upcoming G8 summit. (Image credit: ONE.org)
ONE backs 30 low-income countries that have internationally endorsed agriculture investment plans in place that will help lift millions of people out of poverty. Bono will join President Obama and Secretary Clinton at the Chicago Council’s 3rd Annual Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security on Friday, May 18th.
Arielle Golden is a research intern with the Nourishing the Planet project.
To purchase State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet please click HERE. And to watch the one minute book trailer, click HERE.
May
17
Nourishing the Planet
Agriculture, CSA, Culture, Economy, Extension, Farmers, Food, Innovation, Local, Nutrition, organic
By Marlena White
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass in February to showcase the activities and achievements of its Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative (KYF2). The KYF2 Compass is an online multimedia tool designed to help consumers, farmers, ranchers, and communities navigate the many relevant USDA-supported local food projects, and to learn more about local and regional food systems.
The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass informs consumers about USDA-supported local and regional food projects. (Image credit: USDA)
Both the KYF2 Initiative and Compass are responses to the rapid growth of local and regional food systems in the United States. Rising consumer demand for locally produced foods, an increase in direct sales from farmers to consumers, and a growing number of beginning and young farmers has all contributed to their expansion. There is, however, still a substantial need for support to increase these food systems’ capacity and viability, including improved infrastructure, farmers’ access to markets and credit, and technical assistance. To address these issues, the USDA has increased its number of programs and resources for local food-related initiatives.
The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative was launched in 2009 to better maintain and coordinate these activities. The newly launched KYF2 Compass catalogues these efforts, making them more accessible to the public. The Compass contains informational sections on topics relating to local and regional food systems—like healthy food access and local food infrastructure—and aims to increase the understanding of local food systems among farmers, consumers, and communities. Each of these sections is interactive and contains relevant information, resources, videos, and case studies. Other features of the KYF2 Compass include lessons learned and next steps and a resources page listing relevant USDA programs. There is also an interactive map of the 50 states charting USDA-supported local and regional food activities.
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May
16
Nourishing the Planet
Agriculture, Climate Change, Conservation, Drought, Environment, Farmers, Fertilizer, Fish, Green Revolution, Irrigation, organic, Policy, Soil, Sustainable, Technology, Water
By Cameron Scherer
When asked to identify the greatest threats to our 21st century lifestyle, most of us would likely choose war or economic crisis over farming. But according to Jonathan Foley, Director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, agriculture is in fact the “single most powerful force unleashed on this planet since the end of the Ice Age.”
The Aral Sea used to be a source of irrigation and fish. Today, as a result of intensive agriculture, only a fraction of its original volume remains. (Photo credit: http://www.mirutadelaseda.com/)
In an online video of his recent TED Talk “The Other Inconvenient Truth,” Foley speaks in depth about the havoc modern agriculture is wreaking on our global environment. He says the Earth is running out of available land for farming. Today, we devote 16 million square kilometers – an area the size of South America – to croplands, and 30 million square kilometers – an area the size of Africa – to pasture for livestock. Together, this acreage comprises 40 percent of Earth’s land surface, an area 60 times greater than urban and suburban land combined.
As agriculture expands into deserts and other arid climates, our global demand for crops is putting a huge strain on our fresh-water resources as well. Seventy percent of the water we consume goes towards agriculture. Looking at it a different way, we use enough water to fill 7,305 Empire State Buildings every day.
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May
15
Nourishing the Planet
Culture, Development, Economy, Extension, Farmers, Poverty
By Alison Blackmore
On July, 28 2012 Brother Dave Andrews, Senior Representative for Food and Water Watch and a member of Nourishing the Planet’s advisory group, will be honored with the prestigious Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award for his commitment to enhancing the life of rural people. The award is the highest honor given by the Rural Sociology Society, a professional social science association founded in 1937 with the intent of improving the quality of rural life, communities, and the environment.
Brother Dave Andrews, recipient of the Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award. (Photo credit: http://www.holycross brothers.blogspot.com/)
Andrews has worked for over 30 years on sustainable development, food and water issues, and public policy, both nationally and internationally, and has a long-standing commitment to bettering the spiritual, social, and economic lives of rural people.
Since the 1970s, Andrews has dedicated his life to ensuring that the dignity of rural people is respected. As the Executive Director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference for 13 years, he supported rural Catholic congregations, worked with farm communities to determine the best way to care for the earth, and advocated on behalf of rural people on pertinent food policy issues. Today, as a senior representative for Food & Water Watch, Brother Andrews acts as a liaison to the faith community, motivating people of faith to be thoughtful and deliberate about their choices within the food system. Internationally, he represents farmer and peasant voices at various high-profile summits and meetings, including World Food Summits and the last three World Trade Organization meetings. He frequently attends UN Food and Agriculture Organization international and regional meetings on food security, and works with UN officials to advocate for justice for the most vulnerable laborers in the world’s food system.
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May
14
Nourishing the Planet
Africa, Agriculture, Development, Farmers, Food Security, Funding, Hunger, Investment, Policy, Poverty
By Arielle Golden
On Friday, in coordination with the World Economic Forum, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs will hold its third annual Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security in Washington, D. C.
The symposium will discuss the current status of food security and agriculture. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)
At the symposium, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and other leaders in the global food security and agriculture landscape will discuss G8 efforts to advance global agricultural development and food and nutrition security in Africa. Participants will range from African heads of state, to international aid organizations, to scientific and academic institutions.
The symposium will focus on four key topics: demonstrating the L’Aquila Initiative from the 2009 G8 Summit, which stated a shared commitment to invest $20 billion over three years to encourage rural development in poor countries; presenting select African countries’ development plans; announcing new commitments to these plans; and exploring opportunities for non-governmental plans to complement and amplify action to further the goals of the G8 Summit.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs aims to influence the discourse on global issues through contributions to opinion and policy formation, leadership dialogue, and public learning. The World Economic Forum works to engage business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
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