Food security – how do we feed 9 billion people in 2050?
As world population rises we are facing increasing challenges to find suitable land and harness enough water to produce more food.
How do we meet the challenge of feeding a growing world population with a sustainable and secure supply of food?
While the actual growth figures are subject to debate, there is little dispute that the projected increase in human population size, combined with the uneven distribution of resources, will put unprecedented pressure on sustainable development.
The risks of applying grand ‘conventional’ thinking to the problem are also emerging, such as the loss of essential natural services when large areas of land are farmed for single crops.
What are the options for finding a balance between the demands of a growing population and maintaining an environment that can provide the essential services, food, water and raw materials for a sustainable future?
Watch the debate
A panel of leading experts chaired by Richard Black, the BBC's environment correspondent, discussed the issues at a live debate at the Natural History Museum on 11 April 2012.
Watch the video of the food security debate
The panel
- Sue Dibb, Executive Director of the Food Ethics Council.
- Barry Gardiner, MP and Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Biodiversity.
- John Ingram, Food Security Leader, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
- Camilla Toulmin, Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
What do you think?
Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and comments for the panel via our Earth Debates forum and Twitter. You can continue the discussion online. Share your thoughts and leave a comment below.
Have your say
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