Irrigation and Drought - Some areas of the world are heavily dependant on rain to provide water for the plants they grow. In years where there isn't enough rain, many people may not have enough food to eat. Water can come naturally from rain or irrigation systems may be used that pump water from underground wells, rivers, or other sources of water. What are your local sources of water?
Pests -- Insects or diseases can attack crops, so farmers rely on natural techniques such as predators that will eat plant pests or insecticides that kill them.
Organic -- Foods produced naturally without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or genetic modification. Some people prefer these foods because they use less chemicals that may be harmful. What do you think about organic foods?
Diet -- The foods people eat are influenced by many factors including local resources, culture, and individual preferences and beliefs. Some people, for example, don't eat meat (vegetarians) or even animal products (vegans) because of ethical or health reasons. Because people in different parts of the world tend to eat different types of food, scientists can also study which types of diets are most healthy. Do you think your diet is healthy or unhealthy?
Food Processing -- Many foods we eat are altered by chemicals, heat or mechanical means to change how they look, taste or stay fresh. In some cases food processing can lower the nutritional value of foods. What processed foods do you eat?
Reading the Label -- Restaurants that sell "fast food" offer quick and inexpensive meals. Soft drink companies offer us a wide variety of beverages to tickle our taste buds. But many people are starting to ask for healthier products, so some fast food places are experimenting with salads or lower fat items, soft drink companies are selling bottled water, and many processed food companies are eliminating a harmful ingredient called trans fats.
Learn about the nutritional content and ingredients in the foods you eat and how they affect your body. Are the foods you eat healthy? If better educated consumers shop for healthier foods, do you think producers will respond?
How is your food produced? -- If you eat a lot of processed foods, do you read the labels to try to understand what is in your food? There are many different opinions about what makes food healthy for people and our planet, but by educating yourself you can begin to make more informed decisions about your food.
Food & Agriculture Fast Facts:
-- 777 million people in developing countries do not have enough food.
-- 11 million people in industrialized countries are undernourished.
-- Over the past few decades, consumption of meat in developing countries has grown at a rate of about 5 to 6% per year; consumption of milk and dairy products at 3 to 4%.
-- Approximately 70% of all available water is used for irrigation.
-- Irrigated area as a proportion of irrigation potential in 1999:
- World: 50%
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 13%
- South Asia: more than 85%
-- Pasture and crops take up 37% of the Earth's land area. Land in agricultural use has increased by 12% since the 1960s.
-- Many of the world's most important grainlands are consuming groundwater at unsustainable rates.
-- Collectively, annual water depletion in India, China, the United States, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula is equal to the total annual flow of two Nile Rivers.
-- In 1965 in developing countries, the per capita food consumption was 2,054 kcal/person/day, in 1998 it had risen to 2,681. The biggest rise has been in East Asia.
Global Youth Voice
Climate, soil, water, transportation systems, traditions, science and even economics all have a lot to do with what kind of food you eat. In the past humans relied mainly on local sources of food. Where does your food come from? Have you visited a local farm or tried growing your own food in a garden? What recipes or types of food is your area known for? How are fast food restaraunts and processed foods changing the way people eat in your area?
Tell us about local food issues or a local service learning project you are doing for our Global Youth Voice. Your story will help educate and inspire other youth around the world, and you could win our $1000 grant.
Help Young People and Our Planet
EarthSeeds is looking for volunteers to help us connect with partner organizations involved in food issues, research funding sources, find sponsors, reach out to youth educators, and developing content for our website and monthly e-newsletter.
We also encourage you to get involved by helping young people in your area learn about food issues and then share their learning or project through our Global Youth Voice program.
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