|
What do you think of this statement
It is a little basic, and disregards our growing capacity for increased production.
Do you agree or disagree?
Yes, if all factors other factors are constant, population would be the contrainst on our food supply.
Do you feel it speaks a partial truth?
Yes, see above. But fortunately our efficiency of production and total production have increased overtime and will likely continue to increase.
Do you see this statement as embodying any single philosophy or political agenda?
Malthusian beliefs are certainly associated with particular political and social philosophies that I do not subscribe to.
Do you feel strongly one way or another about this statement appearing in a college textbook?
It is certainly out of place in an introductory plant biology text which leads me to believe it is a political, not a factual, statement.
What personal life experiences shaped your opinion on the world food crisis?
5 years of education in Environmental Studies and Forest Ecology.
Do you think there is a food crisis?
No, at least not one that is pervasive world wide. If there was one it would be temporary: production would increase or demand would decrease.
Can you suggest other methods that will help meet the growing nutritional needs of our world?
If we co-opted all primary production we would be able to support may 18 billion people on the planet, according to some texts. The solution is improved crop species and increasing the socio-economic well being of persons in the third-world which would decrease population pressures.
__________________
Where there is doubt there is freedom.
|