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The merits of a systems approach (inputs, stores, transfers, outputs) to compare energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
The physical and human processes that can lead to variations in food consumption
The importance of diffusion (including adoption/acquisition, expansion, relocation) in the spread of agricultural innovations, and the role of geographic factors (including physical, economic and political barriers) in the rate of diffusion
The influence of TNCs (agribusinesses and the media) in shaping food consumption habits
Advantages and disadvantages of contemporary approaches to food production, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), vertical farming and in vitro meat
There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth: the first is by war, as the Romans did, in plundering their conquered neighbors-this is robbery; the second by commerce, which is generally cheating; the third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown-into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry.
–Benjamin Franklin, American Inventor/Statesman (1706-1790)
The merits of a systems approach (inputs, stores, transfers, outputs) to compare energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
The merits of a systems approach (inputs, stores, transfers, outputs) to compare energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
A systems approach is based on the generalization that everything is interrelated and interdependent
The system's approach is used to develop a better understanding of farming. The main idea is:
INPUTS ----- PROCESS ----- OUTPUT
On the board, let's list all of the inputs, processes and outputs of subsistence farming and commercial farms
Include:
Blue water: Fresh surface and groundwater, in other words, the water in freshwater lakes, rivers and aquifers.
Green water: The precipitation on land that does not run off or recharge the groundwater but is stored in the soil or temporarily stays on top of the soil or vegetation.
Grey water: Refers to domestic wastewater generated in households or office buildings from streams without fecal contamination, i.e., all streams except for the wastewater from toilets. Sources of greywater include sinks, showers, baths, washing machines or dishwashers.
Key terms:
Water footprint: The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of fresh water used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business.
Energy efficiency ratio: A property of agricultural systems. It is defined as the ratio of energy out to energy in. The energy out is the energy that the system outputs in the food we eat. The energy in is the energy that the system consumes in order to produce the food. Different types of agriculture systems vary widely in energy efficiency, a fact that has important implications.
Activity:
Create two mindmaps, one with "subsistence agriculture" and one with with "industrial agriculture" in the middle as you watch the following videos considering the SPEED factors that affect farming activities
Activity:
Create two mindmaps, one with "subsistence agriculture" and one with with "industrial agriculture" in the middle as you watch the following videos considering the SPEED factors that affect farming activities
How would these techniques be shared between farmers?
Diffusion
adoption/acquisition
Expansion diffusion
Relocation diffusion
S curve
How could we measure the efficiency of each type of farming?
-Intensive (high inputs/yields per unit area) vs extensive (low inputs/yields per unit area)
-Energy efficiency (EER)
The amount of energy inputs into a system compared with the outputs.
Have a look at table F.6 in N&C p. 289
Lesson 2:
Lesson 2:
The influence of TNCs (agribusinesses and the media) in shaping food consumption habits
The influence of TNCs (agribusinesses and the media) in shaping food consumption habits
Have a look at the video Overviews on Classroom
Define:
TNC
Lobbying
Glocalization
Agribusiness
GMO
Organic Farming
Global Value Chains
Commodity goods
What is the main purpose of a TNC?
Exercise
Exercise
Do not use the internet to answer the following questions:
a) List the countries where the clothes you are wearing at this very moment come from? (You can look at the tags on your clothes)
b) List the countries where the food that you had for breakfast (or dinner last night if you skipped breakfast) come from?
c) Estimate the percentage of the food you eat that comes from the 10 TNCs listed above
d) Which is more important to you, knowing where your food or your clothes come from? Explain your answer
What do you know about the production of the food you eat?
How do TNCs influence the food on your plate in terms of
Variety
Quality
Nutrition
Cultural integrity / influence / assimilation
FOOD Inc
It is strongly recommended to watch all of Food Inc 2, if you have time, before the end of this unit.
As we watch Food Inc 1, think of how TNCs and Government control what we eat, without us even knowing it:
We will watch:
4:10 - 9:20 - TNC influence
17:30 - 24:30 - Government influenced by TNCs
38:50 - 44:30 Poverty and advertising
1:06:10 - 1:20:00 MONSANTO and seed prohibition
What factors can change food prices?
How does the US agribusiness industry affect food security internationally?
Would this be true in Japan?
Each of you will read one of the following articles and explain how TNCs/Advertisers/NGOs/Government are actively shaping people's food consumption habits
At COP30, Brazilian Meat Giant JBS Recommends Climate Policy
Whole Foods, MAHA and the Battle Over Healthy Eating in America
What is Glocalization? (India Focus)
- Your choice of article, with teacher approval, about how TNCs/Advertisers/NGOs/Government are actively shaping people's food consumption habits
Lesson 3:
Lesson 3:
Advantages and disadvantages of contemporary approaches to food production
Advantages and disadvantages of contemporary approaches to food production
Each of you will pick one thinker's perspective on The future of Food and evaluate their main argument
What is the green revolution?
In groups of 2, you will create a short presentation defining, explaining and evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of each of the following. If possible, include a video that is less than 2 minutes.
Your evaluation must consider:
Energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
Diffusion among farmers: adoption/acquisition, expansion, relocation) in the spread of agricultural innovations, and the role of geographic factors (including physical, economic and political barriers) in the rate of diffusion
Include your presentation and videos in this slideshow
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