Class Questions for Readings, October 14th

Lesley Martin

Global Issues

Article 8: Still Hungry

1.  Who are the two groups that are most effected by chronic hunger?  Is the structure of society to blame for one of these groups’ unending hunger? 

2.  Why is it that developing countries only focus on increasing urban incomes and not in the agricultural sector if that is where the majority of the poor reside?

3.  There have been policies initiatives to encourage gender equality when it comes to education and making decisions in making and sharing resources.  In terms of education is it more important for women to be educated because they are the ‘critical link’ in the well being of households or should policies focus on equity of education between the sexes? 

 Article 12: Water of Life in Peril

1.  In the article, “Still Hungry,” the author states that in order to fight poverty, there needs to be an increase in importance and emphasis in the agricultural sector.  But this article is stating that agriculture is a ‘very thirsty business.’  How can both, the eradication of hunger and the preservation of water, in the agricultural sector be achieved as the same time?

2.  One way to reduce the excess of water use is education.  Should education in agricultural societies focus and incorporate sustainable agricultural practices in order to reduce agricultural water waste?

Common Wealth Ch. 5

Samantha Nestor

Economics for a Crowded Planet by Jeffrey Sachs: Securing Our Water Needs

1- How do you think the lack of water affects the people and populations of countries with almost no irrigation, almost no year-round river runoff and/or infrequent rain fall? Pg. 121/129

2- How does the current climate change affect the stress on the world’s water resources? Pg. 125

3- What can be done to begin preserving the world’s limited source of freshwater?

Common Wealth Ch. 6

Joseph Pramer

Chapter 6: A Home for All Species

1.      What effect does our impact and the changing climate have on the world’s species? What does this mean for the world’s ecosystems? (139-140, 143)

2.      Why is biodiversity important in an ecosystem? (146)

3.      What are some of the plants and animals most severely affected by biodiversity decline and how were these species and their habitats impacted? (141-143)

4.      How can the Green Revolution be improved and applied in Africa without the negative side effects experienced in Asia? (149)

5.      What does Sachs suggest should be done to protect endangered fisheries? (152)

6.      Does Sachs believe that the 2010 goals of biodiversity conservation can still be met? How so? (153-154)

International Futures   Ch. 7

Pieter Dudley

1. The reduction of the portion of humanity that suffers malnutrition by 50 percent between 1990 and 2015 is the second of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Can this goal possibly be met?

2. With food prices increasing significantly, the demand decreases and the number of people that go hungry goes up. What can we do to control and stabilize food prices?

3. We are not currently using all of our available arable land. What can we do to increase our yields in the cultivated land currently in use? 

4. Do you think our private and public leverage will be sufficient to feed growing and more food-demanding populations.
   
5. The chart below is found on Page 131.
   The solid line in the chart below depicts the "Millions of Metric Tons of Cereals" produced from 1960 to 2000.  Look at the Y axis on the left for amounts.  
   The broken line in the chart depicts the "Millions of Hectares" dedicated to crop production from 1960 to 2000.  Look at the Y axis on the right for amounts.  One hectare equals 2.47 acres.
   Question:  On the basis of this chart what can we say about which factor has been more responsible for increasing global food production:  puting more land undercultivation OR growing more food on each acre of land?  Explain..