Session 5 Slides

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Session 5 Slides
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Slides for Activity 1
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Origins of Food by Region
North America Avocados, sunflower seeds, Maize
(corn)
Asia Sugar cane, rice, mangoes, yams
Europe Apples, green beans, carrots, wheat, beets
Central America Peppers, beans, cocoa
India Cotton
Africa Coffee, Radishes, Watermelon, yams
South America Potatoes, tomatoes, Peanuts
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Origins of food Did you know . . .
Over 25 species of rice exist. Over 30 species
of sugar cane exist. Yams were first cultivated
in western Africa and Asia c. 8000 BCE and can
grow to 2.5 meters! Cotton has been grown in
India for over 6,000 years. It was found in
caves in Mexico at least 7,000 years ago. At
least 50 species of maize exist. A cocoa tree
looks like this
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Slides for Activity 3
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The Agricultural Revolution
Domestication of plants and animals emerged on
different continents from /- 9500-3500 BCE
(before common era).
Enabled permanent settlements, population growth,
and the development of cities.
Enabled specialization of labor bureaucracies
emergence to manage growing trade
New tools and methods impacted the landscape
overgrazing and deforestation were likely problems
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Emergence of Domestication of Plants and Animals
Southern Europe 5,700 BCE. Cattle, tuna
Near east (fertile Crescent) 9,500 Sheep, goats,
pigs, wild barley emmer
North China 8,700 BCE, Rice pigs,

Southwest U.S. 4,200 BCE Sunflower seeds
Eastern U.S., 4,500 BCE wild gourd,sunflower
seed in western U.S.
South China 8,500 BCE Water caltrop, foxnut
Central Mexico c. 9,000 BCE. Squash, beans, maize
Sub-Saharan Africa 4,000 BCE. Cattle,
South Centra l Andes, 7,000 BCE Squash, beans,
quinua, manioc, potatoes, llamas, guinea pigs
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Columbian Exchange/Colonialism
Columbus journey set had economic, environmental
and ecological changes

• Exchange of food between New and Old Worlds
  (tomatoes and potatoes from Americas to Europe
  cattle from Europe to Americas)

• Change in agriculture and grazing impacted the
  landscape.

• Establishment of colonies and subjugation of
  indigenous people.

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Origins Of Food By Region
Over 30 species of sugar cane exist
North America Avocados, sunflower seeds, Maize
(corn)
Asia Sugar cane, rice, mangoes, yams
Europe Apples, green beans, carrots, wheat, beets
At least 50 species of maize exist
Central America Peppers, beans, cocoa
Cotton has been grown in India for over 6,000
years
Yams were first cultivated in western Africa and
Asia c. 8000 BCE and can grow to 2.5 meters!
Cotton was found in Mexico at least 7,000 years
ago
Africa Coffee, Radishes, Watermelon, yams
South America Potatoes, tomatoes, Peanuts
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Cycle of debt created by colonial economic system
Indigenous people colonized best lands taken for
export crops taxes imposed.
Colonized people pushed into export-based farming
to get cash for taxes. Food production for local
people pushed to marginal lands.
Debt increases more land needed to export
agriculture.
Colonizing countries control purchasing products
sell for very little.
(Lappe, 1986)
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Scientific Revolution 15-16th century

• Changes in how the world was viewed
• Global circumnavigation
• Sun (not the earth) is the center of the universe

• Thinkers of the era establish a mechanistic
  worldview
• Bacon From parts to whole the world is a
  machine
• Descartes Separation of physical and spiritual
  nature must be mastered

Expert knowledge valued over traditional ways
of knowing
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Eating the Leftovers of WWII
Nitrogen is plentiful in atmosphere, but
lightning or certain bacteria are needed to make
it available to plants. This was a limiting
factor in plant growth.
Fritz Haber developed a process to fix nitrogen
directly from the atmosphere. Technology use for
explosives in WWII.
Technology then used for agriculture. Enabled
explosive growth by removing reliance on
naturally fixed nitrogen.
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The Green Revolution
1960s High Yield Variety seeds designed to
increase production on large-scale farms with
high levels of fertilizers and other inputs.
Goal End hunger.
Results in dramatic increases in production in
some areas, but in 2008, 800 million still
hungry.
Unintended consequences loss of biodiversity,
environmental damage, debt and economic
dependency.
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Cycle of debt and the Green Revolution
Governments adopt High Yield Variety seeds.
Farmers take out loans to buy seeds, fertilizers,
machinery.
Debt results. Need to boost production.
A small of buyers control purchasing farmers
sell crops for less than cost of inputs.
(Lappe, 1986)
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1970s Get big or get out.
1960s High Yield Variety seeds designed to
increase production on large-scale farms with
high levels of fertilizers and other inputs.
Goal End hunger.
Results in dramatic increases in production in
some areas, but in 2008, 800 million still
hungry.
Unintended consequences loss of biodiversity,
environmental damage, debt and economic
dependency.
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Get big or get out Cycle of expansion and debt
Farmers must expand production to stay
competitive.
Smaller farms are driven out of business or take
out more loans to increase production.
Farmers take out loans to expand production.
Increased production can reduce crop prices,
reducing farmers profits.
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The Gene Revolution
Humans have practiced selective breeding (in
multiple forms) since the beginning of
agriculture. Methods traditionally bred within
the same species
Current practices of genetic modification
introduces genes from different species - this is
a key difference from earlier practices.
1980 Supreme Court ruled anything under the sun
made by man can be patented human-created
genetic alteration necessary for patent.
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GMOs Key Arguments

• Supporters say
• GMOs are just another form of selective breeding,
  which has been practiced by humans for thousands
  of years
• GMOs are needed to boost production.
• GMOs can improve nutrition for the poor.
• GMOs are natural and therefore safe.
• Companies should be rewarded for innovation
  regulation will stifle this.

• Critics say
• Current GMO practices cross-breed genes from
  different species.
• The world already produces more than enough food
  to feed everyone scarcity isnt the problem.
• The poor need increased access to health care and
  existing nutritious foods.
• GMOs create new life forms and precautions needs
  to be taken.
• Genes are the basis of life. Decision-making and
  oversight should occur in open, democratic forums.