GEN 499
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GEN499Wk4journal.docx1
Food and Water Security
Jasmine Jones
University of Arizona Global Campus
GEN 499: General Education Capstone
Instructor: Joshua Truitt
December 5, 2021
Food and Water Security
Introduction
Food and water are essential resources for human existence. With the increasing number of people globally, various strategies have been developed to increase agricultural productivity to meet the high demand. On the other hand, water is critical in meeting food needs (D'Odorico et al., 2018). However, there is a challenge in ensuring sustainable food and water security. Food and water are inseparable because agricultural production needs water, while the same process also affects water resources. Globalization has opened up markets leading to international trade, hence transferring the water and food security challenge from local to global levels. Therefore, food and water security sustainment has become complex due to interdependencies experienced globally. For instance, changes in socio-environmental and economic factors in a particular region are likely to impact another area's food and water security. As discussed, the drivers and contributors of globalization have severe impacts on food and water security, requiring appropriate interventions to promote food and water security.
Background of Food and Water Security
Food security entails access to adequate and safe food for all that meets their nutrient requirements and needs (Hameed et al., 2019). Therefore, food security covers issues of quantity and demand of the people. Food security is affected by production, distribution, and consumption systems influenced by agriculture and trade policies. Globally, food demand is steadily rising due to demographic growth as most parts of the world experience high population growth (D'Odorico et al., 2018). Moreover, the demand for products like those of animals has grown. However, with increased demand for animal products, livestock supply increases to meet the need. The situation has worsened food security, creating competition between crop production for human beings and livestock.
As the world is working to ensure enough food supply to cater to the growing demand, adverse environmental consequences are evident. For example, fertilizers and herbicides are used extensively in agriculture for faster and more yields. In the process, soil and water pollution has increased, leading to long-term adverse effects on food security (D'Odorico et al., 2018). Moreover, other secondary impacts like acid rain have resulted from the overapplication of commercial fertilizers. On the other hand, soil tillage has intensified, affecting soil formation and considerable loss.
The globalization of food systems has created numerous concerns on food security while causing adverse impacts on public health. As the world continues to push for economic liberalization, various policies have been implemented that have affected local institutions while favoring others, especially developed nations. Despite the agreement on policies governing food production, distribution, and consumption, developed countries have yet to implement them for sovereignty thoroughly. On the other hand, developing countries have adopted foreign consumption habits leading to emergent forms of malnutrition like obesity (Young, 2004). The challenge is worsened by the poor implementation of policies that guide the marketing of subsidized foods in international markets.
On the other hand, water security entails adequate amounts of water capable of sustaining the living of people and is free of pollutants hence supporting a sustainable ecosystem (Hameed et al., 2019). Water is essential in human life and is applied in vast activities such as drinking, domestic use, agricultural usage, and industrial purposes. In recent years, the rate of industrial and household usage has increased in urban centers and is expected to continue with the trend. Therefore, the competing needs of freshwater are rising daily, and the challenge is extended to rural areas from where the sources of water flow.
The scarcity of freshwater threatens water security in many regions due to globalization effects. Factors such as overpopulation and lack of policies on safe water use contribute to the scarcity of fresh water. Although desalinization is applied in some areas, the technology has failed to solve the problem of freshwater scarcity because it is limited to a small-scale application (D'Odorico et al., 2018). Therefore, water required for household usage can only benefit from desalinization, leaving out commercial uses that require substantial amounts.
Moreover, food production has impacted water security. As the world population keeps rising, there is increased demand for food (Hameed et al., 2019). Hence, the production process has interfered with the water system to ensure enough food supply. An example is clearing forests for agricultural activities, leading to the destruction of a significant water resource (D'Odorico et al., 2018). Forests are essential in reducing the land’s evaporation rates than farmlands. Additionally, globalization has led to the commodification of water, and water markets are a common phenomenon. However, water security is threatened due to the lack of proper guidance on trading water resources. Similarly, commodifying water raises an ethical concern, given that it is a fundamental right.
Solutions to Water and Food Security
Food and water security are achievable amid the unfavorable environment in the world. One of the measures is the application of methods that increase efficiency while preserving resilience (D'Odorico et al., 2018). For instance, food production should be done without involving activities that affect the environment and lead to future destruction. Stakeholders should identify areas within the food and water systems that result in inefficiencies and establish mechanisms of eliminating them without reducing their quantities and availabilities. For example, crop redistribution is significant in reducing the amount of water required and eliminating the use of irrigation in crop production. Similarly, efficient fertilizer use in agriculture is required, with an example of nitrogen fertilizers that prove effective in preserving soil and the overall environment. However, the resilient ways may increase consumption rates instead of reducing them. In addition, clarity is required on the resources to use efficiently, and the majority of efficient ways of production lack resilience.
Another effective solution to the problem of food and water security is changing consumption rates (D'Odorico et al., 2018). An example of an area that can promote change in consumption rate is population control. Hence, managing the population factor is essential in achieving sustainability. In areas experiencing high population growth, policies are needed to empower people to have manageable families. Similarly, promoting sustainable and healthy habits will solve the food and water challenge. Behaviors such as overconsumption are common globally. Also, unhealthy diets are evident as some people depend more on certain meals (Spring, 2020). Public awareness and education on alternative and sustainable methods are crucial in this case. However, the solution is likely to face opposition because of people's appreciation and belief in their dietary habits.
Additionally, reuse and waste reduction are essential aspects of achieving food and water security (D'Odorico et al., 2018). Studies indicate high levels of food and freshwater waste across the world. Therefore, strategies are required to reduce and prevent practices that lead to wastage. The water and food systems should be examined to identify inefficiencies that are possible reasons for the high amounts of wastes recorded. In addition, proper planning is needed to ensure safe storage mechanisms are in place to prolong food availability and reduce spoilage. On the other hand, developing policies to prevent overbuying by retailers is vital in reducing wastage. In terms of water security, recovery and use of wastewater are essential to promote its sustainability. For example, irrigation water can be obtained from other areas to prevent large amounts of water lost in the process.
Conclusion
Food and water security remain a significant challenge globally due to globalization effects. Water and food systems have been stretched due to the increased demand, while the current infrastructure fails to offer solutions to the challenge. However, solutions are possible with implementation measures that enhance efficiency while preserving resilience, changing consumption rates, and encouraging waste reduction and reuse.
Reference
Dermody, B. J., Sivapalan, M., Stehfest, E., Van Vuuren, D. P., Wassen, M. J., Bierkens, M. F., & Dekker, S. C. (2018). A framework for modelling the complexities of food and water security under globalisation. Earth System Dynamics, 9(1), 103-118.
Hameed, M., Moradkhani, H., Ahmadalipour, A., Moftakhari, H., Abbaszadeh, P., & Alipour, A. (2019). A review of the 21st-century challenges in the food-energy-water security in the Middle East. Water, 11(4), 682.
Spring, Ú. O. (2020). On Health and Water Security. Earth at Risk in the 21st Century: Rethinking Peace, Environment, Gender, and Human, Water, Health, Food, Energy Security, and Migration, 18, 365.
Young, E.M. (2004). Globalization and food security: novel questions in a novel context? Progress in Development Studies, 4, 1 - 21.
