Currently, there are 8 billion people that must be fed, but there are also billions of people who can be invited to find the solutions and answers to this challenge.
By
M Zaid Wahyudi
·4 minutes read
AFP/NOAH SEELAM
A vendor uses his mobile phone while waiting for the customers at a wholesale vegetable market in Hyderabad on May 19, 2022.
The human ability to overcome various difficulties and challenges in life has made it possible for the human population to reach 8 billion people. However, the Earth’s large population has raised concerns about the pressures that are placed on the environment for humans to meet their food needs.
This is a reasonable concern considering that supporting—and feeding 8 billion mouths—is not a simple matter. Moreover, massive human growth, which has increased eight times in just the last two centuries, has proven to have greatly reduced the carrying capacity of the environment, leading to environmental damage and climate change.
Eventually, the warming of the Earth will trigger various disasters that threaten human life.
As much as three-quarters of land and two-thirds of Earth’s water has been altered and exploited by humans. Since the industrial revolution started in the late 18th century until now, the Earth’s surface temperature has risen by almost 1.5 degrees Celsius. Eventually, the warming of the Earth will trigger various disasters that threaten human life.
Reducing the population is not a simple solution to ensuring that humans can eat without destroying nature. Reducing the population is not an easy matter because the population increase to 8 billion projected by the United Nations (UN) on 15 Nov. 2022 is the fastest population increase compared to the previous billion increase in population 11 years ago.
FOOD STATION TJIPINANG
The team from PT Food Station Tjipinang visited Sidrap, South Sulawesi, Friday (24/8/2018). The visit was to secure rice stocks in Jakarta in the face of the 2018 long dry season
Many developed countries that have experienced declining fertility have had to bear the consequences, especially due to a lack of manpower and an economic slowdown. Even though their population is smaller, many developed countries are the most wasteful in producing greenhouse gas emissions due to lifestyles that are not environmentally sustainable.
If the consumption patterns of the world’s citizens were the same as the current consumption patterns of Singaporeans, it would take at least 3.7 Earths to sustain all their needs. Meanwhile, if the world’s citizens adopted the consumption patterns of Indonesians with lower income levels, but with a population 47 times that of Singapore, then only 1.1 Earths would be needed.
These patterns very much determine how one can take advantage of one’s own welfare in a responsible manner.
Ecological footprint calculations show that environmental benefits are not determined by a small number of residents, but by way of life and consumption patterns. These patterns very much determine how one can take advantage of one’s own welfare in a responsible manner.
Because of this, many demographers remain optimistic that, despite the world’s large population, there will always be opportunities to make a living. Whether a resource crisis occurs in meeting the needs of 8 billion people is highly dependent on human choices and decisions.
“Experience so far has shown that the world has successfully adapted and found solutions to the problems it faces,” said Patrick Gerland of the UN economics and social affairs department, as quoted by National Geographic on 14 Nov. 2022.
Currently, there are 8 billion people that must be fed, but there are also billions of people who can be invited to find the solutions and answers to this challenge.
The same was expressed by Turro S. Wongkaren, director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Economic and Business from the University of Indonesia, on Thursday (17/11/2022). Humans are always able to find solutions when faced with pressure. These solutions can take many forms, from changing outlooks on life and lifestyle to creating new technology.
“The conflict between economic development and the environment has been ongoing for a long time. However, humans are still able to overcome it,” he said.
Strategy
As the wealth and lifestyle of the West spreads, human food needs also become more uniformed. Consumption patterns have not only increased consumption of grain and rice, but also meat, eggs and dairy products. In fact, the development of animal husbandry will also encourage the expansion of agricultural land for food.
Because of that, “Indonesia is required to have a clear vision and road map in managing the people’s food needs in the future,” said Turro.
Thus far, it has always been assumed that the increase in food demands can be met by expanding agricultural land.
The world is required to meet various food needs in unconventional ways. Thus far, it has always been assumed that the increase in food demands can be met by expanding agricultural land. However, over the past few decades, this approach has proved incapable of overcoming hunger and malnutrition.
Moreover, even though 10 percent of the world’s population are still hungry, 25 percent of the population are overweight and obese, while another 25 percent lack micronutrients. On its website, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) states that the problem the world is facing today is not hunger but efficiency.
In addition to the green economy, Indonesia also has extraordinary potential in the blue economy, however, it has not been optimally utilized. Potential food on land and in the sea not only meet the needs of quality food for the Indonesian population, but can also steer the economy.
