The Royal Society has produced a report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8317511.stm) suggesting that the UK should 'plough' around £2bn into agricultural research to help feed the world's burgeoning population. This would include GM crops as well as other technologies. The report has predictably 'kicked off' lots of comment (some broadly positive but some concerned). Some (http://www.farminguk.com/news/Royal-Society-report-on-science-and-agriculture-GM-not-the-only-answer_17265.html) is very much linked in with negatives to GM but positives in terms of putting more money into agriculture. It is near certain that the world population will double in 20-30 years (increasing the potential 'market'?) but I can't help but feel that overpopulation rather than efficient feeding of people is the more pressing problem. Of course, how to get to a sustainable population in a humane manner is the $64000 question!
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Feeding the World
The Royal Society has produced a report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8317511.stm) suggesting that the UK should 'plough' around £2bn into agricultural research to help feed the world's burgeoning population. This would include GM crops as well as other technologies. The report has predictably 'kicked off' lots of comment (some broadly positive but some concerned). Some (http://www.farminguk.com/news/Royal-Society-report-on-science-and-agriculture-GM-not-the-only-answer_17265.html) is very much linked in with negatives to GM but positives in terms of putting more money into agriculture. It is near certain that the world population will double in 20-30 years (increasing the potential 'market'?) but I can't help but feel that overpopulation rather than efficient feeding of people is the more pressing problem. Of course, how to get to a sustainable population in a humane manner is the $64000 question!
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