of food Demographic changes
The world population is set to grow from 6 billion to 9 billion by 2050. The World Bank estimates that cereal production needs to increase by 50% and meat production 80% between 2000 and 2030 to meet demand. Coupled to this, changes in diet due to increased wealth in developing countries such as China and India mean that more meat will be consumed.
Research and Development
To produce even more food on the same amount of land with increasingly unsettled weather and a possible shortage of water will require the
development of new techniques and new plant varieties. This will require investment in research and development on a large scale if we are to continue to feed the world.
Peak Oil
Agriculture in the developed world is very dependent on oil not only to drive machinery but to manufacture fertilisers and other
agrochemicals. If, as many think, we have reached peak oil production then this cost will continue to rise, having an impact on production costs. Scarcity of oil will mean developing new ways of growing food which are less dependent on these chemicals.
Issues around the production and distribution of food are set to continue to be in the forefront of debate for some time to come. As Christians we should keep ourselves informed and be prepared to find ways of sharing Biblical insights with the wider society.
Questions
1. Does your church have a ‘food policy’ such as using Fair Trade products and locally sourced foods at church events and taking care about wastage ?
2. Are members of the congregation encouraged to think about food justice when they shop?
3. What can you do to recover the concept of thankfulness for food?
Revd Elizabeth Clark, Rural Officer for the York and Hull District and the Leeds District of the Methodist Church
With Revd Canon Leslie Morley Rural Officer for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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food and faith
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