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Volume 3 Issue 4

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obesity epidemic as a result of poor nutrition, high meat consumption, and increased processed food consumption. Worldwide, most of the expected demand for an increase in food is not based on a baseline need for nutrients, but rather the growing trend of developing countries to adopt the western diet of meat consumption. It takes substantially more calories to produce meat and ultimately results in a number of health challenges. Not only does this require a higher production of animal feed crops, the raising of animals for meat puts a number of stresses on the environment due to the current system of large, concentrated, and confined animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. Hunger is an issue of politics and justice. It is a choice that we make as a nation and as group of developed countries. In order to tackle these problems of access we need to drastically change our food system. We need an international system of agriculture that supports food sovereignty, regenerative agroecological farming practices, and food security on a regional and local level. GMOs are not the answer. If GMOs are not feeding the world, then what do we do here in the US to decrease worldwide hunger? 1. Overturn Citizens United v. FEC. Citizens United is a Supreme Court case that removed limits on campaign contributions by corporations allowing for unfettered financial influence of US politicians. This has major implications for agriculture and the food system within the US and worldwide as US companies and policies tend to have an international ripple effect. 2. Prevent harmful trade agreements. The US is currently negotiating two major trade agreements, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); both of these agreements further entrench our current failing food system. They will increase worldwide income disparities, increase GE crop production and pesticide use, and continue to spread the poor western diet abroad. 3. Increase programs that work on education and poverty alleviation worldwide. As discussed above, hunger is an issue of equity and poverty. Until these issues are addressed it does not matter how much food is in the world; there will always be unequal distribution and hunger. 4. Petition Congress to make a better farm bill that supports regenerative farming methods and increase funding for it. There has already been an international call for a change in farming practices. The International Assessment Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development (IAASTD) found it essential that we embrace methods of regenerative agriculture. 5. Support international Food Sovereignty. Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through sustainable methods and their right to define their own food and agriculture. Not all regions are the same and they require diverse agricultural and food systems. We must support this movement for developing countries to establish their own systems that allow them to grow cultural foods and sustain their local environments and people. 6. Switch to a more plant-based diet. The more meat we consume as a planet the greater demand we are putting on its precious resources. We should all cut back on our meat consumption, eaten only occasionally if at all. There are lots of wonderful plant-based options and alternatives to meat and other animal products. Don't worry, you will be able to get plenty of protein. Abby's Magazine - July/August 2015 | Page 35

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