[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: China and Food (was Re: Ecological Economics and Entropy)



jmc@Steam.stanford.edu (John McCarthy) wrote:

>McGinnis says that China doesn't grow potatoes, and I say the FAO says
>that China grows the most potatoes in the world, and McGinnis says I
>have a knack for ignoring the point.  He has a knack for ignoring the
>facts.

I readily admit my mistake in assuming that China doesn't grow
potatoes. I was disputing Mr. Asher's view that China is capable of
matching the same increases in yields, (to all crops), that have been
enjoyed in the US and elsewhere. They are already trying and realizing
that it's not possible. If you have some facts to disprove this, I
promise not to ignore them.

The imbalance of food distribution throughout the world corresponds in
part to where the lands best suited to agriculture are, not just where
the best technology is being used. Sure, technology and money can
increase yields anywhere, (to a point), but if it costs more to
achieve the same production in Africa for example, this puts them at a
disadvantage - and they already have little enough advantage.  

It is a fact that the developed nations are on land naturally, (ie -
regardless of technology), suited to agriculture. This is no
coincidence obviously, it is part of what allowed these countries to
become successful in the first place.

For interests sake, consider this summary on the effects of global
warming from the book 'Food for All'.
----
In short, global warming is likely to accentuate the existing
imbalance in world food production as the cooler temperate
regions - the industrialized countries - are likely to benefit on the
whole, while the tropical and subtropical regions seem likely to
suffer most. 
----

As global warming is purely the fault of the industrialized nations,
maybe you should ask yourself again if we have any responsibility to
those who are having trouble producing food.


Jason McGinnis



Follow-Ups: References: