Universal Food Security: This book says we already have the tools we need to solve world hunger

(Part II)

Last week, Glenn Denning, author of Universal Food Security: How to End Hunger While Protecting the Planet, explained why it is possible to achieve universal food security given current resources. Here, he discusses how that can be made possible.

Getting everyone on board

Food security is especially important to governments because food security is highly relevant to national security. “In a world where people are hungry, hungry people are often angry people, and that is actually one of the reasons why governments take this quite seriously, at least in the short term.

The problem with the government is that they do not have the luxury of thinking of the long term and they want to get results quickly. It needs to be made more clear to leaders that a lot of things and challenges that we are facing require a consistent long term effort, and quick fixes are not the answers.”

Denning’s “big five” answers what is needed to ensure a food secure world. He also posits how to get there. “I came to the conclusion that it really comes down to leadership, not just top leadership; it is leadership all through the system, across different sectors, and individuals who are informed and empowered to act, which requires an effort in itself. Of course, it starts at the top; it requires a leader who can articulate how important it is for a country to address food security,” he said.

“I have actually spoken to a few leaders in the past, and I say, ‘Make your political slogan the idea that a well nourished nation is a prosperous nation, so you focus a lot on food security.’ And why is it important for leadership? Top leadership is important because I believe it requires a whole government and society approach. It is now just saying, Ministry of Agriculture, you go on and that is your job. No, it is the Ministry of Agriculture; it is the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Welfare. We need to have this whole government, and it is not just the government but the private sectors. Let us bring this business to the table; let us bring in the NGO'S and the third sector. Universities have to be part of all these.”

A world without hunger

A holistic way of managing already available resources is needed, and that requires a broad vision that is able to connect different areas and a leadership strong enough to see it through. “You can start with rice production, but it should not stop there. There should be support for vegetable production, healthy alternative sources of vitamins, and also livestock, which should be done sustainably in ways that do not damage the environment but are positive to the environment. And if you do that effectively, you can also reduce the pressure on the environment. You can stop deforestation and damage to coral reefs and in educating the next generation about the importance of this goal is important. To make the food system relatable, Denning suggests that students are taught the basics of cooking. “I personally believe that every student should understand the importance of food and diet because food science and preparation should be a required course in the same way that learning to read and learning quantitative mathematical skills,” he said. “This is a life skill that you need for the rest of your life, like reading, writing, and basic math skills. So I would definitely try to work with your education leaders to incorporate this; more young people need to learn how to cook, which is one thing that people are interested in these days by creative cooking.”

Achieving universal food security is possible, but not easy. Just as there is no one cause of the problem, there is no quick fix. “...this idea that it is going to take more than a miracle… it would not happen without actual individuals, with hands-on partnerships with the whole of society… where you bring everybody around a table together to solve the problem. I think it is possible, but as I say in the final words of the final chapter, who is going to step up and lead? I am throwing it back to the reader to say that you can lead; step up… [and] we have a real chance of achieving this vision.”