Food Security: Everybody's business | Sophie Healy-Thow | TEDxYouth@TheSpire

Summary

In this inspiring talk, Sophie Healy-Pal, a 17-year-old advocate for food security, addresses the global food crisis and the need for change. She highlights the three key phases of food security: availability, access, and appropriate use. Sophie shares her experience in using bacteria to enhance crop yields and emphasizes the importance of education in solving global hunger. She calls for global cooperation, technological innovation, and educating youth about food security. By connecting small-scale farmers in the developing world with advanced technology and knowledge, Sophie believes we can empower communities and work towards ending hunger.

Takeaways

• 😀 Food security is a global issue, not just limited to the developing world. It affects both developing and developed nations.
• 😀 There are three key phases of food security: availability, access, and use, which involve everyone from small-scale farmers to large agricultural businesses and scientists.
• 😀 842 million people were affected by chronic hunger between 2011-2013, and this number is on track to increase to 1 billion.
• 😀 Despite producing enough food to feed the world twice over, 60% of global food is wasted.
• 😀 Obesity and overeating have become serious issues in developed nations, with Ireland showing a 62% obesity rate, highlighting a stark contrast to global hunger issues.
• 😀 By 2050, we will need 60% more food to feed the growing global population.
• 😀 Educating young people about food security is crucial as they can bridge the gap between rich and poor countries and help solve global hunger.
• 😀 Small-scale farmers in the developing world can greatly benefit from technological advancements, like satellite tech and mobile apps, to increase crop yields and sustainability.
• 😀 Public-private partnerships and government investments in agricultural technology, such as drought-resistant crops, are key to improving food security.
• 😀 Urbanization is threatening small-scale farming, but innovative solutions like urban vertical farming and city farms offer potential solutions to food security challenges in cities.
• 😀 Programs like 'Healthy Food for All' in Ireland and similar initiatives globally, such as the 'Food and Trees Program' in Africa, are teaching young people how to farm and contribute to food security in their communities.

Q & A

What are the three phases of food security mentioned in the script?

The three phases of food security are availability, access, and use. Availability refers to having enough food consistently; access means having enough food for a nutritious diet, which should be equitable; and use involves the appropriate utilization of food based on knowledge of nutrition and care.

Why is food security not just a problem for the developing world?

Food security is a global issue, not confined to the developing world. Both developed and developing countries face challenges in food security, such as unequal access to nutritious food, food waste, and environmental challenges affecting food production.

What was the focus of Sophie Healy-Pal’s project that helped her get involved in food security?

Sophie Healy-Pal worked on a project using a naturally occurring bacteria to speed up the germination rate of crops, increasing crop yields by up to 74%. This sparked her involvement in food security and exposed her to various people and initiatives focused on addressing global hunger.

What does the speaker think about the way food security is generally viewed?

The speaker believes that food security is often viewed through a victim or aid lens, which needs to change. Instead, the focus should be on empowerment, collaboration, and finding innovative solutions to address the problem globally.

What alarming statistic is shared regarding global hunger?

The speaker shares that 842 million people were suffering from chronic hunger between 2011 and 2013, and this number is projected to reach 1 billion people. Despite this, enough food is produced globally to feed the world twice over, yet 60% of food is wasted.

What role does education play in solving food security issues?

Education, especially for young people, is seen as key to addressing food security. Teaching children about the value of food, its production, and the importance of a nutritious diet can bridge gaps between rich and poor countries and empower future generations to address food security issues.

How can technology help improve food security, especially for small-scale farmers?

Technology can assist small-scale farmers by providing tools to improve crop yields, manage resources efficiently, and access relevant information. Technologies like satellite mapping, mobile phone apps, and soil testing kits can help farmers optimize crop production and reduce water usage.

What does the speaker say about the growing trend of urbanization?

The speaker mentions that urbanization is one of the largest phases in history, with many people moving from rural areas to cities, causing urban sprawl and the destruction of small-scale farms. This shift presents challenges in ensuring food security, but innovative solutions, such as urban farming, are being explored.

How is Ireland contributing to food security?

In Ireland, initiatives like 'Healthy Food for All' and the 'Growing Yourself Schools Campaign' aim to teach children and communities about food production and sustainable agriculture. Programs have already reached 20,000 children, with the goal to involve 100,000 young people in farming by 2015.

What is the significance of the Inca civilization's food distribution system in the context of food security?

The speaker highlights the Inca civilization's system of storing surplus food and distributing it efficiently through a robust government framework. This historical example demonstrates the potential for organized systems to ensure food security, which can inspire modern solutions.