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BIODIVERSITY: FOOD SUPPLY DEPENDS ON IT
source: www.globalpolicy.org/
socecon/hunger/economy/2004/
1015biodiversity.htm
http://www.bread.org/learn/
hunger-reports/hunger-report-pdfs
/hunger-report-2000/chapter
-1.pdf
www.fao.org/wfd/
index_en.asp
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Maintain biodiversity in nature and on farms is a fundamental step to tackle hunger and poverty…
- to feed a growing population, agriculture and trade must provide better food accessibility.
- It will also be essential to increase agriculture flexibility by protecting a wide array of life forms with unique traits, such as plants that survive drought or livestock that reproduce in harsh conditions. Sustainable agricultural practices can both feed people and protect biodiversity.
Yet, humans put increasing pressure on species and their environments. As a result, many plants and animals are at risk…
- FAO estimates that about 3/4 of the genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost over the last century;
- just 14 mammal and bird species now provide 90%of the world's food supply from animals;
- just 4 species - wheat, maize, rice and potato - provide 1/2 of our energy from plants.
For the poorest farmers, the diversity of life may be their best protection against starvation.
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