Sustainable Development and Global Food Crisis

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes regarding sustainable development, global food crises, and related socio-economic issues.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Brundtland Commission

A commission that emphasized the social and economic dimensions of sustainability.

Poverty

A condition where a person or community lacks the financial resources to meet basic needs.

Environmental degradation

The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.

Food sovereignty

The right of people to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods.

Agrofuels

Biofuels derived from agricultural products, which pose competition for food crops and can lead to deforestation.

Climate change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Food insecurity

The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

Agroecology

An ecological approach to agriculture that views agricultural areas as ecosystems.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop in a field or farming system at a time.

Resilience

The capacity of a system to absorb disturbances while retaining its fundamental structure.

Ecological degradation

The deterioration in the quality and productivity of the natural environment.

Food sovereignty movement

A global movement that advocates for the rights of people to control their own food systems.

Transgenic crops

Genetically modified crops that have had their DNA altered for specific benefits.

Industrial agriculture

Agricultural production characterized by a high degree of mechanization, the use of synthetic fertilizers, and monocultures.

Environmental democracy

A principle that all people have a right to a healthy environment and the responsibilities to protect it.

Grassroots movements

Local, community-based efforts to initiate social or political change.

Social justice

The view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights.

Ecologically sound practices

Methods that support ecological sustainability in agriculture.

Alternative technologies

Innovative tools and techniques that promote sustainable practices and reduce environmental harm.

Community empowerment

The process of enabling communities to increase control over their lives.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence.

Rural livelihoods

The means by which rural people obtain their daily bread and survive.

Food systems

The interconnected networks involved in producing, processing, distributing, and consuming food.

Tariff removal

The elimination of taxes imposed on imported goods.

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement that has influenced agriculture and trade policies.

Capital accumulation

The growth of capital resources, often associated with economic expansion.

Collective response

A collaborative action by a group to address a shared issue.

Pollinator health

The state of well-being of pollinators that is critical for agricultural productivity.

Crop diversification

The practice of growing a variety of crops to enhance sustainability.

Agroecological strategies

Approaches that integrate ecological principles into agricultural practices.

Food prices

The monetary value assigned to food products.

Ecosystem services

The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems.

Pesticide treadmill

The cycle where farmers are compelled to use more pesticides as pests develop resistance, leading to higher costs.

Foodborne illnesses

Diseases transmitted to humans through contaminated food.

Agrobiodiversity

The variety of species and genetic resources in agriculture.

Sustainable practices

Methods that do not deplete resources or harm the environment.

Input dependency

Reliance on external inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, for agricultural productivity.

Human rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person.

Adaptation strategies

Actions taken to adjust to environmental changes and impacts.

Food accessibility

The ease with which people can obtain food.

Cultural practices

Traditions and customs that influence the way communities engage with agriculture.

Participatory processes

Involvement of stakeholders in decision-making and planning.

Local knowledge

Understanding gained through experience within a specific community.

Fossil fuel dependence

Reliance on non-renewable energy sources for agricultural production.

Social inequality

The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different social groups.

Human health risks

Possibility of adverse health outcomes due to environmental or agricultural practices.

Income disparity

A condition where there is a significant difference in income levels among individuals or groups.

Food distribution networks

Systems and processes involved in delivering food from producers to consumers.

Food production

The process of growing crops and raising livestock for consumption.

Organic farming

Agricultural method that emphasizes the use of natural inputs and sustainable practices.

Soil fertility

The ability of soil to sustain plant growth, providing essential nutrients.

Water management

Strategies to control water resources and ensure sustainable usage.

Diet quality

The nutrient density and healthfulness of the food consumed.

Environmental health

Interdisciplinary field focusing on the interactions between the environment and human health.

Food policy

Guidelines and regulations governing food production, distribution, and consumption.

Land reform policies

Government initiatives aimed at redistributing land to achieve greater economic equality.

Proximate causes of food crisis

Factors that directly lead to food shortages, such as droughts and market fluctuations.

Agrochemical use

The application of chemical substances in agriculture to enhance productivity.

International trade agreements

Pacts between countries governing the exchange of goods and services.

Demand for food

The quantity of food that consumers are willing and able to purchase.

Food not fuel

The principle that food should not be used to produce biofuels.

Livelihood strategies

Plans or approaches individuals use to secure their means of subsistence.

Economic shock

A sudden event that causes a significant change in the economy.

External inputs

Resources brought in from outside the local ecosystem, such as fertilizers and pesticides.

Resilient agroecosystems

Farming systems that maintain productivity despite environmental shocks.

Soil conservation practices

Techniques used to protect soil against degradation and erosion.

Climate adaptations

Methods developed to mitigate effects of climate change on agriculture.

Seed sovereignty

The right of farmers to save, use, exchange, and sell their seeds.

Food justice

The movement to ensure equitable access to food regardless of race, gender, or income.

Indigenous practices

Traditional methods employed by indigenous communities in agriculture.

Innovation in agriculture

Development of new methods or technologies in farming.

Urban agriculture

Growing food within urban areas.

Ecosystem restoration

Processes aimed at recovering and renewing degraded environmental systems.

Transformative agriculture

Farming practices that lead to social and environmental improvement.

Soil erosion

The removal of the top soil layer due to water, wind, or human activity.

Cultural identity

The identity of a group, influenced by culture, customs, and beliefs.

Food deployment systems

Strategies used to distribute food to those in need.

Future agricultural systems

Innovative models of farming addressing sustainability and social equity.

Participatory action research

A collaborative research approach that involves stakeholders in the research process.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Agroford diversity

Diversity of different crops and species on farmland.

Transgenic technology

Genetic engineering used to create organisms with desired traits.

Nutrient management

Practices for maintaining soil fertility and preventing nutrient loss.

Food deserts

Areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

Diversified farming systems

Farming approaches that include a variety of crops and livestock.

Adaptive capacity

The ability to adjust to potential damage, take advantage of opportunities, or respond to consequences.

Sustainable intensification

Increasing food production from existing farmland while minimizing pressure on the environment.

Environmental policies

Guidelines set by governments to regulate human activities that impact the environment.

Land degradation

Decline of land quality, often due to human activity.

Fair Trade

Trade that ensures farmers receive a fair price for their products.

Food coalition

A group formed to advocate for better food systems and policies.

Linkages among issues

Connections between various problems, highlighting their interdependence.

Local food movements

Actions promoting the consumption of food produced locally.

Traditional farming methods

Agricultural practices passed down through generations.

Sustainable resource use

Efficient and effective use of resources to meet current and future needs.

Vertical integration

A strategy where a single company controls multiple stages of production.

Policy frameworks

Structures guiding decision-making processes in governance.

Agroecological transition

A shift toward farming systems that are sustainable and socially equitable.