The simplest equation on making sufficient food happen
Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 8:44AM 
From WSJ interview with Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, CEO of Nestle.
The global middle class means a good billion more have recently had the opportunity to access meat - high protein of choice, especially for growing bodies. When you want meat, it's a 10-times multiplier on grains or vegetables.
Do-able, says the CEO, if you follow one simple rule: "no food for fuel."
Other two rules: don't fear genetic advances and DO charge for water.
Besides some geographic adjustment on climate change, that's really it. We can handle the new demand without problems, no matter what the fear-mongers tell you. But we can't simultaneously chase "energy independence," which is doofus amidst all the other skyrocketing commodity interdependencies, because we cannot will ourselves into not caring about the Gap.
Simple solutions requiring decent political leadership, which appears - on a global scale right now - to be our one great unrenewable resource.
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Reader Comments (3)
Dr Barnett,
The greatest driver of the required political leadership will be the growing middle classes in what you term the 'Gap'. The 'Arab Spring' is an example of the influence and power of this group.
Al Jazeera gets it, the Russian Government does but the West doesn't seem to get it. How can you cut the US Information Service and VOA at a time when engagement with middle classes in 'the Gap' is of utmost importance.
You were lucky that 'facebook' and 'youtube' did the job for you during the Arab Spring, but going forward you might not be that lucky.
Meat eaters are a big problem as we go forward. It takes far more land and resources to produce meat than other useful foods.
I have not eaten meat since 1964. I am 65 this year and stronger than I've ever been. Weights for this old body. I'm biking 10+ miles a day and my cardio is very good. There is not a meat eater within 10 years of me I cannot just physically dominate in this area. The area is pretty small though. ;)
I'm watching many people deteriorate as I age. Meat seems to be not that good for you over time. Got a beautiful 47 year old woman for my new love interest and life is good for this vegetarian.
"When you want meat, it's a 10-times multiplier on grains or vegetables."
What in blazes is he talking about? I too am a vegetarian, get sufficient protein from beans and nuts, and get many more nutrients from fruits and veggies, which is why nutritionists recommend them. Plus meat has unhealthy fat and additives, and requires ten times the water which is bad for the environment.
PS. I'm 74 and can whip any 65-yr-old. Anybody seen one recently? Probably not. Most them eat meat and are long gone to the great pasture in the sky.