Case Solvency

Obama already pushing to strengthen food security

A first-time US-hosted summit on protecting the oceans has resulted in pledges worth some $800 million to be used for conservation efforts.¶ During the summit, held here in Washington, the administration of President Barack Obama pledged to massively expand US-protected parts of the southern Pacific Ocean.¶ In an effort to strengthen global food security, the president has also announced a major push against illegal fishing and to create a national strategic plan for aquaculture.¶ “If we drain our resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanity’s greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s leading sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States,” President Obama said via video on Tuesday morning.¶ The “Our Ocean” conference, held on Monday and Tuesday at the US State Department, brought together ministers, heads of state, as well as civil society and private sector representatives from almost 90 countries.¶ The summit, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry, focused on overfishing, pollution and ocean acidification, all of which threaten global food security.¶ In his opening remarks, Kerry noted that ocean conservation constitutes a “great necessity” for food security.¶ “More than 3 billion people, 50 percent of the people on this planet, in every corner of the world depend on fish as a significant source of protein,” he said.¶ Proponents hope that many of the solutions being used by US scientists, policymakers and fishermen could serve to help international communities.¶ “There is increasing demand for seafood with diminished supply…. We need to find ways to make seafood sustainable to rich and poor countries alike,” Danielle Nierenberg, the president of FoodTank, a Washington think tank, told IPS.¶ “For instance, oyster harvesters in the Gambia have really depleted the oyster population, but a US-sponsored project has been able to re-establish the oyster beds—by leaving them alone for a while. The same strategy—to step back a bit—worked with lobster fishers in New England.”¶ Nierenberg predicted that with diminishing wild fish, the future of seafood would be in aquaculture.¶ “What aquaculture projects need to do now is learn from the mistakes made from crop and livestock agriculture,” she said. “It doesn’t always work—for instance, maize and soybeans create opportunities for pest and disease. Overcrowding animals creates manure.”

Food Security 2NC – Doesn’t get to the Food Insecure

Won’t feed the poor – food will go to livestock, nourished countries and trade.

Allison Dec 5, 2011 (Edward H. Allison, marine biology degree, a PhD in fisheries assessment and management, Professor at the University of Washington Seattle · School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, Director and principal scientist - Policy, Economics and Social Science WorldFish Center, “Aquaculture, Fisheries, Poverty and Food Security.” Dec 5, 2011 http://www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/WF_2971.pdf Page 38. 7/4/14 J.M.)

At first glance, the idea that a low income food deficit country whose population suffers high rates of malnutrition ¶ should be exporting nutritious food to over-fed consumers in wealthy countries appears abhorrent. This is surely ¶ a market without morality, little better than the ‘noxious markets’ trading in, say, human kidneys (Satz, 2010). ¶ Apparently equally problematic is the idea that low cost fish that could be eaten by undernourished low-income ¶ consumers is instead fed to poultry, pigs and (mostly) farmed fish, destined for the tables of the over-nourished ¶ (see section 3.3, for a partial refutation of that argument). Such views are, however, based on an over-simplified ¶ and sometimes simply inaccurate representation of the globalized trade in fishery products. This is not to deny ¶ that such criticisms may be valid in some circumstances, but to demonize trade in general closes down an ¶ important route out of poverty (and hunger) through economic growth. Equally, to uncritically state that trade ¶ is - under all conditions and for everyone - good for poverty reduction, and therefore food security, is also an ¶ over-simplification.

Food Security 2NC – Overfishing – A2: Plan Solves

Can’t change feeding practices – the science isn’t ready and it’s not economical

Folke et al. Nov 13, 2006 (Lisa Deutsch- Director of Studies and center researcher, researches ecological effects of globalization of food production systems and national policy, PhD in Natural Resource Management at the Department of Systems Ecology, Sara Gräslund- Junior Professional Officer, International Waters, Global Environment Facility, Carl Folke- Director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Director of the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Max Troell- Associate Professor, Systems Ecologist. Researcher at the Beijer Institute and Stockholm University, Miriam Huitric- PhD Programme Director Social-Ecological Resilience for Sustainable Development, Nils Kautskya- PhD Marine Systems Ecology, Professor Marine Ecotoxicology, Louis Lebeld- Ph.D Zoology from University of Western Australia, “Feeding aquaculture growth through globalization: Exploitation of marine ecosystems for fishmeal” Global Environmental Change Volume 17, Issue 2, May 2007, Pages 238–249. Available online 13 November 2006. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378006000719 6/28/14)

While significant research is underway to reduce the percentage of fishmeal in feed, the success of these efforts is unclear (Hardy, 1999; Tacon, 2004). In general, fishmeal protein has not proven highly substitutable (Sugiura et al., 2000 cited in Hardy and Tacon, 2002; Webster et al., 1999). Various alternatives to fish protein in feeds are being evaluated, including waste from seafood processing plants; terrestrial animal by-product meals (Tacon, 2002); synthetic amino acids (as used in livestock feed (Deutsch and Björklund, unpublished manuscript); agricultural by-products, such as palm kernal expellents (Tacon, 2002); or unicellular bacteria, fungi and algae (Tacon, 2002). However, it remains to be seen whether these alternatives are economical and can actually be used in commercial aquaculture; some present potential human health risks, for example fish wastes often contain toxic contaminants (Hites et al., 2004). While industry acknowledges the problem and the portion of fishmeal in feed is in fact decreasing in several species—increases in production volumes, especially for such dominant species as carp, has meant that efficiency increases have been more than counterbalanced by growth in production (Goldburg et al., 2001).¶ The aquaculture industry does not perceive increased demands for fishmeal as a potentially insurmountable problem. It is predicted instead that aquaculture will increase its use of fishmeal at the expense of pig and poultry production because these animals can substitute vegetable proteins, such as soybeans, in their diets (Seafeeds, 2003) and use synthetic amino acids. This has indeed been the pattern of development historically, since the amount of fishmeal used in the animal feed industries has remained relatively constant between 25 and 34 Mt (Tacon, 2003c), while the aquaculture sector has continuously increased its use of fishmeal (see Box 1).

Food Security 2NC – Alt Cause

Alt cause – global shift to commodity crops displaces food crops

Sustainable Table 14

Various political-agricultural practices contribute to food insecurity worldwide. These include substituting commodity crops for food crops (e.g., growing corn instead of vegetables) and heavy exportation of food crops at the expense of food security of the exporting country. In addition, the recent demand for biofuels, currently produced primarily from corn and soy, has further decreased the amount of viable arable land being used for food production. ¶ The United States overproduces commodity crops (particularly corn, wheat, and soy) in part due to government subsidization; healthful food and sustainable agriculture has not been historically promoted in US food and farming policy. The FAO’s definition of food security includes a provision describing access to “nutritious” food; however, in many low-income areas, it is easier to access cheap, unhealthful food (such as fast food), often produced primarily from commodity crops. In addition, the US exports a high proportion of its commodity crops to the rest of the world. For example, in 2010, over 53 percent of all corn exports in the world were from the US. The exportation of these commodity crops affects farmers in the rest of the world – especially small farmers with limited resources. A large influx of commodity crops from the US can affect local food security, as small farmers cannot compete with less expensive (subsidized) US-produced agricultural products. ¶

Alt cause – lack of investment in agriculture, natural disasters, displacement, and food wastage

WFP ‘14

World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger, as well as the United Nations frontline agency. “Hunger: What Causes Hunger?”. 2014. http://www.wfp.org/hunger/causes

The world produces enough to feed the entire global population of 7 billion people. And yet, one person in eight on the planet goes to bed hungry each night. In some countries, one child in three is underweight. Why does hunger exist? There are many reasons for the presence of hunger in the world and they are often interconnected. Here are six that we think are important. Poverty trap People living in poverty cannot afford nutritious food for themselves and their families. This makes them weaker and less able to earn the money that would help them escape poverty and hunger. This is not just a day-to-day problem: when children are chronically malnourished, or ‘stunted’, it can affect their future income, condemning them to a life of poverty and hunger. In developing countries, farmers often cannot afford seeds, so they cannot plant the crops that would provide for their families. They may have to cultivate crops without the tools and fertilizers they need. Others have no land or water or education. In short, the poor are hungry and their hunger traps them in poverty. Lack of investment in agriculture. Too many developing countries lack key agricultural infrastructure, such as enough roads, warehouses and irrigation. The results are high transport costs, lack of storage facilities and unreliable water supplies. All conspire to limit agricultural yields and access to food. Investments in improving land management, using water more efficiently and making more resistant seed types available can bring big improvements. Research by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization shows that investment in agriculture is five times more effective in reducing poverty and hunger than investment in any other sector. Climate and weather. Natural disasters such as floods, tropical storms and long periods of drought are on the increase -- with calamitous consequences for the hungry poor in developing countries. Drought is one of the most common causes of food shortages in the world. In 2011, recurrent drought caused crop failures and heavy livestock losses in parts of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. In 2012 there was a similar situation in the Sahel region of West Africa. In many countries, climate change is exacerbating already adverse natural conditions. Increasingly, the world's fertile farmland is under threat from erosion, salination and desertification. Deforestation by human hands accelerates the erosion of land which could be used for growing food. War and displacement. Across the globe, conflicts consistently disrupt farming and food production. Fighting also forces millions of people to flee their homes, leading to hunger emergencies as the displaced find themselves without the means to feed themselves. The conflict in Syria is a recent example. In war, food sometimes becomes a weapon. Soldiers will starve opponents into submission by seizing or destroying food and livestock and systematically wrecking local markets. Fields are often mined and water wells contaminated, forcing farmers to abandon their land. Ongoing conflict in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo has contributed significantly to the level of hunger in the two countries. By comparison, hunger is on the retreat in more peaceful parts of Africa such as Ghana and Rwanda. Unstable markets. In recent years, the price of food products has been very unstable. Roller-coaster food prices make it difficult for the poorest people to access nutritious food consistently. The poor need access to adequate food all year round. Price spikes may temporarily put food out of reach, which can have lasting consequences for small children. When prices rise, consumers often shift to cheaper, less-nutritious foods, heightening the risks of micronutrient deficiencies and other forms of malnutrition. Food wastage. One third of all food produced (1.3 billion tons) is never consumed. This food wastage represents a missed opportunity to improve global food security in a world where one in 8 is hungry. Producing this food also uses up precious natural resources that we need to feed the planet. Each year, food that is produced but not eaten guzzles up a volume of water equivalent to the annual flow of Russia's Volga River. Producing this food also adds 3.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, with consequences for the climate and, ultimately, for food production.

Alt causes - climate change

CFS 2/27/14 (Center for Food Safety is a non-profit organization working to advocate environmental reform to advance human health through regulating harmful food production and promoting sustainable organic agriculture, “New Report Connects Climate Change & Food Insecurity” – February 27, 2014 – http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/2948/new-report-connects-climate-change-and-food-insecurity)

Underscores Organic Agriculture's Climate Resilience Food security requires a stable climate and, according to a new report released today by Center for Food Safety’s Cool Foods Campaign, this security is being jeopardized by climate change. The report, “Food and Climate: Connecting the Dots, Choosing the Way Forward,” outlines the climate requirements for successful food production, and examines two competing food production methods – industrial and organic – to reveal how they contribute to the climate problem, how resilient they are in the face of escalating climate shocks, and how organic agriculture can actually help to solve the climate crisis. “It isn’t widely discussed, but the industrialization of our food supply is a major driver of global climate change, and, ironically, this is undermining our future ability to produce an adequate supply of food” said Cool Foods Campaign director Diana Donlon. “In fact, taken in the aggregate, the global food system is responsible for approximately half of all greenhouse gases.” Droughts and heat waves in 2012 in the U.S. alone affected approximately 80 percent of agricultural land, causing an estimated $30 billion in damages. Already in 2014, California, which produces nearly half the nation’s fruits and vegetables, is experiencing the worst drought in its 153 year history. In the report, Center for Food Safety examines how industrial agriculture – the dominant method of food production in the U.S. – externalizes many social and environmental costs while relying heavily on fossil fuels. Organic farming, by comparison, requires half as much energy, contributes far fewer greenhouse gasses, and, perhaps most surprisingly, is more resilient in the face of climate disruption. “While our current climate trajectory is daunting, a future defined by food insecurity and climate chaos is not inevitable. We can still alter our course. Regenerative, organic agriculture has tremendous, untapped potential to strengthen food security while adapting to climate uncertainties and even helping to mitigate them,” said Donlon.

Many causes of food insecurity – aff can’t solve because there are too many factors such as climate change, corruption, diseases, and population growth

Harvest Help ’12 (Harvest Help is a website designed to detail food crises, international response, causes of food insecurity, and ways to aid in these problems, specifically in Africa and third-world countries. “Causes of Food Insecurity in African and Other Third World Countries” – 2012 – http://www.harvesthelp.org.uk/causes-of-food-insecurity-in-african-and-other-third-world-countries.html)

The majority of the severest food crises after the second half of the 20th century were caused by a combination of several factors. The most common causes of food insecurity in African and other Third World countries were: Drought and other extreme weather events. The comparison of the severest food crises in the later history reveals that all were preceded by drought or other extreme weather events. They resulted in poor or failed harvests which in turn resulted food scarcity and high prices of the available food. Pests, livestock diseases and other agricultural problems. In addition to extreme weather events, many failed harvests in African and other Third World countries were also caused by pests such as desert locusts. Cattle diseases and other agricultural problems such as erosion, soil infertility, etc. also play a role in food insecurity. Climate change. Some experts suggest, that drought and extreme weather in regions affected by food crises in the recent decades could be a result of climate change, especially in the West and East Africa which have problems with recurrent extreme droughts. Military conflicts. Wars and military conflicts worsen food insecurity in African and other Third World countries. They may not be directly responsible for food crises but they exacerbate scarcity of food and often prevent the aid workers from reaching the most affected people. Lack of emergency plans. History of the severest food crises shows that many countries were completely unprepared for a crisis and unable to resolve the situation without international aid. Corruption and political instability. In spite of criticism lately, the international community has always send help in the form of food supplies and other means which saved millions of lives in the affected regions. However, the international aid often did not reach the most vulnerable populations due to a high level of corruption and political instability in many Third World countries. Cash crops dependence. Many African and Third World governments encourage production of the so-called cash crops, the income from which is used to import food. As a result, countries which depend on cash crops are at high risk of food crisis because they do not produce enough food to feed the population. AIDS. The disease which is a serious public health concern in the sub-Saharan Africa worsens food insecurity in two ways. Firstly, it reduces the available workforce in agriculture and secondly, it puts an additional burden on poor households. Rapid population growth. Poor African and Third World countries have the highest growth rate in the world which puts them at increased risk of food crises. For example, the population of Niger increased from 2.5 million to 15 million from 1950 to 2010. According to some estimations, Africa will produce enough food for only about a quarter population by 2025 if the current growth rate will continue.

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