Feeding a Growing or Declining Population?

 Is our world population on a trend to increase or decrease? Many models show an increase, but some models show a decrease in the long run. Linked below is a story that includes text and a video from the U.S. Farm Report that highlights these discrepancies. We encourage you to explore the text and video linked and utilize the discussion points provided to engage with others in conversation around the globe.

Is agriculture feeding a growing or declining population?

Discussion Points

• What are your initial reactions/thoughts?
• What factors mentioned in the article could cause an increase or decrease in world population? What are other factors that were not mentioned in this piece? Share reasoning with your thoughts.
• Do the different models potentially change the way we look at things in agriculture and food production? Explain your thoughts.
• With data shared and additional research what do you predict our world population to look like in the near and distant future? Why?

Preparing to Feed Growing Urban Populations

Recently for the first time in the history of our world there are more people living in urban areas than rural areas. This number is only going to continue to grow. This brings challenges of feeding our world in a sustainable fashion. Watch the linked video below and utilize the discussion points provided to reflect and guide conversations around the globe!

How will we prepare our towns and cities for a sustainable future?

Discussion Points

• What did you find most surprising from this video and why?
• At one point in the video many possible solutions are shared from more jobs for women to better income for farmers and more. Review these potential solutions. Which do you feel is the most important and why?
• Of the solution you chose in the previous discussion point, how do we achieve this solution?
• How are cities around the world working together to address this issue?