Feed for livestock production and self-fueling compared to farm surplus (upper figure), imported energy like fuels and fertilizers (lower figure), and the primary biomass equivalent (crop yield) of external energy (upper figure) over time. The right end of the figure gives the composition of current feed among grasses, annual fodder, straw, and grain and the split of the external energy inputs among mechanical power, fertilizers, and heat. (Harchaoui 2018)

Overview

In this module, you will explore issues related to our current food system, including industrial farming practices, food deserts and hunger. You will also explore food justice and your own food habits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

Evaluate information scientifically in the context of his/her own life
Identify and evaluate instances where population growth and humans' use of resources impacts the natural environment.
Use the concept of sustainability to critique global and local environmental issues, and identify the steps that can be taken to improve environmental conditions and actively participate in solutions to environmental problems.
Interpret and explain basic scientific data represented in graphs and charts.

Why This is Important

The food system is a complex system that illustrates the interconnectedness of various social, economic, heath, and environmental concepts. Understanding how the food system works can help us discover ways to address complex challenges. Studying the food system connects several academic subjects, The knowledge, skills and attitudes developed can help prepare students for a variety of careers. Finally, working with the food system empowers students to make healthier choices for themselves, their families and their communities.