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Hot, Hungry Planet: The Fight to Stop a Global Food Crisis in the Face of Climate Change
Earth will have more than 9.6 billion people by 2050 according to U.N. predictions. With resources already scarce, how will we feed them all? Journalist Lisa Palmer has traveled the world for years documenting the cutting-edge innovations of people and organizations on the front lines of fighting the food gap. Here, she shares the story of the epic journey to solve the imperfect relationship between two of our planet’s greatest climate change and global hunger.
Hot, Hungry Planet focuses on three key concepts that support food security and resilience in a changing social, educational, and agricultural advances; land use and technical actions by farmers; and policy nudges that have the greatest potential for reducing adverse environmental impacts of agriculture while providing more food. Palmer breaks down this difficult subject though seven concise and easily-digestible case studies over the globe and presents the stories of individuals in six key regions―India, sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, and Indonesia―painting a hopeful picture of both the world we want to live in and the great leaps it will take to get there.
Hot, Hungry Planet focuses on three key concepts that support food security and resilience in a changing social, educational, and agricultural advances; land use and technical actions by farmers; and policy nudges that have the greatest potential for reducing adverse environmental impacts of agriculture while providing more food. Palmer breaks down this difficult subject though seven concise and easily-digestible case studies over the globe and presents the stories of individuals in six key regions―India, sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, and Indonesia―painting a hopeful picture of both the world we want to live in and the great leaps it will take to get there.
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2017
8 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2019
Yada Yada Yada The same old - same old.......
August 13, 2017
I learned a lot from this book and the stories that showed important agricultural practices were relevant, but the prose was a little dry. You may expect this from an author that's a researcher and journalist, but the beginnings of several chapters sort of tricked me into believing that the entire book would have the same kind of description alongside the facts.
Either way, it was still quite the compelling read that addresses many of the affects of climate change, lack of education in reproductive health for women in developing countries, and public policy that promotes these practices. There is a clear plan within these pages that, if we all follow, could actually help us feed a hot, hungry planet in fifty years.
Either way, it was still quite the compelling read that addresses many of the affects of climate change, lack of education in reproductive health for women in developing countries, and public policy that promotes these practices. There is a clear plan within these pages that, if we all follow, could actually help us feed a hot, hungry planet in fifty years.
April 3, 2019
I've heard from many of my readers directly that the book provides a master class in learning about global food security and how climate change will affect global food supply and will be affected by what we eat and how we produce our food. It is being used in college classrooms nation wide and as background reading for anyone interested in food security, global environmental change, what people around the world are doing to make our food supply more sustainable. Thank you for reading HOT, HUNGRY PLANET!
The advance praise for Hot, Hungry Planet is clear:
"This lively, concise book is packed with practical and often surprising ideas for meeting the profound challenges of global food scarcity. Lisa Palmer is a clear-eyed realist, but her fascinating tour of our Hot Hungry Planet will leave you more optimistic than you may have thought possible."—Dan Fagin, Pulitzer-prize-winning author of Toms River:A Story of Science and Salvation
“A penetrating and sensitive analysis of the urgent need for a sustainable global food system despite widespread socioeconomic inequality, swelling population, and ominous climate change.”— Richard C. J. Somerville, Ph.D., climate scientist
“The global food crisis is a critical issue. Producing more food is key but insufficient by itself. Palmer speaks in no uncertain terms about the peril we find ourselves in. But she also manages to find the bright spots—areas of hope that those of us in the environmental, business, and policy communities can address to cope with and even reverse some of the most alarming trends.”—Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Food & Markets, World Wildlife Fund
"The time to talk about diet for the health of people without addressing the health of the planet is past. With inspiring examples of sustainable agriculture, thoughtful attention to matters as disparate as biodiversity and family planning, and precautionary tales from around the globe, Hot, Hungry Planet gives us a clear-eyed view of the perils we face, and the promise of overcoming them by truly understanding them."—David Katz, M.D. President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and author of Disease-Proof, The Way to Eat, and The Flavor Point Diet
"A deep dive into the realities of some of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through moving personal stories Palmer shows how increased food security and addressing climate change are mutually reinforcing. We can and we must do both at the same time."—Christiana Figueres, diplomat and executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 2010-2016
“Hot, Hungry Planet is a sober analysis of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in feeding a changing and growing world. Palmer takes her readers on a journey from Vermont through Colombia, India, and the shores of Lake Victoria, examining innovations for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture all along the way. Her work trumpets the benefits of smaller, more varied systems of food production that increase yields without the ecological harms of monoculture. Above all else, Palmer pens a passionate plea for the inclusion of women in all levels of food production through education and smart investments that forge a path toward a planet that can feed itself in a hotter, more crowded future.”—Shenggen Fan, director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute
"The reporting delivers welcome hope that humans may avoid famine in the face of climate change."—Library Journal
"Palmer illuminates the cruel choices food crises force upon women, ... explains the dire consequences of a growing global middle class, ... [and] sees hope in new and diverse economic opportunities based on restoring and nurturing the environment."—Booklist
The advance praise for Hot, Hungry Planet is clear:
"This lively, concise book is packed with practical and often surprising ideas for meeting the profound challenges of global food scarcity. Lisa Palmer is a clear-eyed realist, but her fascinating tour of our Hot Hungry Planet will leave you more optimistic than you may have thought possible."—Dan Fagin, Pulitzer-prize-winning author of Toms River:A Story of Science and Salvation
“A penetrating and sensitive analysis of the urgent need for a sustainable global food system despite widespread socioeconomic inequality, swelling population, and ominous climate change.”— Richard C. J. Somerville, Ph.D., climate scientist
“The global food crisis is a critical issue. Producing more food is key but insufficient by itself. Palmer speaks in no uncertain terms about the peril we find ourselves in. But she also manages to find the bright spots—areas of hope that those of us in the environmental, business, and policy communities can address to cope with and even reverse some of the most alarming trends.”—Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Food & Markets, World Wildlife Fund
"The time to talk about diet for the health of people without addressing the health of the planet is past. With inspiring examples of sustainable agriculture, thoughtful attention to matters as disparate as biodiversity and family planning, and precautionary tales from around the globe, Hot, Hungry Planet gives us a clear-eyed view of the perils we face, and the promise of overcoming them by truly understanding them."—David Katz, M.D. President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and author of Disease-Proof, The Way to Eat, and The Flavor Point Diet
"A deep dive into the realities of some of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through moving personal stories Palmer shows how increased food security and addressing climate change are mutually reinforcing. We can and we must do both at the same time."—Christiana Figueres, diplomat and executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 2010-2016
“Hot, Hungry Planet is a sober analysis of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in feeding a changing and growing world. Palmer takes her readers on a journey from Vermont through Colombia, India, and the shores of Lake Victoria, examining innovations for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture all along the way. Her work trumpets the benefits of smaller, more varied systems of food production that increase yields without the ecological harms of monoculture. Above all else, Palmer pens a passionate plea for the inclusion of women in all levels of food production through education and smart investments that forge a path toward a planet that can feed itself in a hotter, more crowded future.”—Shenggen Fan, director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute
"The reporting delivers welcome hope that humans may avoid famine in the face of climate change."—Library Journal
"Palmer illuminates the cruel choices food crises force upon women, ... explains the dire consequences of a growing global middle class, ... [and] sees hope in new and diverse economic opportunities based on restoring and nurturing the environment."—Booklist
August 21, 2019
Very accessible writing, thanks to the author's background in journalism. It has a succinct overview with a strong focus: food security. She covered the broad issues with examples drawn from several countries, including Asia. There are even surprising societal impacts of food insecurity that I had never imagined, such as "sex for fish" or jaboya (look it up).
Ideally, I'd wish for more solutions instead of observations but then again, if there are solutions to the food crisis, there wouldn't be a crisis, so...
Ideally, I'd wish for more solutions instead of observations but then again, if there are solutions to the food crisis, there wouldn't be a crisis, so...
August 27, 2019
I liked the book, but it felt a little rushed for me. I would have liked more coverage on the topics Palmer covered. The book felt like a crash course with pat answers, which could very well be viable solutions but seemed too generalized for application.
The two areas that I enjoyed coverage of had to do with sustainable cattle ranching and fish farming. I liked that Palmer included these topics, which took into consideration the fact that regardless of where you are on the subject of climate change, there will probably be a lot more people in the upcoming decades and not all of them will be vegetarian.
Overall, not a bad book, as everyone eats no matter who you are. Morality would suggest that everyone deserves a decent meal, no matter how hot or cold the planet or how many other human beings are walking around the planet. 'Hot, Hungry Planet' at the very least is a book that addresses this all-important issue.
The two areas that I enjoyed coverage of had to do with sustainable cattle ranching and fish farming. I liked that Palmer included these topics, which took into consideration the fact that regardless of where you are on the subject of climate change, there will probably be a lot more people in the upcoming decades and not all of them will be vegetarian.
Overall, not a bad book, as everyone eats no matter who you are. Morality would suggest that everyone deserves a decent meal, no matter how hot or cold the planet or how many other human beings are walking around the planet. 'Hot, Hungry Planet' at the very least is a book that addresses this all-important issue.
November 11, 2019
XXXXX
Addressing the fight to feed humankind under the threat of climate change
XXXXX
“In [this book], you will meet the skilled guides to a sustainable future. As their experiences and stories make clear, leveraging the changes in science and technology must be accompanied by improvements in education and women’s rights, data and insights, policy shifts, and wise choices to meet the food needs of our planet.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from this interesting book by Lisa Palmer. She is a journalist and senior research fellow at the National socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (in Maryland). Palmer has documented the scientific, environmental, and social challenges of a changing global environment for almost twenty years.
This book is based on two facts: the world is on the cusp of a global food crisis and that climate change is real.
It addresses what needs to happen to reconcile two extreme global threats: climate change and global hunger. The author makes it clear that these two extremes are definitely not mutually exclusive.
This book focuses on key concepts that support food security and resilience in a world where climate change predominates.
This, as you can imagine, is a complex topic. Palmer effectively reduces this complexity by using case studies. That is, by using true stories of people in key regions around the world: India, sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, and Indonesia.
Throughout you will learn about such things as soil types, “Sylvian” pastures, biodiversity, the environment and environmental sustainability, deforestation, droughts, population growth, health (not just of people but also of the planet), “climate-smart” agriculture, aquaculture, and “hot” fish.
Finally, in roughly this book’s center are over fifteen black & white glossy pictures. My favourite has the following caption:
“The author…speaking with [a farmer] at his farm in India. Water, energy, and food security are inextricably linked. Here, in [his] village…[the farmer] uses solar panels to pump water to irrigate his banana, rice, and wheat crops.”
In conclusion, this tome holds hope in stopping a global food crisis in the face of a changing climate!!
(2017; acknowledgments; 3 sections or 10 chapters; main narrative 195 pages; notes; index)
XXXXX
Addressing the fight to feed humankind under the threat of climate change
XXXXX
“In [this book], you will meet the skilled guides to a sustainable future. As their experiences and stories make clear, leveraging the changes in science and technology must be accompanied by improvements in education and women’s rights, data and insights, policy shifts, and wise choices to meet the food needs of our planet.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from this interesting book by Lisa Palmer. She is a journalist and senior research fellow at the National socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (in Maryland). Palmer has documented the scientific, environmental, and social challenges of a changing global environment for almost twenty years.
This book is based on two facts: the world is on the cusp of a global food crisis and that climate change is real.
It addresses what needs to happen to reconcile two extreme global threats: climate change and global hunger. The author makes it clear that these two extremes are definitely not mutually exclusive.
This book focuses on key concepts that support food security and resilience in a world where climate change predominates.
This, as you can imagine, is a complex topic. Palmer effectively reduces this complexity by using case studies. That is, by using true stories of people in key regions around the world: India, sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, and Indonesia.
Throughout you will learn about such things as soil types, “Sylvian” pastures, biodiversity, the environment and environmental sustainability, deforestation, droughts, population growth, health (not just of people but also of the planet), “climate-smart” agriculture, aquaculture, and “hot” fish.
Finally, in roughly this book’s center are over fifteen black & white glossy pictures. My favourite has the following caption:
“The author…speaking with [a farmer] at his farm in India. Water, energy, and food security are inextricably linked. Here, in [his] village…[the farmer] uses solar panels to pump water to irrigate his banana, rice, and wheat crops.”
In conclusion, this tome holds hope in stopping a global food crisis in the face of a changing climate!!
(2017; acknowledgments; 3 sections or 10 chapters; main narrative 195 pages; notes; index)
XXXXX
August 31, 2022
Appreciate the optimism but the overly simplistic take was a letdown. "Sustainable land use in agriculture systems under climate change means that ag practices will need to be implemented at the ecosystem level. This means farmers and governments will need to coordinate their decisions across political boundaries and much larger areas... than is typical. These collaborative decisions will have to take into account much broader goals for ecosystems' health relative to agricultural output. This practice stands in contrast to standard decision making, but increasing numbers of farmers are likely to take it up as climate change continues." Sounds nice and unfortunately not terribly tethered to reality.
June 19, 2017
Very informative book on a subject we all should be more concerned with.
August 20, 2024
Probably too hopeful eh?
March 29, 2018
She brings up many interesting agriculture, education, and sustainability issues from around the world. My Climate Hyperbole Meter was pegged throughout the book, however, due to the constant vague statements that the climate change monster makes every single issue worse. No acknowledgement at all that warmth (longer growing seasons) and more CO2 make ALL plants grow better. Basic science failure.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews