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Ending Hunger: The quest to feed the world without destroying it
‘A provocative vision.’ Sunday Times In 2017, the number of people going hungry in the world increased, for the first time in a decade. Pesticide-resistant bugs lay waste to crops across the globe, from bananas to potatoes. Food production releases billions of tons of carbon into the world, and it’s only getting worse. The writing is on the our food system must change. But no one can agree on how. With his trademark counterintuition, Anthony Warner reveals that we have the ability to make a world where no one starves. And one where we don’t feel guilty about tucking in.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2021
41 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 22, 2021
Ta lektura zostanie ze mną na długo. Na początku bałam się, że będzie to coś w stylu coachingowego poradnika, ale okazało się, że jest to bardzo naukowa książka. Autor wyjaśnia nam zasady funkcjonowania przemysłu żywieniowego od podstaw ekonomii, po chemiczny skład gleby. Co dla mnie szczególnie ważne, dowiedziałam się na jakie sztuczki marketingowe odnośnie „ekologicznego” jedzenia nie powinnam dać się nabierać. Myśle, że tę książkę powinien przeczytać każdy komu zależy ja losach naszej planety i na tym żebyśmy w 2050 roku nadal mieli co jeść.
August 27, 2021
Very interesting chapters, you could tell the author did thorough research of each topic. I didn’t agree with some of his views relating to meat but kept an open mind.
July 10, 2024
I feel like this book is too intellectual for me to leave a silly lil review, but boy is it worth the read. Unbelievably well researched, engaging and entertaining writing and a brilliant overview of the current state of our food production system, the environment and their complex relationship with each other and us.
December 24, 2022
Jedna z najlepszych książek popularnonaukowych dotyczących problemów ze środowiskiem, jakie przeczytałam. (na tyle dobra że mogę się odnosić do niektórych wypowiedzi w niej zawartych do licencjatu wink wink) Chociaż nie zgadzam się w stu procentach z niektórymi opiniami autora, to nie można ukryć tutaj potężnej ilości researchu i naprawdę stonowanego podejścia to kwestii kontrowersyjnych. Napisana w sposób przystępny, a zarazem zawierająca naprawdę sporo naukowych informacji (chociaż nigdy nie było odczucia, że takich było za dużo). Polecam ją chyba każdemu, bez względu na to czy światowy kryzys związany z głodem to coś nad czym często się zastanawia, czy nie.
((W pierwszej połowie dużo informacji o glebach!! Bardzo podobało mi się społeczne podejście do gleboznawstwa, bardzo interdyscyplinarne i wychodzące poza poziom nauki na studiach, nie spodziewałam się, że aż tak to poszerzy moje spojrzenie na te tematy))
((W pierwszej połowie dużo informacji o glebach!! Bardzo podobało mi się społeczne podejście do gleboznawstwa, bardzo interdyscyplinarne i wychodzące poza poziom nauki na studiach, nie spodziewałam się, że aż tak to poszerzy moje spojrzenie na te tematy))
July 12, 2023
pozycja obowiązkowa
July 21, 2025
Absolutely excellent. Really thorough on all the facets that create food insecurity and how they might be overcome. Written in a voice that acknowledges the tropes of the "How To Live Sustainably" genre, picks the bits that make sense and posits its own conclusions based on the solid evidence presented. A genuinely, thoroughly interesting read.
January 30, 2024
3,5 trochę mi sie dłużyła, ale informacji bardzo dużo (których i tak nie zapamiętam )
May 5, 2024
Niezła, sensowna.
Czytałam głównie pod chęć zerżnięcia z tego na pracę na zaliczenie.. więc czytałam, czytałam, czytałam a liter, przecinków, kropek i stron jakby przybywało. Fajnie że autor wyjaśnia co musi, szkoda że rozdziały nie mają podkategorii w bardziej sensownych tytułach.. ale łopatologicznie dla prostych ludzi i z sercem.
Nie do przeczytania w jeden wieczór.
A głównie o ziemi, rolnictwie i diecie.
Czytałam głównie pod chęć zerżnięcia z tego na pracę na zaliczenie.. więc czytałam, czytałam, czytałam a liter, przecinków, kropek i stron jakby przybywało. Fajnie że autor wyjaśnia co musi, szkoda że rozdziały nie mają podkategorii w bardziej sensownych tytułach.. ale łopatologicznie dla prostych ludzi i z sercem.
Nie do przeczytania w jeden wieczór.
A głównie o ziemi, rolnictwie i diecie.
August 14, 2021
Few days back The IPCC had come out with a grim picture of what lies ahead. All of that has to do with the greenhouse emission.
Most of the people think about hydrocarbon emission that is there but the very basic activity of farming produces about 30 percent of all the emission that we categorize as the anthropogenic emission.
So feeding the burgeoning human population of 7+ billion is not an easy feat and ever since we invented the method to fix nitrogen from the air using Haber and Bosch Method, this has become easier than ever.
In this book you will learn about :
1)How green revolution made it possible to feed the entire world. All the credit goes to Haber and Norman Borlaug.
2)The problem of overpopulation and how it puts pressure on the land. As there are more people to feed, there is a need to clear more tropical rain forest in the Amazon, Congo and in Indonesia. Also, how is the topic of population complete without Eugenics?
3)The problem with methane belching livestock. Solution? Eat less meat and dairy.
4)The importance of restoring soil, along with some radical suggestions of recycling human waste back into the soil and restore the carbon. Just remember that soil is one of the best reservoir of storing atmospheric carbon. So if anyone wants to reduce the carbon dioxide, just work on the soil and practice regenerative agriculture.
5)All about the GMOs and how they are essential in combating the hunger, reducing use of pesticides and herbicides and thus reducing eutrophication, chemical runoff and saving our planet and the marine life from suffocating.
Never ever have I been so intrigued by the GMOs and the chapter on it was truly a paradigm shift.
6)And lastly, something that I was not expecting. Could organic farming save our planet? The answer is a simple No!!!!
If you ask why?
Well, think about it objectively. In organic farming the real problem is with low yield vis a vis the intensive farming per hectare. And considering the explosion of population, that would lead to acquiring more land for agriculture. And when a forest land is destroyed, there is a habitat destruction and all those trees that are cut releases carbon in atmosphere and takes away valuable carbon absorbing plants. This was an Aha Moment for me. I have never seen it from that lenses.
I would love to read some book that contradicts on this author's point.
Highly recommend it to anyone who cares about the future of our planet.
Well done Anthony Warner 👏
4.5 🌟
Most of the people think about hydrocarbon emission that is there but the very basic activity of farming produces about 30 percent of all the emission that we categorize as the anthropogenic emission.
So feeding the burgeoning human population of 7+ billion is not an easy feat and ever since we invented the method to fix nitrogen from the air using Haber and Bosch Method, this has become easier than ever.
In this book you will learn about :
1)How green revolution made it possible to feed the entire world. All the credit goes to Haber and Norman Borlaug.
2)The problem of overpopulation and how it puts pressure on the land. As there are more people to feed, there is a need to clear more tropical rain forest in the Amazon, Congo and in Indonesia. Also, how is the topic of population complete without Eugenics?
3)The problem with methane belching livestock. Solution? Eat less meat and dairy.
4)The importance of restoring soil, along with some radical suggestions of recycling human waste back into the soil and restore the carbon. Just remember that soil is one of the best reservoir of storing atmospheric carbon. So if anyone wants to reduce the carbon dioxide, just work on the soil and practice regenerative agriculture.
5)All about the GMOs and how they are essential in combating the hunger, reducing use of pesticides and herbicides and thus reducing eutrophication, chemical runoff and saving our planet and the marine life from suffocating.
Never ever have I been so intrigued by the GMOs and the chapter on it was truly a paradigm shift.
6)And lastly, something that I was not expecting. Could organic farming save our planet? The answer is a simple No!!!!
If you ask why?
Well, think about it objectively. In organic farming the real problem is with low yield vis a vis the intensive farming per hectare. And considering the explosion of population, that would lead to acquiring more land for agriculture. And when a forest land is destroyed, there is a habitat destruction and all those trees that are cut releases carbon in atmosphere and takes away valuable carbon absorbing plants. This was an Aha Moment for me. I have never seen it from that lenses.
I would love to read some book that contradicts on this author's point.
Highly recommend it to anyone who cares about the future of our planet.
Well done Anthony Warner 👏
4.5 🌟
January 4, 2022
Kontrowersyjnie bez radykalizmu
Chociaż w krajach rozwiniętych głód dla zdecydowanej większości jest pojęciem abstrakcyjnym, tak naprawdę jest to zjawisko, które może stać się codziennością ludzkości i to wcale w nie tak odległej przyszłości. Ale bez czarnowidztwa – ludzie to mimo wszystko stworzenia, które w stanie zagrożenia są w stanie się zmobilizować, a przynajmniej tak twierdzi autor książki "Jak nakarmić świat nie niszcząc go przy okazji".
Problem głodu i degradacja naszej planety są ze sobą ściśle powiązane, a w walce z nimi nie ma prostych rozwiązań. Każdy pojedynczy aspekt wyżywienia mieszkańców Ziemi jest złożony, a Anthony Warner stara się, by jak najbardziej przybliżyć tę problematykę swoim czytelnikom. Przy okazji wsadza kij w mrowisko i rozprawia się z wieloma mitami, tanimi sloganami na temat naszych wyborów żywieniowych i pozornej walki z degradacją środowiska.
Książka o tematyce głodu w kontekście zrównoważonej produkcji żywności mogła być pełna skrajności (w tej formie na pewno nie przypadnie do gustu wielu radykałom) i niedopowiedzeń. Wydaje się, że Warner podszedł do tematu rzetelnie, starając się we wszystkich przypadkach pokazać dobre i złe strony przedstawianych rozwiązań. To nie jest dolanie oliwy do ognia w konflikcie mięsożerców z weganami, ponieważ autor przyłożył się, by przedstawić wszystkie punkty widzenia i wytłumaczyć, co stoi za naszymi wyborami żywieniowymi.
"Jak nakarmić świat nie niszcząc go przy okazji" jest książką, która zawiera ogrom informacji podanych w bardzo przystępnej formie. Prawdę mówiąc, nie mogłam oderwać się od lektury, a nie zdarza mi się to zbyt często w przypadku literatury popularnonaukowej. Autor ściąga z naszych barków nieco odpowiedzialności i poczucia winy, dość jasno pokazując, na co jako jednostki mamy wpływ, a na co nie. Nie wszystko możemy załatwić w pojedynkę, ale razem możemy wszystko, choć otwartość na niektóre – być może niesłusznie kontrowersyjne – rozwiązania będzie niezbędna.
Chociaż w krajach rozwiniętych głód dla zdecydowanej większości jest pojęciem abstrakcyjnym, tak naprawdę jest to zjawisko, które może stać się codziennością ludzkości i to wcale w nie tak odległej przyszłości. Ale bez czarnowidztwa – ludzie to mimo wszystko stworzenia, które w stanie zagrożenia są w stanie się zmobilizować, a przynajmniej tak twierdzi autor książki "Jak nakarmić świat nie niszcząc go przy okazji".
Problem głodu i degradacja naszej planety są ze sobą ściśle powiązane, a w walce z nimi nie ma prostych rozwiązań. Każdy pojedynczy aspekt wyżywienia mieszkańców Ziemi jest złożony, a Anthony Warner stara się, by jak najbardziej przybliżyć tę problematykę swoim czytelnikom. Przy okazji wsadza kij w mrowisko i rozprawia się z wieloma mitami, tanimi sloganami na temat naszych wyborów żywieniowych i pozornej walki z degradacją środowiska.
Książka o tematyce głodu w kontekście zrównoważonej produkcji żywności mogła być pełna skrajności (w tej formie na pewno nie przypadnie do gustu wielu radykałom) i niedopowiedzeń. Wydaje się, że Warner podszedł do tematu rzetelnie, starając się we wszystkich przypadkach pokazać dobre i złe strony przedstawianych rozwiązań. To nie jest dolanie oliwy do ognia w konflikcie mięsożerców z weganami, ponieważ autor przyłożył się, by przedstawić wszystkie punkty widzenia i wytłumaczyć, co stoi za naszymi wyborami żywieniowymi.
"Jak nakarmić świat nie niszcząc go przy okazji" jest książką, która zawiera ogrom informacji podanych w bardzo przystępnej formie. Prawdę mówiąc, nie mogłam oderwać się od lektury, a nie zdarza mi się to zbyt często w przypadku literatury popularnonaukowej. Autor ściąga z naszych barków nieco odpowiedzialności i poczucia winy, dość jasno pokazując, na co jako jednostki mamy wpływ, a na co nie. Nie wszystko możemy załatwić w pojedynkę, ale razem możemy wszystko, choć otwartość na niektóre – być może niesłusznie kontrowersyjne – rozwiązania będzie niezbędna.
May 13, 2023
Really more like 4.5 stars.
I really liked this; I’m surprised it was so difficult to find---no library in Maryland has it.
The author is really entertaining. He’s British, with a BS in biochemistry; he spent some time as a chef, and now he’s a consultant to various large food organizations, trying to find tasty, cheap, etc ways of presenting food. Or maybe he’s really just an author/blogger. Anyway.
It’s sort of a “we’re doomed” book, but in a different direction. (And he’s quite self-aware that it’s that kind of book, and how he communicates that is interesting.) Climate change is part of what he’s addressing, but it’s really more about the food system specifically. So he spends a lot of time on the inefficiency of meat production; he is enough of a realist to not believe that humans giving up meat as food will ever happen. (Indeed, he even points out some ways that that’s not really necessarily optimal---there’s lots of land that really is more useful for grazing than growing crops.)
He also goes into directions I don’t think of that much. Like the fact that much of the carbon problem from agriculture isn’t so much from cow burps, but rather from the plowing up of forests (etc) that retain a lot more carbon than farmed land does. Or the loss and degredation of soil itself---fertilizers are largely optimized to get nitrogen to plants, not carbon, and so the bacteria (and other creepy crawlies) in the dirt are kinda getting washed away. And the erosion is happening a lot faster than new soil makes itself.
Just his chapter-long rant about the people's resistance to eating GMO-based food is worth the price of admission.
I really liked this; I’m surprised it was so difficult to find---no library in Maryland has it.
The author is really entertaining. He’s British, with a BS in biochemistry; he spent some time as a chef, and now he’s a consultant to various large food organizations, trying to find tasty, cheap, etc ways of presenting food. Or maybe he’s really just an author/blogger. Anyway.
It’s sort of a “we’re doomed” book, but in a different direction. (And he’s quite self-aware that it’s that kind of book, and how he communicates that is interesting.) Climate change is part of what he’s addressing, but it’s really more about the food system specifically. So he spends a lot of time on the inefficiency of meat production; he is enough of a realist to not believe that humans giving up meat as food will ever happen. (Indeed, he even points out some ways that that’s not really necessarily optimal---there’s lots of land that really is more useful for grazing than growing crops.)
He also goes into directions I don’t think of that much. Like the fact that much of the carbon problem from agriculture isn’t so much from cow burps, but rather from the plowing up of forests (etc) that retain a lot more carbon than farmed land does. Or the loss and degredation of soil itself---fertilizers are largely optimized to get nitrogen to plants, not carbon, and so the bacteria (and other creepy crawlies) in the dirt are kinda getting washed away. And the erosion is happening a lot faster than new soil makes itself.
Just his chapter-long rant about the people's resistance to eating GMO-based food is worth the price of admission.
February 4, 2024
The book dives deep into the complexities of our global food systems and the daunting challenge of food security. The book excels in detailing the myriad problems plaguing our approach to feeding the world, dedicating the lion's share of its pages to a thorough examination of these issues.
The author brings to light historical instances of famine in Russia and China, illustrating the catastrophic consequences of mismanagement and a failure to respect nature's limits. These historical analyses are both enlightening and sobering, serving as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in managing our food systems.
However, the book's title sets an expectation for a balanced discussion on problems and solutions, an expectation that is only partially met. Readers looking for an in-depth exploration of regenerative agriculture or a comprehensive guide to actionable steps towards sustainability might find the coverage of such solutions lacking. The focus is overwhelmingly on diagnosing problems rather than prescribing solutions, leaving a gap for those in search of hope and a clear path forward.
In summary, while it is a compelling and informative read on the challenges facing global food security, it falls short of providing the hopeful, solution-oriented perspective that some readers might anticipate based on its title. It's a vital read for those seeking to understand the scope of the issue, but it may leave you yearning for more guidance on how to be part of the solution.
The author brings to light historical instances of famine in Russia and China, illustrating the catastrophic consequences of mismanagement and a failure to respect nature's limits. These historical analyses are both enlightening and sobering, serving as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in managing our food systems.
However, the book's title sets an expectation for a balanced discussion on problems and solutions, an expectation that is only partially met. Readers looking for an in-depth exploration of regenerative agriculture or a comprehensive guide to actionable steps towards sustainability might find the coverage of such solutions lacking. The focus is overwhelmingly on diagnosing problems rather than prescribing solutions, leaving a gap for those in search of hope and a clear path forward.
In summary, while it is a compelling and informative read on the challenges facing global food security, it falls short of providing the hopeful, solution-oriented perspective that some readers might anticipate based on its title. It's a vital read for those seeking to understand the scope of the issue, but it may leave you yearning for more guidance on how to be part of the solution.
February 26, 2025
The first fifty or so pages, chapters 1 to 3, were repetition of ideas I've read in other books. Chapter 4 onwards, there was a deluge of novel ideas and topics I have never encountered before. It was like a new world opened up. That's the magic of books, isn't it?
GMOs, the importance of soil sustainability in agriculture, vegan meats (say what?), technological revolutions in agriculture, lab-grown meat substitutes, land use change, product life-cycle assessments, insights into carbon capture, multi-faceted complex issues faced by farmers in the developing and developed worlds, agro-policy, etc. these were things either I had the littlest idea of or no frickin' clue. I thank my stars for letting me pick this up on a random bookshop stroll.
The author also has a markedly different approach when talking about all things climate change, which was refreshing to read. The book has an undertone of doom, which is understandable and arguably necessary, considering the extent to which we have messed up the planet, though it's fairly optimistic on the whole and ends with a resounding call to action. Topical and extremely important in the current climate, literally and figuratively.
GMOs, the importance of soil sustainability in agriculture, vegan meats (say what?), technological revolutions in agriculture, lab-grown meat substitutes, land use change, product life-cycle assessments, insights into carbon capture, multi-faceted complex issues faced by farmers in the developing and developed worlds, agro-policy, etc. these were things either I had the littlest idea of or no frickin' clue. I thank my stars for letting me pick this up on a random bookshop stroll.
The author also has a markedly different approach when talking about all things climate change, which was refreshing to read. The book has an undertone of doom, which is understandable and arguably necessary, considering the extent to which we have messed up the planet, though it's fairly optimistic on the whole and ends with a resounding call to action. Topical and extremely important in the current climate, literally and figuratively.
April 10, 2022
Nie we wszystkich kwestiach poruszonych w tej książce przez Anthonego Warnera się zgadzam. Nie mogę jednak odmówić autorowi rzetelnego podejścia do tematu, a zadanie miał niełatwe. Sprawa zapewnienia coraz większej ludzkości pożywienia, a zarazem próba zahamowania degradacji środowiska właściwie się ze sobą kłócą. Autor "Jak nakarmić świat..." każdy argument, pomysł, inicjatywę, którą opisuje w książce przedstawia w sposób, wydaje się, bardzo obiektywny (czasami nazwał bym to jednak symetryzmem), nie stawiając przy tym kategorycznych tez, a raczej analizujący za i przeciw. Książka jest napisana bardzo przystępnym językiem, wiele zagadnień jest wytłumaczonych wręcz łopatologicznie, dzięki czemu może (a właściwie powinien) przeczytać ją każdy, nawet jeśli nie szerokiej wiedzy w temacie.
June 18, 2022
I always enjoy Anthony Warner's books. He's so good at calling out bullshit and offering a more nuanced interpretation of the topic. Ending Hunger is a balanced view on the issues facing us in the near future with regards to food security and climate change. After reading the chapter on GMOs I feel frustrated with the short-sightedness of my country's Green party and their anti-GMO stance. I appreciate that he mentioned some potential solutions, since the outlook is so bleak. I also really like that he doesn't encourage the reader to strive to solve the issue themselves through individual purchasing or diet decisions, but instead to advocate for systemic change from governments and industry.
May 19, 2021
A fantastic book about the dual challenges of eating better for health and eating better for the planet. Anthony Warner writes well and loves puns. Each chapter is a different theme, and Anthony sets out data and contexts to present detailed background for his opinions.
There is no single solution of more food for more people (with less environmental damage), but starter for people in Europe & USA is less animal protein (meat and dairy).
There is no single solution of more food for more people (with less environmental damage), but starter for people in Europe & USA is less animal protein (meat and dairy).
April 17, 2022
It shows the complexity of the problems and solutions of our current food production system, while being entertaining and hopeful. It doesn't try to give a supreme definitive answer, but rather the direction of where things are going.
February 2, 2023
Autor książki porusza bardzo ważny temat jakim jest głód ale również wnikliwie przygląda się zmianom klimatu. Duża dawka wiedzy w jednym miejscu. O rolnictwie, gazach krów, GMO, ciemnej stronie weganizmu, eko ściemie…
Dla mnie chwilami trochę męcząca.
Dla mnie chwilami trochę męcząca.
March 3, 2023
I will take away a number of things from this book, but I feel that it's important to address various issues it has.
While the author seems to have done a lot of research, there are factual inaccuracies, for example the line 'High birth and low mortality rates mean the world population is growing exponentially' (p.5). Firstly, it's not growing exponentially and secondly, birth rates are comparatively low. Having a thick references section doesn't mean that everything written is accurate.
Also, I feel that what readers will take away from this book is (amongst other things) organic food is connected to Nazism and actively harmful for the environment. Organic vs conventional is a complex issue and Warner has discussed this in a false dichotomy of either we keep the rate of organic farming the same or we have 100% organic agriculture (and he prefers the former) without perhaps realising that if everyone read his book and was influenced by it, there would likely be no demand for organic produce at all.
Another criticism I have is about his praise of convenience food and caterers. Firstly, he doesn't acknowledge the lack of nutrition and the salt and saturates content of most convenience foods. As for caterers, in my experience of my workplace's canteen, while the waste is turned into biomass, it is not an efficient system by any means - the amount of waste is appalling, partly because they have to offer options and (over-)estimate the number of diners.
Ultimately I do agree with Warner on a number of points, but the author's message is muddled and his bias comes through rather strongly for one with scientific training. It's rather telling that the only praise they could garner for this book was "a provocative vision" (quoted on the cover).
While the author seems to have done a lot of research, there are factual inaccuracies, for example the line 'High birth and low mortality rates mean the world population is growing exponentially' (p.5). Firstly, it's not growing exponentially and secondly, birth rates are comparatively low. Having a thick references section doesn't mean that everything written is accurate.
Also, I feel that what readers will take away from this book is (amongst other things) organic food is connected to Nazism and actively harmful for the environment. Organic vs conventional is a complex issue and Warner has discussed this in a false dichotomy of either we keep the rate of organic farming the same or we have 100% organic agriculture (and he prefers the former) without perhaps realising that if everyone read his book and was influenced by it, there would likely be no demand for organic produce at all.
Another criticism I have is about his praise of convenience food and caterers. Firstly, he doesn't acknowledge the lack of nutrition and the salt and saturates content of most convenience foods. As for caterers, in my experience of my workplace's canteen, while the waste is turned into biomass, it is not an efficient system by any means - the amount of waste is appalling, partly because they have to offer options and (over-)estimate the number of diners.
Ultimately I do agree with Warner on a number of points, but the author's message is muddled and his bias comes through rather strongly for one with scientific training. It's rather telling that the only praise they could garner for this book was "a provocative vision" (quoted on the cover).
May 8, 2021
A Wonderful Book
A truly wonderful read - full of startling, confronting information - yet, full of hope. I am hoping it will force me to change my own eating habits.
A truly wonderful read - full of startling, confronting information - yet, full of hope. I am hoping it will force me to change my own eating habits.
August 19, 2024
Great! Informative, interesting, and manages to be direct about the state of things while still being hopeful.
July 16, 2025
This book want me to eat more lentils and vege stuff.
August 26, 2025
Well-researched and enjoyably written, however, a lot of issues barely scratched the surface. However, a must-read for anyone interested in the genres of 'sustainable food/lifestyle changes'.
June 13, 2022
Muy interesante libro sobre agricultura, alimentación, recursos y sostenibilidad.
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