When it comes to how people think about food security, the University of Florida is planning 40 years into the future.
With the world’s population expected to grow beyond 9 billion people by 2050, the global demand for food will nearly double. Currently, some 842 million people are undernourished, or about one in eight people, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Agriculture will continue to compete for resources and will need to adapt to new technologies in order to grow more from less land. In order to address Challenge 2050, FAO says investments of $83 billion per year need to be made in agriculture in developing countries.
A new UF class, called Humanity’s 2050 Challenge: Our Uncertain Future, explores current issues in human sustainability and well-being in areas related to food, environment, healthy economic and social systems.
Led by College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean Teri Balser and faculty members from the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, the 35 students are challenged to find solutions that foster collaboration among industry, academia and the general public. The class will be offered in the upcoming spring semester and annually every fall.
The goal of the course is for students to leave with an appreciation of the range of academic disciplines in addressing complex problems, a global perspective on food, health and the environment, and above all, ideas and motivation for how they can personally contribute to the myriad challenges.
In addition, UF recently announced a certificate program in food security leadership to encompass the Challenge 2050 classes. Next in the series are classes called Tools for Changing the World, which will be offered next semester, and Experiencing the Challenge. Students in the certificate program, which is open to all students, would also be required to complete a capstone project.
