Topic Summaries

Sustainability strategies for the future of food supply

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Food supply and water supply > Sustainability strategies for the future of food supply
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Tropical storm hazards

Responding to tropical storms

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Water supply

Energy supply

  • Organic farming: avoids synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and focuses on natural methods (e.g. crop rotation, composting). This protects biodiversity, reduces pollution, improves soil health.
  • Permaculture: designing agricultural systems that mimic natural ecosystems. This focuses on sustainability, diversity, and minimal waste, while avoiding farming chemicals.
  • Urban and seasonal farming initiatives: growing food in urban areas (e.g. rooftop gardens, vertical farming). Eating foods that are in season locally can also reduce imports and food miles to limit carbon emissions. This reduces food miles (distance food travels during importation or exportation), improves access to fresh produce, and uses urban spaces efficiently.
  • Fish and meat from sustainable sources: sustainable fishing practices (e.g. quotas, fish farming) to prevent extinction of endangered fish species. For example, free-range and organic meat production is healthier and less harmful to animals and the environment.
  • Reduced waste and losses: strategies include better storage, improved transport, and consumer education to reduce food waste. Around a third of the world’s food is wasted, so this is a key target area for sustainable improvement. This means less waste and a more efficient food supply could enable redistribution of money and resources to address hunger, food poverty, and malnutrition.

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