Associate Professor Jamie Pittock ‘Can the world feed 10 billion people sustainably?’

As the world’s population heads towards 10 billion people, is it possible to eradicate hunger and sustain a healthy environment as our governments have proposed in the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030?  Is it possible to decouple production of nutritious foods from consumption of natural resources like land and water in a changing climate?  This talk will draw on research on making irrigation more sustainable in Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) and on the trade-offs among hydropower and food security in the lower Mekong River region to illustrate key options for greater food security.  There are key choices as to whether better technology or institutions are most required, whether dryland or irrigated agriculture should be favoured, and whether agricultural intensification is sustainable.

Biography

Jamie Pittock is Associate Professor in the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the ANU.  He is also Director of International Programs for the UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance at the ANU.  Dr Pittock worked for non-government environmental organisations in Australia and internationally from 1989-2007, including as Director of World Wildlife Fund’s Global Freshwater Programme from 2001-2007.  His research focuses on better governance of the interlinked issues of water management, energy and food supply, responding to climate change and conserving biological diversity.  He directs research programs on irrigation and water management in Africa, and on hydropower, food and water in the Mekong region.  He is deputy chair of the board of Water Stewardship Australia.