More chapter abstracts to be added (gradually)

 

Chapter 9  Population, Neoliberalism and “Human Carrying Capacity”

Colin D Butler

Abstract

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This chapter reviews the history of human population size and policy over the last century, as an issue relevant for global health and development. It focuses on the role of neoliberalism (the ideology that claims free-market forces will maximise wealth for all) and the Roman Catholic church as central to the recent neglect and avoidance of this topic. This gap is not only evident in the teaching of global public health but of many other scientific disciplines. The chapter also analyses the concept of human carrying capacity, using a “five capitals approach”, i.e. natural, social, human, built and financial resources. Using this conceptual framework, the chapter discusses the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, as a case study. The following chapter (“Sexual and reproductive health and rights: The relevance of family planning) complements this one.

Chapter 14 Double-whammy: how extra carbohydrates from Big Food and rising carbon dioxide levels harm nutrition

Irakli Loladze

This chapter delves into the profound impact on global food nutrition caused by an elemental imbalance between carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and essential minerals. The current yield-driven model of Big Agriculture and the escalating levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), which both lead to a depletion of essential minerals in plants, constitute this double-whammy effect. This disparity is further accentuated by Big Food, which capitalizes on the overabundance of C, H, and O compounds for profitability. The chapter also spotlights "gap minerals" that are vital for human health but not necessarily for plants, and their inconsistent presence in crops contributes to widespread dietary deficiencies. To rectify the growing stoichiometric imbalance in our food supply, the chapter advocates adjusting monetary agricultural incentives to account for mineral density alongside yield.


Chapter 22 Famine, hunger and climate change

Colin D. Butler

For over thirty years researchers have warned that climate change will affect global food security. This chapter, after reviewing evidence, concludes that these concerns are valid, via means such as increased heat, drought, flooding, and other alterations in rainfall patterns and intensity. However, many other factors are, to date (and probably for the near future) far more important than climate change in the causation of current food insecurity and high global food prices; these include the rising cost of energy and an entrenched system of global inequality, sustained by the neoliberalism inherent in the Sustainable Development Goals. In some especially vulnerable areas (e.g. the Horn of Africa and Madagascar) climate change is probably, already, an important co-factor for existing famine. As climate change intensifies, its impact on food security and famine is likely to increase, especially if the price of energy remains high, or rises further, which also seems likely.

Chapter 40 Climate change and global health: Developing a social vaccine to motivate transformation

Colin D. Butler, Andrew Harmer and Devin C. Bowles

Global civilisation is imperilled by the combination of climate change, ancient and emerging rivalries at varying scales, and the existence of weapons of mass destruction and their threatened use. There is excessive hope, approaching a quasi-religious faith, that technologies, many of them either not yet invented, or unaffordable, will rescue us. Workers in public health, on the whole, have badly underestimated the scope and urgency of the emergency that humanity faces, and, thus, the risks to global public health. Such workers, as a generalisation, continue to do so. We apply and expand the “social vaccine” metaphor as an instrument by which to appeal to readers, including within the health community, to help engage with this crisis and to help develop viable solutions.