A   T E A C H E R ' S G U I D E

T O

A Teacher’s Guide to: 10 Billion: What's On Your Plate?

Writer: Erica Richard Research Assistant: Morgane Nkouenjin Thanks to Katii Capern and Stephanie Magnanelli

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This guide is intended to provide a brief social and scientific background on the issues covered in the film, as well as real-world context through examples of news coverage, websites and resources from sources other than the film.  

The film guide also includes links to specific curriculum content, sorted by grade, to help integrate the film into a valuable learning experience for both students and teachers.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

INTRODUCTIONABOUT PLANET IN FOCUSPlanet in Focus is Canada’s leading not-for-profit environmental media arts organization. Now in our 18th year, our mandate is to produce cultural events that showcase engaging and artistic films that question, explore, and tell stories about the world in which we live.

We use film as a catalyst for public awareness, discussion and engagement on a broad range of environmental issues. Our goal is to enlighten, engage and entertain audiences of all backgrounds. We do this through the production of an annual environmental film festival in Toronto, as well as touring programs to schools and communities across Canada, and filmmaking workshops for teachers and youth.

THE FILM: 10 BILLION: WHATS ON YOUR PLATE?

Valentin Thurn, Germany, 2015, Documentary, 52 min

Within the 21st century, the global population will surpass 10

billion, a figure that requires a new way of thinking about global

food production. Author, filmmaker and self-proclaimed “food

fighter” Valentin Thurn (Taste the Waste) set out in search of

solutions to this looming crisis, documenting his discoveries in

10 Billion: What’s on Your Plate?, seeking ecologically and

economically viable innovations.

THE FILMMAKER: VALENTIN THURN

Valentin Thurn is an award winning German filmmaker, writer

and director who made the 2010 documentary Taste the Waste.

He is also the co-founder of the International Federation of

Environmental Journalists.

C U R R I C U L U M

COURSE/ STRAND CURRICULUM LINKS

  SVN3M

  SVN3E

How changing societal needs influence scientific endeavours related to the environment Causes and effects of drought as a major environmental challenge

How scientists use a variety of processes like the development of GMO crops to solve environmental problems

Grassroots initiatives (e.g. community gardens in food deserts) reducing the impact of environmental factors on human health

Short and long-term impacts on the environment of a specific type of waste, such as food waste

Basic components of soil, water, and air Effects of human activity such as agriculture on soil, water, and air quality

B. Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges

B. Human Impact on the Environment

  SBI3U Risks and benefits of human intervention (e.g. modification of crops) to the biodiversity of the ecosystem Economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of artificial selection technology in agriculture

B. Diversity of Living Things

C. Evolution

  SBIC3 Positive and negative impacts of human activities on the natural balance of plants Differences in production between organic and industrial farming

F. Plants in the Natural Environment

  CGD3M The current state of global food systems and the effects of population growth

A. Geographic Inquiry & Skill Development

  CGF3M How human modification of the landscape (farming) affects natural systems

How natural events or human activities in one part of the world can impact other parts of the world

Issues surrounding the sharing of resources by different countries or population groups

Geopolitical trends and predictions concerning the shift away from the existing global food system Potential impacts of climate change on food systems in different parts of the world

C. The Physical Environment: Sustainability & Stewardship

D. Systems: Interaction & Interdependence

E. Impacts of Change

C. Human Health & the Environment

E. Reducing & Managing Waste

GR

AD

E 1

1

The effects of human population growth and personal consumption on our ecological footprint

Energy transfer in the flow of food energy into the production, distribution, and use of food resources

F. Population Dynamics

GR

AD

E 1

2

 SB14U

Relationships between the distribution & availability of food in a region and its quality of life

Ethical issues relating to the control & development of natural  resources and distribution of economic benefits

Effectiveness of local sustainability initiatives such as Incredible Edible UK in building sustainable communities How population growth and related trends affect the natural environment through changing food systems

Challenges relating to food security & safety and ways of responding to these challenges

B. Spatial Organization: Relationships & Disparities

C. Sustainability and Stewardship

E. Social Change and Quality of Life

 CGW4U

Effectiveness of selected greening initiatives like Incredible Edible UK

How populations in different regions have modified their physical environment to improve economic productivity

Impacts of modifications on the economic, social and environmental sustainability of these regions

Impacts of consumerism in developed countries on ecumenes in developing countries

C. Sustainability & Stewardship

D. Systems Interdependence of Ecumenes

 CGU4M

Competing points of view surrounding food production as a natural resource development issue Potential environmental impacts of resource-related activities such as planting GMO crops The relationship between access & use of different food sources and  the changing needs of human populations

The options for meeting future global food requirements

C. Sustainability & Stewardship of Natural Resources

GR

AD

E 1

2

C. Sustainability of Natural Resources

E. Changing Societies

CGR4M

Environmental, economic, social and political implications of the  unequal distribution of food as a natural resource

The sustainability of current extraction, processing and production of goods.

The impact of population growth and rising standards of living on the world’s food system 

B. Spatial Organization: Regional Similarities & Differences

CGW4C

E. Community Action

Consequences of the unequal distribution and availability of food resources How population growth affects the availability and consumption of   natural resources

How individuals and NGOs work to resolve environmental issues through local projects  Ecological footprints of people around the world and the differences between them

C. Sustainability of Natural Resources

CGW4C

C U R R I C U L U M

COURSE/ STRAND CURRICULUM LINKS

1

THE EVOLUTION OFAGRICULTURE

THE ISSUES

1 in 9people experience hunger

every day [2]

experienced hunger in 2014 - more

than the combined population of

the EU, Russia and Japan [2] 

805 million people

Human social development experienced a          

major turning point with the advent of agriculture.

With the shift away from hunting and gathering,

people began planting crops and raising livestock.

For the first time, previously nomadic groups could

settle in one place and store food for later

consumption [1]. 

Food systems of all scales have continued to evolve,

with each innovation bringing new challenges,

increasing diversity and complexity [1]. 

...to have access to food in sufficient

quantity and quality – is a human  

right which is entrenched in terms      

of binding international law [2] 

GLOBAL HUNGERThe current global food system bears little

resemblance to the humble beginnings of

agriculture known to the first farmers. Today,

the production and distribution of food is a

global phenomena that “increasingly takes

place across vast and complex networks” [1].

Source: 10 Billion: What's On Your Plate?

Source: 10 Billion: What's On Your Plate?

The distribution of undernutrition and

malnutrition is highly uneven [2].

Undernutrition and malnutrition are mostly

experienced by those in rural regions of

developing countries with stark divides

between gender and economic class [2]. 

Hunger Is Uneven:

2

GLOBAL FOOD PRODUCTION

GLOBAL FOOD CONSUMPTION

Global food systems currently produce more food than would be needed to feed everyone, and food production continues to

increase at a faster rate than the world's population [2]. 

Land Useof land (not covered by ice)

 is agricultural land [3]

of land (not covered by ice) is

used for livestock grazing [4]

of all cropland is used to

produce feed for livestock [4]

26%33%

37%12 million hectares of the world's agricultural

land are lost each year due to unsuitable

cultivation methods, livestock over-grazing,

erosion and urban construction. If this trend

continues, agricultural output will fall by up to

12% in the next 25 years [2]. 

Since 1983, demand for meat has risen steadily in developed countries and steeply in developing

countries [1], largely due to increasing prosperity across the developing world [2]. If that trend

continues, agricultural production will have to increase by two thirds by 2050 to meet demand [2]. 

GLOBAL FOOD DISTRIBUTIONFood production, processing and distribution occur across vast areas and utilize increasingly

complex networks [1]. The United States is estimated to import 10 to 15 percent of all food

consumed by American households [1]. Evolutions in the production and distribution of food,

such as refrigeration and international transit methods, have enabled the quick transportation

of perishable foods [1].  

Source: 10 Billion: What's On Your Plate?

3

HOW ARE WE FEEDING THE WORLD TODAY?

Local Food

Local food production provides the majority of the food

consumed worldwide [5]. In regions where locally

produced food is unavailable or in short supply, trade

has been introduced to add to available food sources

and varieties [5]. Agricultural trade has continued to

expand at an unprecedented rate, the benefits of which

have been felt unevenly across the world, with

developed countries often outpacing developing

countries in terms of infrastructure and scale [5].

10 Billion: What's On Your Plate? highlights local food

movements such as the UK's Incredible Edible Network,

which aims to encourage local food production and

sharing. The network focuses on access as much as

growth, placing "Help Yourself" signs in community

gardens and working with local groups like police [6].

Organic Farming

SMALL FAMILY FARMS

9/10

80%

represent 9 out of 10 farms

in the world [7]

produce 80% of the world's

food supply [7]

are more likely to be poor and

lack food security [7]

Organic farming aims to develop enterprises that are

sustainable and harmonious with the environment [8].

Maintain soil fertility

Protect biodiversity

Recycle materials      

and resources

Rely on renewable energy

Promote the health and

behavioural needs of

livestock

The principles of organic farming are [8]:

Intensive Farming

Intensive farming aims to produce the highest output

with the least amount of land, including the use

of chemicals such as pesticides [9].

Source (top): RSA NorthwestSource (middle and bottom): 10 Billion: What's On Your Plate

4

HOW CAN WE FEED THE WORLD TOMORROW?

Genetically engineered crops have been developed

across the world in a wide variety of plant species to

combat a number of agricultural challenges. A

common principal goal of designing crops is to

increase not only the amount of food produced, but

also the nutritional value of that food [12].

Focusing on genetic traits with the greatest ability to

increase yields, many crop varieties are designed to

accelerate breeding [12]. The largest impact is

expected to come from introducing these new

technologies to developing countries where food

scarcity is most distinct [12]. 

Crop Science

Lab Grown ProteinProfessor Mark Post (featured in the film) and his 

team of scientists at Maastricht University in the

Netherlands were the first in the world to grow a

burger from stem cells [10]. At present, the sample

lacks the fat found in normal meat and in turn, some

of the traditional taste [10]. The cost associated with

lab grown beef is too high to be sold widely, but the

team is confident that the technology could be ready

to sell in five years [10]. 

Vegetable FactoriesThe "robot farm" featured in the film is the world's

first of its kind. Capable of producing up to 50,000

heads of lettuce a day and staffed almost entirely by

robots, Spread Inc. employs a vertical farming

technique to save space. The use of LED lighting and

the recycling of 98% of water used will greatly cut

down on production costs, while the automation of

the process will help fill the labour gap left by an

aging population [11]

Source: RSA Northwest

Source: 10 Billion: What's On Your Plate

Source: Bayer Scientific Magazine

BLOGS & WEBSITES

E X T R A R E S O U R C E S

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)                                           Sustainable Food and Agriculture

Forbes: Japanese robot farm company going big and looking at new vegetables

The Guardian: Japanese firm to open world's first robot-run farm

The Guardian: Eat less meat to prevent climate disaster, study warns

Bayer Crop Science

TED Talk: Pamela Ronald: The Case for Engineering Our Food

Spread Co.

Transition Town Totnes

Incredible Edible (Todmorden)

CNBC: Organic farming more drought resistant: Report

Voice of America: Climate change hurting small farmers

BBC News: Team wants to sell lab grown meat in five years

NEWS COVERAGE

VIDEOS

R E F E R E N C E S

[1] Board on Global Health. "Improving Food Safety Through A One Health Approach."

Workshop Summary. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2012.

[2] Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. "Understanding global food

security and nutrition." Brochure. 2015.

[3] The World Bank Group. World Development Indicators. 2017. Data Bank. 

[4] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Sustainability Pathways."

2012. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States. 2017.

<http://www.fao.org/nr/sustainability/sustainability-and-livestock/en/>.

[5] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FAO Statistical

Pocketbook. Rome, 2015.

[6] Incredible Edible Network. Incredible Beginnings. 2017.

<http://incredibleediblenetwork.org.uk/incredible-beginnings>.

[7] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.. "The State of Food and

Agriculture 2014 IN BRIEF." Annual Report. 2014.

[8] Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Introduction to Organic Farming. Jan

2016. 2017. <http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/09-077.htm>. 

[9] Collins Dictionary. Definition of 'intensive farming'. 2017. Harper Collins Publishers

Limited. <https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/intensive-farming>.

[10] Ghosh, Pallab. "Team wants to sell lab grown meat in five years." BBC News.

Online. 15 Oct 2015. Newspaper.

[11] McCurry, Justin. "Japanese firm to open world's first robot-run farm." The

Guardian. Online. 2 Feb 2016. Newspaper.

[12] Tester, Mark and Peter Langridge. "Breeding Technologies to Increase Crop

Production in a Changing World." Science 327.5967 (2010).