In this ambitious, myth-busting book, leading scientist and internationally bestselling author Vaclav Smil asks:
- Why are some of the world’s biggest food producers also the countries with the most undernourished populations?
- Why is food waste a colossal 1,000kcal per person daily, and how can we solve that?
- Could we all go vegan and be healthy? Should we?
- How will we feed the ballooning population without killing the planet?
How Food Really Works shows how we misunderstand the essentials of where our food really comes from, how our dietary requirements shape us, and why this impacts our planet in drastic ways. Ultimately, this data-based, rigorously researched guide explains how we will survive and thrive long into the future.
Bill Gates loves this book. In his review, he writes, “Many discussions about feeding the world focus on increasing agricultural productivity through improved seeds, healthier soils, better farming practices, and more productive livestock (all priorities for the Gates Foundation). Vaclav, however, insists we already produce more than enough food to feed the world. The real challenge, he says, is what happens after the food is grown…
This kind of argument is classic Vaclav—questioning assumptions, forcing us to rethink the way we frame problems, and turning conventional wisdom on its head. His analysis is never about the best- or worst-case scenarios; it’s about what the numbers actually tell us.”
As the world’s population approaches 10 billion, increasing agricultural productivity alone won’t solve hunger and malnutrition. We also need to ensure that food is more accessible and affordable, less wasted, and just as nutritious as it is abundant.
