Nourishing 9 Billion: Millennials Weigh in on Global Food Challenges

Editor's Note: A version of this post originally appeared on the Net Impact blog.

By Paula Luu

The world’s population is expected to grow from 7 billion to 9 billion people by 2050. Right now, there are 805 million hungry people in the world. It’s estimated that 16 percent of those 805 million people live in developed countries.

Meanwhile, agriculture contributes to almost 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, uses 37 percent of landmass, and accounts for 70 percent of all freshwater extracted globally for human use. It is also a major polluter, as runoff from fertilizers and manure disrupts water sources like lakes, rivers and coastal ecosystems. Figuring out how to feed 9 billion people — while also advancing rural development, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting valuable ecosystems — is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

To contribute to the solutions for a sustainable future, Net Impact and CollaborateUp hosted two "Nourishing 9 Billion" SolutionLabs at the University of California, Davis and Tufts University this spring. Both events were part of our new national series designed to allow students to work side-by-side with food system experts to engage with this critical issue and develop solutions that could change the world.

A diverse group of over 60 students -– from computer science majors to international development majors to soil science PhD candidates -– and young professionals gathered to generate groundbreaking ideas, all bringing a variety of perspectives and knowledge to the table and approaching the issue from different interest points.

Millennials speak up

Regardless of what drew them to the event, one thing was clear: This issue matters to millennials. But don't take our word for it ... hear from a few of the students who are spending their time thinking about the world’s toughest problems.

(Part 1 of 4) As part of our #NIVoices series, we interviewed Net Impact students and professionals to get their thoughts on why it's important for young people to engage and solve global food security issues. Last Friday, over 60 students and young professionals attended our #Nourish9B SolutionsLab at UC Davis. Watch or other videos from #Nourish9B to learn more! Featured: Efran Tash, @efrant

A video posted by Net Impact (@netimpact) on Jun 1, 2015 at 3:56pm PDT

Students and young professionals at the SolutionsLab broke up into groups with the experts to develop ideas and solutions for a specific problem in the food system, which they pitched to the experts for feedback. Areas where the next-generation leaders saw the most promise included reducing food waste nationally and globally, coming up with a way to monetize food waste, and diversifying diet and farming practices in developing countries. Students pointed out the problems with our current food system:

(Part 3 of 4) During the #Nourish9B SolutionsLab, students and professionals worked side-by-side with experts to engage develop solutions to the critical issue of #foodsecurity. The role of #GMOs was briefly discussed, but students like UC Davis Soils and Biogeochemistry doctoral candidate Jessica Chiartes (@mindbodysoil) believe there are many other techniques farmers can build on to increase food production, such as crop diversification, regeneration, and waste conservation. #NIVoices A video posted by Net Impact (@netimpact) on Jun 1, 2015 at 4:22pm PDT

Brainstorming about these issues also allowed some participants to make unexpected connections with their own work. Rashmi Ekka applied the learnings from the day to her business idea that she's lauching in India after she graduates from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

(Part 2 of 4) Students and young professionals gathered at @ucdavis to answer the question, "What social innovations would produce more nutritious food with less waste while also conserving land?" Participants offered their unique perspectives to come up with solutions, which they then pitched to food system experts, to feed the 9 billion people expected to live on Earth in 2050. Watch the rest of the #Nourish9B videos by following #NIVoices. Featured: Rashmi Ekka, @rashmiekka

A video posted by Net Impact (@netimpact) on Jun 1, 2015 at 4:04pm PDT

Even though the issue of solving our global food system seems daunting, students who attended were suprisped at how quickly their groups were able to come up with tangible solutions.

Some of the solutions proposed to improve our global food system included:

• Adding freshness indicators on food packaging to reduce food waste.


• Developing a SMS texting service to help farmers plant the most efficient crops and reduce food waste on the farm.


• Creating a recycling center for food that would provide monetary incentive for residential and commercial customers to turn in their food waste.


• Targeting malnourished regions in the world to produce soil-appropriate plant crops high in micronutrients.

Connecting with other students and professionals yielded more than just solutions. It inspired students to turn their passion into action, now and in their careers.

(Part 4 of 4) The issues surrounding our food systems are complex and global in scope, but if #Nourish9B has shown us anything, it's that the next generation of leaders are ready to tackle these issues head on. #NIVoices Featured: Andrew Tom A video posted by Net Impact (@netimpact) on Jun 1, 2015 at 4:37pm PDT

Problems this complex always have more than one solution, and we're looking forward to hearing from more of you who want to tackle this important issue with us. We're expecting the Nourishing 9 Billion SolutionsLab to arrive on more university campuses in the coming year. Stay tuned for updates and be sure to follow Net Impact on Instagram and Twitter.

Image credit: Flickr/Martina TR

Paula Luu is Senior Manager of Brand and Media Marketing for Net Impact. She raises the visibility of Net Impact as a global thought leader on next generation leaders and impact careers. Prior to joining Net Impact, she was the Communications Manager at the Pacific Institute, where she managed marketing initiatives that promoted and advocated for sustainable water policies, corporate water stewardship, and social equity.