How to Feed the World
A Factful Guide
(Author) Vaclav Smil'There is no author whose books I look forward to more' Bill Gates 'A fascinating deep dive...a wonderful fact-based tour of our food system, past and present. It opens up plenty of interesting debates on what to do next to feed 10 billion people without wrecking the planet' Hannah Ritchie, author of Not the End of the World In this ambitious, myth-busting book, leading scientist and internationally bestselling author Vaclav Smil investigates many of the burning questions facing the world today: 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.
Vaclav Smil
Vaclav Smil is a Czech-Canadian scientist and author known for his work in energy, environmental, and population studies. He is the author of over 40 books that cover a wide range of topics including energy transitions, environmental sustainability, and the history of technology.
Smil's writing style is characterized by its thorough research, data-driven analysis, and accessible language. His contributions to literature include providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing humanity in the 21st century, particularly in the areas of energy consumption and climate change.
One of Smil's most famous works is "Energy and Civilization: A History," in which he traces the relationship between energy use and societal development throughout human history. This book has had a significant impact on the field of energy studies and has been praised for its comprehensive and insightful analysis. Overall, Vaclav Smil's work has made a lasting impact on the literary genre of science and technology writing, and his contributions continue to be highly regarded in academic and popular circles.