Don Hinrichsen

Don Hinrichsen is a senior consultant on population and environment for the United Nations Population Fund and the author of Coastal Waters of the World: Trends, Threats, and Strategies. In this viewpoint, Hinrichsen argues that in many countries the demand for food exceeds the available supply. The hunger caused by overpopulation, he argues, could be reduced by preventing unintended pregnancies through contraception. In his view, this would slow the growth in demand for food, giving governments more time to find ways to improve food production techniques.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How does the UN Food and Agriculture Organization define the term “food security,” and, according to Hinrichsen, about how many people lack food security?
2. In the author’s estimation, by what percentage would Asia have to increase its food production...