We are 6.6 billion people now. We can only feed 4 billion. I don't see 2 billion volunteers to disappear.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the stark reality of global overpopulation and food scarcity.
Norman Borlaug's quote addresses the critical challenge faced by humanity regarding food production and population growth. He points out the alarming disparity between the current world population and the capacity of the agricultural system to adequately feed it, suggesting that we cannot simply wish away the problem, and emphasizes the need for realistic solutions to sustain the growing population without sacrificing lives.
In practice
In discussions about global food security at a conference.
During the past three years spectacular progress has been made in increasing wheat, rice, and maize production in several of the most populous developing countries of southern Asia, where widespread famine appeared inevitable only five years ago
We must recognize the fact that adequate food is only the first requisite for life. For a decent and humane life, we must also provide an opportunity for good education, remunerative employment, comfortable housing, good clothing, and effective and compassionate medical care.
Nevertheless, the number of farmers, small as well as large, who are adopting the new seeds and new technology is increasing very rapidly, and the increase in numbers during the past three years has been phenomenal.
Africa needs roads. Roads bring know-how and fertilizer to farmers and ideas and business for commerce.
This is a basic problem, to feed 6.6 billion people. Without fertilizer, forget it. The game is over.
For, behind the scenes, halfway around the world in Mexico, were two decades of aggressive research on wheat that not only enabled Mexico to become self-sufficient with respect to wheat production but also paved the way to rapid increase in its production in other countries.
When the buying stops, the killing can too.
Our particular problem in America at this point in history is the widespread loss of the sense of individual significance, a loss which is sensed inwardly as impotence.
In an age of speed, I began to think nothing could be more exhilarating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.
In every adult there lurks a childβ an eternal child, something that is always becoming, is never completed, and calls for unceasing care, attention, and education. That is the part of the personality which wants to develop and become whole.
It is not that the meaning cannot be explained. But there are certain meanings that are lost forever the moment they are explained in words.
Abraham Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should therefore be slaves. Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion or infanticide.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.