STARVATION - It is a shocking fact that millions of human die each year from starvation. This equates to roughly 3 million children and 6 million adults. Nine million in total. Every year. That is 25,000 people dying every day from malnutrition. Chew on that!

Food security is making sure that there is enough food on the planet, that is grown sustainably, to feed the world population.

The sad fact is that we are using up our natural resources at the rate of 2.4 planets. This means fish stocks are being depleted in all our oceans and seas. It also means that agricultural land is being turned into deserts (called desertification).

In the United Kingdom, Europe, America and Australia, we hardly notice shortages. So it seems a very distant prospect that won't affect us. We just moan a little when prices go up. But in Africa and Asia, starving to death is commonplace.

The international challenge is to reduce the burning up of natural resources, to under 1.0 planet. Otherwise, global warming will reduce our farmland even more, and fisheries will be fished out. But worse than that, our planet will become unbearably hot with climate change, to the point where life and property is threatened from bush and forest fires.

What then?

Well, you either starve, steal another country's land to grow grain - meaning war, so killing to survive - or, as a very last resort; eat each other.

Okay, that is ridiculous thinking. Or is it. Humans do eat each other when faced with starvation. It is a stark fact.

But fear not. This is all doom and gloom, when the solution is simple. We might just begin to eat more responsibly. Leading by example - if you can.

Difficult, when you are trying to get in shape. But not so if we change our diet a little, and encourage others to help when they can. Not to judge, apportion blame, or anything like that. That is counterproductive. And the gift of life should be there to enjoy.

Many wild animals survive by eating each other. We cannot persuade them otherwise. But we have the unique ability to reason. We owe it to them to try to save the world we live in. But only if we can : )

This is our philosophy. Train responsibly.

THE GOOD NEWS

Yes, there is good news. People who are in shape are more efficient animals. By eating just enough to stay trim, we are not burdening the world to grow more food than we need. Proportioned people need less food for locomotion, than someone carrying more weight than they need.

It gets better. By changing your diet just a little, you can reduce the demand for lamb and beef. Perhaps, by enjoying a "No Meat Monday." If 7 billion of us did that, we'd reduce greenhouse gases significantly. You can still enjoy your favourite meals, but have them as special events - rather than routine indulgences.

If you drive a gas guzzler, when you can afford it (and fingers crossed the prices come down soon) change to an electric vehicle. That will reduce carbon monoxide and harmful particulates. But most of the energy to drive will be coming from renewables, like solar and wind farms. The UK gets over 50% of it's electricity from sustainable supplies.

If you eat more nuts and high-protein cereals, the conversion to meat is taken out of the agricultural loop. That conversion is woefully inefficient. Growing grass for cows, grain for chickens, fish meal for farmed fish, etc. Food chains cost the planet energy, that we cannot afford at the moment.

As the population becomes enlightened (so spread the news), we believe that most people will eventually cut meat out of their diets for two or more days. Thankfully, more food companies have cottoned to the general exodus, and are now providing enhanced cereal products. Meaning that you don't need to eat meat to be healthy. Indeed, eating red meat is not at all healthy. You will die younger on a red meat diet.

The biggest fish eaters, Japan, have more centenarians than any other country. Because they love fish. 

A negative, is that in 2012, the United Nations estimated that there were 316,600 living centenarians worldwide. As world population and life expectancy continue to increase, the number of centenarians (people living over 100 years) is expected to increase substantially. With world population still rising, and people living longer, we may need to cut out more meat days.

Working alongside energy companies, who are transitioning to renewables, and with higher insulation on new and retro-fitted homes - to reduce heating bills; the planet may begin to cool. Good news for our grandchildren.

The bottom line is food security. The ability to grow enough food to feed the planet.

CLIMATE CONCERNS

The production of red meats is the most damaging in terms of global warming, lamb and beef generating the most methane. Vikeen is not trying to force a change to your eating preferences, but it pays to know more about how your eating patterns may affect climate change. So that if given the choice, and the food is tasty and satisfying, that you may want to consider a healthier option, or just varying your choices a little from time to time.

For example, pescetarians live longer, displacing red meat for fish. But fish supplies are declining from overfishing, according to a Report from the Marine Stewardship Council in 2022. Something Terry (our founder) is very concerned about. He is also concerned about Food Security in general, as in making sure there is enough sustainably farmed (and fished) food to feed our global population. Where at the moment deserts are being made of agricultural land, at an alarming rate, according to the United Nations FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).

Terry is a vegan, imposing more of a challenge on him, in sustaining a healthy regime with sufficient nutrients to remain on top form. Thus, he is in tune with your concerns, whether weaning off meat one day a week, moving to eating more fish, or going veggie. The vegan diet is the most difficult to stay true to. Many people would find that difficult, if not impossible.