TED Talks Daily Can we hack photosynthesis to feed the world? | Steve Long
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Nov 29, 2023 Steve Long is a leading crop scientist dedicated to revolutionizing photosynthesis to improve food production and combat climate change. He explains the inefficiencies in current photosynthesis processes and discusses innovative digital models designed to enhance crop productivity. Long shares insights on genetic modifications that can yield sustainable results, like the insect-resistant cowpea in Nigeria. He emphasizes the urgency of these advancements in addressing food shortages and adapting to rising carbon dioxide levels.
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Growing Food Insecurity
- Global food insufficiency is increasing, posing a significant challenge, especially in Africa and Asia.
- Demand for food is outpacing supply, necessitating innovative solutions.
Photosynthesis Inefficiency
- Photosynthesis, crucial for food and oxygen production, is surprisingly inefficient in crops.
- Crops only achieve about 20% of their potential photosynthetic efficiency.
Photosynthesis Modeling Challenges
- Initial attempts to model photosynthesis digitally failed due to complexity.
- A rocket scientist's methods helped overcome the modeling challenge, highlighting that photosynthesis is 'harder than rocket science'.