Peak Phosphorus
Attention getter: Being food secure means having access to sufficient, affordable and nutritious
food at all time. I can tell that all of you sitting here are food secure. You can purchase food in
grocery stores, at universities dining halls or restaurants, or cook at home. But what if I tell you
that this situation could be compromised within the next couple of years? In fact, phosphorus
resources, a nutrient necessary for food growth, is decreasing at an alarming rate. This issue can
lead to extreme food scarcity. To give you an idea of how bad things could be, you can think
about the fact that food was so scarce in China in the 1960s and Ethiopia back in the 1980s that
it lead to a famine, and the death of millions of people.
Benefits to Audience: Phosphorus scarcity is seen as remote and having no effect on our
individual lives. However, it is an issue that concerns us all, no matter if you live in a rich or poor
country, and could potentially the generations to come.
Thesis: Today, I’d like to talk about the peak phosphorus, one of the most important food security
and environmental concern to date.
Preview: In this speech, I will begin by explaining the global phosphorus situation. Then, I will
discuss the likely effects of the peak on our food systems.
Transition: First I’ll discuss the relevance of phosphorus in plant growth and its global situation.
