Plain History: How Norman Borlaug Stopped the Apocalypse

Plain English with Derek Thompson delves into one of the most pivotal yet underappreciated chapters in modern history: the Green Revolution and the remarkable contributions of Norman Borlaug. In this episode, host Derek Thompson engages with journalist and author Charles C. Mann to unravel how Borlaug's groundbreaking agricultural innovations averted a global catastrophe of famine.

1. The Looming Threat of Global Famine

Derek Thompson sets the stage by highlighting the pervasive fear of the mid-20th century that unchecked population growth would lead to widespread starvation. He references Paul Ehrlich’s 1968 bestseller, The Population Bomb, which ominously predicted mass starvation in the 1970s. This dire outlook was not unfounded; historical famines had already claimed millions of lives in the 1930s and 1940s, with a staggering 36 million deaths from famine in the late 1950s and early 1960s alone. However, contrary to these grim predictions, global famine rates declined dramatically in the subsequent decades.

Derek Thompson [04:04]: "The apocalypse that everybody said was coming never came. And the reason why begins with the fact that we invented super wheat."

2. Enter Norman Borlaug and the Green Revolution

The episode introduces Norman Borlaug, a plant pathologist whose work in Mexico spearheaded what is now known as the Green Revolution. Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Borlaug's mission was to develop a strain of wheat that could withstand stem rust, a devastating fungal disease.

Derek Thompson [04:20]: "He managed to create a breed of wheat that was super abundant, highly efficient, and disease-resistant."

Borlaug’s innovations were so impactful that in 2007, the Wall Street Journal famously declared he had "arguably saved more lives than anyone in world history. Maybe 1 billion more than any person who's ever lived."

3. The Science Behind the Breakthrough

Charles C. Mann and Norman Borlaug delve into the intricate science that underpinned the Green Revolution. They discuss the critical role of nitrogen in plant growth and the revolutionary Haber-Bosch process developed by Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch. This process enabled the synthesis of ammonia, making nitrogen fertilizer widely available and significantly boosting crop yields.

Charles C. Mann [07:49]: "Nitrogen is really hard to separate."

Borlaug explains the challenges of photosynthesis efficiency and the necessity of bioavailable nitrogen for optimal plant growth, setting the foundation for his work in wheat breeding.

4. Overcoming Stem Rust: The Mexican Crusade

Borlaug recounts his arduous journey in Mexico, where he faced not only the relentless stem rust but also the logistical challenges of plant breeding without modern technology. Working in a rudimentary shack with minimal tools, Borlaug and his team painstakingly cross-bred hundreds of wheat varieties to develop a strain resistant to stem rust.

Norman Borlaug [32:08]: "He literally was working in a lean to shack, okay? And basically the only tools that he had was a pair of tweezers and a hat."

Despite initial skepticism from experts who doubted the feasibility of his approach, Borlaug's relentless trial-and-error method eventually yielded "universal wheat"—a versatile, high-yielding, and disease-resistant variety that could thrive in diverse climates.

5. The Ripple Effect: Transforming Global Agriculture

The introduction of Borlaug's wheat varieties triggered a seismic shift in global agriculture. Countries like India and China, which were grappling with severe food shortages and famines, quickly adopted these high-yield strains. This not only alleviated hunger but also spurred economic growth and political stability in these regions.

Charles C. Mann [55:44]: "Much of south and East Asia was plagued with hunger...today in the 21st century, Asians have on average 30% more calories than in their diet than they did 50, 60 years ago."

Borlaug's influence extended beyond wheat. His principles were applied to rice cultivation in Southeast Asia, leading to similar successes in increasing yields and ensuring food security.

6. Lessons for the Present and Future

The episode underscores that the Green Revolution is an ongoing necessity. Charles C. Mann emphasizes that while Borlaug's achievements were monumental, new challenges such as emerging strains of stem rust and parasitic weeds like Striga threaten global food security today. Borlaug himself stresses the importance of continued investment in agricultural research to meet the demands of a growing population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050.

Norman Borlaug [62:15]: "We have a big challenge ahead of us. I think that it's a doable challenge, but I don't think it's an easy one."

7. The Enduring Legacy of Norman Borlaug

Norman Borlaug's work exemplifies the profound impact that dedicated scientific inquiry and perseverance can have on humanity. His ability to endure and persist through countless failures ultimately led to innovations that saved millions of lives and transformed global agriculture.

Charles C. Mann [60:14]: "Do you think that Norman Borlaug has a case of being the person who did the most good of any single individual in the last 100 years?"

Borlaug humbly attributes his success to a collective effort, acknowledging the many individuals who contributed to the Green Revolution.

Conclusion

Plain History: How Norman Borlaug Stopped the Apocalypse serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role that science and innovation play in addressing global challenges. It celebrates Borlaug's extraordinary contributions while also highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance and investment in agricultural research to ensure future food security.

Note: All quotes and timestamps are based on the provided transcript excerpts.