'Though barely known in the country of his birth, elsewhere in the world Norman Borlaug is widely considered to be among the leading Americans of our age ... Norman Borlaug has already saved more lives than any other person who ever lived ... Borlaug is responsible for the fact that throughout the postwar era, except in sub-Saharan Africa, global food production has expanded faster than the human population, averting the mass starvations that were widely predicted -- for example, in the 1967 best seller Famine -- 1975! The form of agriculture that Borlaug preaches may have prevented a billion deaths.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This person is globally recognized for increasing food production and saving lives.
- In plain terms
- The world sees him as a leader who saved many lives through farming.
- What can you take from it?
- Global impact comes from solving basic human needs.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we measure success?
- Who deserves credit for progress?
Another view
One person's impact is often a result of broader systemic changes.
More from Norman Borlaug
'At a time when doom-sayers were hopping around saying everyone was going to starve, Norman was working. He moved to Mexico and lived among the people there un…
Permalink to quote #7 'Norman Borlaug is the living embodiment of the human quest for a hunger free world. His life is his message.'
Permalink to quote #9 'Some credit him with saving more human lives than any other person in history.'
Permalink to quote #6
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