But China's current account was already in surplus when the investment slowdown started, and is rising faster than it did a decade ago, so if and when the effects feed through to consumption, the change in the current account could be much bigger than last time.

ECONOMIST: The frugal giant

At the same time, a pickup in personal consumption does feed business sentiment and could lead to increased activity.

FORBES: Consumption Picks Up In July Indicating Lower Risk Of Deflation

The more animals there are being raised for human consumption, the more demand there is for feed crops, fertilizers, farming equipment, seeds and arable land.

FORBES: Grains Over Gold

Urban agriculture has enormous potential: It can theoretically feed far more people in a healthier manner, while simultaneously reducing fossil fuel consumption, but it also faces enormous obstacles (technical, economic, social).

FORBES: Imagining Skyscraper Farms

Investors are warming up to technology that promises to produce healthier crop efficiently and promote local consumption, given the challenge of managing the existing land, water and other resources to feed a growing population worldwide.

FORBES: Water, Food, Transportation: Where Green Tech Investments Will Go In 2013