World Food Shortages Set To Impact Millions

Countries gathered today at the UN emergency global summit, reach consensus on the future of food security. Stirling, Scotland, 12/10/18 - World food shortages on the horizon as population set to exceed 9. 7 billion by 2050The UK, USA, Africa, India, EU, China, Brazil, Agri-business, NGO and UN gather to discuss sustainability of food security. Today marked a global coming together as leaders across the world announced plans for a global shake-up, with new initiatives to increase food security agreed.

Food security is a situation that exists when all members of a household have physical, social and economic access to enough food, at all times, to maintain a nutritional and active life (Anderson 1990). However as food prices rise to levels similar to that of the 2008 food price spike, household’s ability to purchase food is reducing while healthy nutritional diets decrease. Figures suggest that the number of undernourished people in the world has increased to 821 million (FAO et al. 2018). According to the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations, 1. 3 billion tons of food is wasted each year. Food waste takes place at various points in the food chain; from the physical point food is harvest, to the storage techniques used.

The agricultural area used to generate the amount of waste produced each year is 28% (FAO 2013). With land shortages growing in an ever increasing population, a reduction in food waste could ease pressure on food security. Representatives of the UN summit were in agreement that investment and raised awareness was needed to reduce food waste. Raising awareness and investment in education was high on the agenda, particularly across developed countries, where the consumption rate is nearly twice as much as less developed countries - 900 kg/per year vs. 460kg/per year (FAO 2011). Through global communication and new informative media campaigns, it is hoped a better educated population will lead to a reduction in food consumption. Climate change is also impacting the security of our food. The global temperature is expected to be 4. 1 °C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 (Climate Action Tracker 2017). This number may not seem significant on initial viewing; however it is a significant risk to the world’s global food security. Seasonal climates and unpredictable weather are impacting the delivery of expected yields in crops such as wheat. The rising heat has a negative impact on plants and soils around the world as evaporation increases.

The increase in evaporation is creating a greater demand for water to fuel the soils and plants, which in turn reduces overall water availability. Tensions and conflict between countries over water resources are on the rise as a consequence. Today, representatives at the UN summit agreed on methods to reduce the tension between countries and settled on initiatives to ease the demand of water. One of which was for developed countries such as the UK and USA to equip Africa with the technology needed to extract water from the large trapped reservoir beneath Africa, thought to be an estimated 660,000 cubic kilometres (Lorenzi and Berrebi 2016). In exchange for helping Africa extract and set up a water infrastructure, Africa would allow the partnered countries access to the water. The agreement would benefit Africa, as a new water infrastructure could provide clean water to millions who currently have no access. This water could also be used for agricultural purposes. The countries who aid Africa to facilitate the infrastructure could in return ease the demand for water in their own countries. Representatives at the UN summit were also in agreement at the implications caused by insecurity of food across the globe.

Research shows food insecurity is related to health problems in children. Lack of food security increases the likelihood of children being hospitalised and developing chronic health conditions such as stunted growth. Stunted growth is a condition which can develop throughout pregnancy and in early years after birth, which results in a loss of height and ability to gain weight through adolescence. The lack of nutrition and sanitation for the mother during pregnancy can impact a child’s cognitive capacity and increase the risk of disease (UNICEF 2009). With representatives from the UN summit joining forces to tackle food waste, water distribution and many other initiatives, it is hoped food security across the world can be sustainable. Those who are at risk to malnourishment have a greater opportunity to access enough food to maintain a nutritional and active life. To conclude, the UN summit representatives agreed to set up an independent panel, which would be responsible for overseeing the facilitation of the new initiatives and monitor progress towards targets and objectives. The information gathered by the independent panel would be continuously updated and amendments made where the needs of developed and non developed countries change. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact 2616977.