Climate Change Adds Food Insecurity |
|
Photo: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Environmentalists believe climate change poses the greatest threat to public health because it will exacerbate the inequities between the rich and poor when it comes to disease, food insecurity, water and sanitation, shelter, extreme events and population migration.
According to the Lancet and University College London Institute for Global Health's new report climate change will worsen malnutrition and food insecurity.
Each year, 3.5 million young mothers and children die because of malnutrition, low birth weight and poor breast feeding. Additionally, one-third of children born in developing nations suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition.
Prior to the global food shortage that hit its peak during the third quarter of 2008, approximately 800 million people suffered from calorie deficiencies around the world. Since then, between 100 million to 850 million additional people suffer from hunger.
The United Nations World Food Programme estimates annual food emergencies have gone from an average of 15 during the 1980's to over 30 recently.
Agriculture experts already predict crop yields for commodities such as soybeans, corn and wheat will be low in the coming year. Poor weather and competition from ethanol production are contributing factors.
Immediately, global food markets will see price jumps as nations compete to store enough reserves for anticipated shortages. Since commodities such as soy and corn also feed livestock, other food prices will surely soar as well.
Experts believe corn and soybean yields in the United States drop 17 percent for every one-degree rise in temperatures. Some statistical crop models predict that regions in South Asia and South Africa will see large declines in maize, wheat and rice crops by 2030.
Other studies suggest half of the world's population could face food shortages by the end of the century. Projections expect annual yields of maize, wheat and rice to decline between 20 to 40 percent.
Hunger, disease and death will worsen as climate change disrupts farming, forestry, livestock, marine life and water systems. If sea levels rise and flood coastal lands, salination of fresh water and agricultural lands will devastate farming. Aquatic nurseries will also dissipate.
Droughts and other extreme weather could lead to various pests that infect livestock and other wildlife. This could destroy industries, which would add economic devastation to ecological and epidemiological destruction.
Thus far, food insecurity has been contained to rural, less developed areas. However, the 2008 food crisis invaded weaker urban areas. This suggests any prolonged breakdown in the global food system will eventually flow into developed communities thought to be immune from such problems.
Food production contributes to climate change. Livestock production accounts for as much as 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, far greater than transportation. Though it is an unscientific anecdote, there is truth behind the idea a vegetarian in a gas guzzling sports utility vehicle does more for the environment than an omnivore in a hybrid vehicle.
Reducing meat production and consumption is certainly one way to curb greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are also other inefficiencies in the food system.
For instance, food waste is costly because of the energy, transportation, emissions, raw materials and packaging materials that go into manufacturing and distributing food.
Reports indicate Americans waste 27 percent of the food available for consumption each year. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, recovering 5 percent could feed 4 million people while recovering 25 percent could feed 20 million people.
Furthermore, government reports from the United Kingdom suggest consumers waste approximately 6.7 million tonnes or £10 billion every year. In Australia, similar reports indicate consumers spent $10.5 billion on food they never consumed.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the food industry and government must shore up ways to prevent waste.
In their report, "The Environmental Food Crisis: The Environment's Role in Averting Future Food Crisis," UNEP found 20 to 40 percent of harvests in the developing world being discarded because of pathogens and pests.
Global standards in technology, inspection, traceability, sanitation and distribution are necessary. It is not acceptable to discard over half of the food produced in the world because of spoilage, contamination or waste.
Without industry and government commitment throughout the world, climate change will threaten the global food supply and increase malnutrition and insecurity.
Environmentalists believe climate change poses the greatest threat to public health because it will exacerbate the inequities between the rich and poor when it comes to disease, food insecurity, water and sanitation, shelter, extreme events and population migration.
According to the Lancet and University College London Institute for Global Health's new report climate change will worsen malnutrition and food insecurity.
Each year, 3.5 million young mothers and children die because of malnutrition, low birth weight and poor breast feeding. Additionally, one-third of children born in developing nations suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition.
Prior to the global food shortage that hit its peak during the third quarter of 2008, approximately 800 million people suffered from calorie deficiencies around the world. Since then, between 100 million to 850 million additional people suffer from hunger.
The United Nations World Food Programme estimates annual food emergencies have gone from an average of 15 during the 1980's to over 30 recently.
Agriculture experts already predict crop yields for commodities such as soybeans, corn and wheat will be low in the coming year. Poor weather and competition from ethanol production are contributing factors.
Immediately, global food markets will see price jumps as nations compete to store enough reserves for anticipated shortages. Since commodities such as soy and corn also feed livestock, other food prices will surely soar as well.
Experts believe corn and soybean yields in the United States drop 17 percent for every one-degree rise in temperatures. Some statistical crop models predict that regions in South Asia and South Africa will see large declines in maize, wheat and rice crops by 2030.
Other studies suggest half of the world's population could face food shortages by the end of the century. Projections expect annual yields of maize, wheat and rice to decline between 20 to 40 percent.
Hunger, disease and death will worsen as climate change disrupts farming, forestry, livestock, marine life and water systems. If sea levels rise and flood coastal lands, salination of fresh water and agricultural lands will devastate farming. Aquatic nurseries will also dissipate.
Droughts and other extreme weather could lead to various pests that infect livestock and other wildlife. This could destroy industries, which would add economic devastation to ecological and epidemiological destruction.
Thus far, food insecurity has been contained to rural, less developed areas. However, the 2008 food crisis invaded weaker urban areas. This suggests any prolonged breakdown in the global food system will eventually flow into developed communities thought to be immune from such problems.
Food production contributes to climate change. Livestock production accounts for as much as 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, far greater than transportation. Though it is an unscientific anecdote, there is truth behind the idea a vegetarian in a gas guzzling sports utility vehicle does more for the environment than an omnivore in a hybrid vehicle.
Reducing meat production and consumption is certainly one way to curb greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are also other inefficiencies in the food system.
For instance, food waste is costly because of the energy, transportation, emissions, raw materials and packaging materials that go into manufacturing and distributing food.
Reports indicate Americans waste 27 percent of the food available for consumption each year. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, recovering 5 percent could feed 4 million people while recovering 25 percent could feed 20 million people.
Furthermore, government reports from the United Kingdom suggest consumers waste approximately 6.7 million tonnes or £10 billion every year. In Australia, similar reports indicate consumers spent $10.5 billion on food they never consumed.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the food industry and government must shore up ways to prevent waste.
In their report, "The Environmental Food Crisis: The Environment's Role in Averting Future Food Crisis," UNEP found 20 to 40 percent of harvests in the developing world being discarded because of pathogens and pests.
Global standards in technology, inspection, traceability, sanitation and distribution are necessary. It is not acceptable to discard over half of the food produced in the world because of spoilage, contamination or waste.
Without industry and government commitment throughout the world, climate change will threaten the global food supply and increase malnutrition and insecurity.
© 2009 Flavor Hub, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
