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20 February 2024
Global hunger crisis deepens due to climate change and conflicts
The escalating global food crisis, fueled by climate change, extreme weather, and conflicts, is pushing millions into hunger and malnutrition, signaling an unprecedented challenge in global food security.
In short:
- The U.N. World Food Program describes the current situation as a hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate shocks, and conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
- More than 3.1 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet, with the most alarming increases in hunger levels seen in the Caribbean, Western Asia and Africa.
- Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, are significantly impacting food production, with 2023 being the hottest year on record and the return of El Niño causing further disruptions.
Key quote:
"If we do not redouble and better target our efforts, our goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030 will remain out of reach."
— U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
Why this matters:
This crisis underscores the need for targeted actions to address food insecurity, a challenge that intertwines with broader issues of climate change and global stability.
Read: Legendary scientists weigh in on converging crises threatening future food security.
