food security
Newsletter
Decades-old oil industry magazine predicted climate crisis, starvation
In 1977, a publication by a predecessor of Marathon Petroleum warned that rising global temperatures could cause severe economic and social disruptions, including widespread starvation.
In short:
- The 1977 article from Marathon Petroleum's predecessor predicted climate-related disasters due to industrial expansion.
- The lawsuit claims Marathon and other companies concealed their knowledge of climate risks for decades.
- Marathon is accused of opposing climate policies while privately acknowledging the dangers of carbon emissions.
Key quote:
"The climate is not going to get better, only worse. Over the long haul, we are going to have to brace ourselves for the prospect of a lot of poor harvests."
— J Murray Mitchell, NOAA scientist
Why this matters:
Companies like Marathon Petroleum knew about climate change risks long ago but continued to prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. Understanding this history is vital for holding them accountable and addressing current climate challenges.
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Credit: Sonika Agarwal/Unsplash
Unpredictable rainfall challenges Indian farmers
Farmers in India struggle to adapt to erratic monsoons caused by climate change, threatening their livelihoods and the country's agriculture.
In short:
- Climate change is causing India’s monsoons to become more unpredictable, with either too much rain in short periods or prolonged dry spells.
- Farmers are facing crop failures due to these erratic patterns, impacting their economic stability and leading to increased debts and suicides.
- Experts suggest solutions like growing less water-intensive crops, localized weather forecasting, and policy changes to support affected farmers.
Key quote:
“We planted our cotton seeds after a good monsoon was predicted but it rained just two days and stopped after, so now we’re worried our crops will fail again.”
— Vijay Jawandhia, farmer
Why this matters:
Erratic monsoons threaten the livelihoods of 120 million Indian farmers, contributing to economic instability and food security issues. Effective adaptation strategies and policy changes are essential to mitigate these impacts and support the agricultural sector.
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Extreme weather threatens global food security
Droughts and floods have rendered land in some of the world's poorest regions incapable of supporting crops, leading to "zero" harvests in these areas, according to the World Food Programme.
In short:
- The World Food Programme's Martin Frick warns that extreme weather has degraded land in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, leaving them dependent on aid.
- The Global Environment Facility predicts that 95% of the world's land could become degraded by 2050; currently, 40% is already unusable for farming.
- Soil degradation exacerbates climate change, as healthy soils are crucial for carbon absorption.
Key quote:
"There's too much carbon in the air and too little carbon in the soils."
— Martin Frick, director of the World Food Programme's global office
Why this matters:
Prolonged droughts lead to the drying out and erosion of topsoil, which is vital for growing crops. Without adequate moisture, the soil's structure breaks down, reducing its fertility and its ability to retain water. Floods, on the other hand, can wash away nutrient-rich topsoil, leaving behind less fertile ground and potentially depositing salts and contaminants that can inhibit plant growth.
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Credit: ManuMNair/Big Stock Photo
Rising temperatures drive Middle East food prices higher
Extreme heat, referred to as "heatflation," is pushing up food prices in the Middle East, exacerbating economic challenges in the region.
In short:
- Tomato prices in Iraq and Morocco have tripled due to extreme weather conditions, significantly impacting low-income families.
- Onion prices in Egypt also surged due to a combination of heatwaves and production costs, with some local traders contributing to the issue.
- The World Economic Forum defines "heatflation" as rising food prices caused by extreme heat, and studies predict significant increases in food costs by 2035, particularly in already hot regions.
Key quote:
"There is no question that heatflation exists. The empirical evidence is clear that climate change is having increasing impacts on agricultural output and food prices around the world."
— Ulrich Volz, economics professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Finance at SOAS, University of London
Why this matters:
Farmers are struggling to maintain their harvests as prolonged droughts and scorching temperatures devastate fields, reduce water supplies, and increase the cost of irrigation.
As a result, the cost of staples such as wheat, vegetables, and fruits has surged, straining the budgets of households already grappling with high inflation rates. For families, this means tougher choices at the market and the potential for increased food insecurity.
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Credit: VectorMine/BigStock Photo ID: 325356871
Europe's groundwater crisis deepens
Europe's groundwater, once considered abundant, is now facing a critical decline in both quality and quantity due to climate change and industrial overexploitation.
Zeynep Sentek, Jelena Prtorić, Sarah Pilz report for Under the Surface.
In short:
- More than 15% of Europe's aquifers are in poor condition, impacting major crop-producing countries like Spain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Many countries fail to provide comprehensive data on groundwater status, hindering the assessment of the full extent of the crisis.
- The EU is criticized for not enforcing stricter water management laws, often succumbing to agricultural and chemical industry pressures.
Key quote:
“Water is difficult to find and expensive. It is no longer sustainable this way. More and more growers are giving up.”
— Bart Trybou, Belgian farmer
Why this matters:
Groundwater depletion and contamination threaten food security, public health, and economic stability across Europe. The failure to address this issue could lead to severe shortages and broader environmental crises. Read more: Farming for a small planet.
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Credit: smithore/Flickr
Opinion: Rethinking plastic production for a healthier future
Delegates meet to reshape the global approach to plastic pollution at the UN treaty talks, highlighting industry influence and warning of greenwashing.
In short:
- The authors argue that the United Nations plastic treaty discussions in Ottawa need to steer clear of industry-promoted recycling myths and focus on substantive reductions in plastic production.
- They criticize the plastics industry for promoting continued reliance on ineffective recycling methods that fail to address broader environmental and health concerns.
- Global plastic output has surged, and unless robust international regulations are implemented, it is projected to double, exacerbating health and environmental crises.
Key quote:
"Instead of supporting cuts to plastic production, the U.S. has been mimicking the petrochemical and plastics industries’ talking points at the UN convenings, focusing on waste management and emphasizing failed plastics recycling and “circular” plastics."
— Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and Pamela Miller, Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Why this matters:
As the UN plastic treaty talks unfold, the authors urge focusing on reducing plastic production and eliminating harmful chemicals, not just for environmental sustainability but for global health and safety, particularly in vulnerable communities. Read more: Ending toxic threats to Alaska from plastics and petrochemicals.
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Credit: Tucker Tangeman/Unsplash
El Niño exacerbates southern Africa's severe drought and hunger crisis
As a severe drought, worsened by El Niño, takes hold of southern Africa, an estimated 20 million people face acute hunger due to failing crops and climbing food prices.
Somini Sengupta and Manuela Andreoni report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The drought has triggered national emergencies in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as agricultural communities grapple with the effects.
- Locals are resorting to desperate measures, such as gathering wild tubers in dangerous waters, to fend off starvation.
- Surging corn prices are exacerbating the crisis, with other factors like the Ukrainian conflict and local economic conditions playing a role.
Key quote:
“It’s really important that resilience to droughts, especially in these parts of the continent, should really be improved.”
— Joyce Kimutai, study author and researcher at the Grantham Institute
Why this matters:
The frequency and intensity of El Niño events may be influenced by climate change, potentially leading to more severe and prolonged impacts. As such, during El Niño years, Southern Africa could face heightened challenges in food production and access, thereby worsening the existing hunger crisis in the region.
Climate change—and the subsequent increase in droughts, flooding, and extreme heat—has held back agricultural gains and impeded global food security efforts.
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