Recent data from the United Nations reveals a troubling reality: one in 11 people worldwide went hungry last year, with one in three struggling to afford a healthy diet. These statistics highlight the challenges governments face in eradicating hunger and expanding food access. The interplay between hunger, food insecurity, and climate change is increasingly evident, with global crises exacerbating the situation.
The link between a warming world and food access was emphasized by Máximo Torero Cullen, chief economist of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Climate change poses risks and uncertainties to the agrifood system, leading to human rights issues as food scarcity grows. The FAO report indicates that climate change, along with conflict, has the greatest impact on global hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
The numbers are staggering – in 2020, approximately 733 million people experienced hunger, with 152 million more facing chronic undernourishment compared to 2019. Climate change contributes to food insecurity through disruptions in food production, disease spread, and migration due to environmental disasters.
Efforts to address these challenges require coordinated action from governments, NGOs, and the private sector. Without effective intervention, vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, will suffer the consequences of inaction. A universal approach to financing food security and nutrition is essential to combat hunger and mitigate climate-related shocks.
Despite global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, experts caution that unrealistic targets may hinder progress. Chief of nutrition for UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, highlights the urgent need for collaboration to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition. The impact of climate change on food security serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
