Climate change exacerbates global hunger crisis

One in 11 people experienced hunger last year, with climate change playing a major role.

Ayurella Horn-Muller reports for Grist.

In short:

• A United Nations report reveals that climate change and conflict are major drivers of global hunger and food insecurity.
• In 2023, 733 million people went hungry, with significant increases in chronic undernourishment since 2019.
• Extreme weather events and migration due to climate change disrupt food production and supply chains, worsening food insecurity.

Key quote:

“The agrifood system is working under risk and uncertainties, and these risks and uncertainties are being accelerated because of climate [change] and the frequency of climate events.”

— Máximo Torero Cullen, chief economist of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization

Why this matters:

Global hunger and food insecurity threaten human rights and economic stability, particularly in low-income nations. Without climate action, these issues will worsen, fueling more migration and conflict.