hunger
Newsletter
Climate change exacerbates global hunger crisis
One in 11 people experienced hunger last year, with climate change playing a major role.
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.
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The people who supply food in America are facing hunger
Climate change and rising costs are forcing many farmworkers in the U.S. to struggle with food insecurity.
In short:
- Farmworkers like Rosa Morales face extreme heat, low wages, and lack of protection while working.
- Rising food prices and decreased crop yields due to climate change worsen their financial strain.
- Many farmworkers are ineligible for federal aid, leading to reliance on community gardens and food pantries.
Key quote:
“When we talk about supply chains and food prices going up, we are not thinking about the people who are producing that food, or getting it off the fields and onto our plates.”
— Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Why this matters:
Farmworkers, who are already among the lowest-paid laborers in the country, are bearing the brunt of climate-driven disasters and inflation. Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves are reducing crop yields and disrupting work schedules. This not only diminishes their earnings but also exacerbates the physical strain of their jobs. The rising costs of living, driven by inflation, are stretching their already thin budgets to the breaking point.
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Newsletter
Hurricane Beryl intensifies Texas hunger crisis
Hurricane Beryl's devastation in southeastern Texas has deepened hunger issues, leaving many without power and spoiling food supplies.
In short:
- The hurricane caused $3.3 billion in damage and claimed at least 20 lives.
- Ongoing power outages and heat waves worsen food spoilage, increasing food insecurity.
- Relief efforts include deploying refrigerated trucks and emergency SNAP benefits.
Key quote:
“There are immediate needs that happen because of the storm. ‘I don’t have power. What am I going to cook?’”
— Brian Greene, president of Houston Food Bank
Why this matters:
Power outages and food spoilage exacerbate existing food insecurity, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. Emergency relief provides short-term help but doesn't solve underlying hunger issues.
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Newsletter
Severe drought in Zambia risks widespread hunger and economic collapse
Zambia's environment minister has warned that a severe drought is causing widespread hunger, prolonged power outages, and economic disruption, highlighting the broader regional impacts of climate change.
In short:
- Zambia faces severe drought leading to major crop failures, particularly in maize, resulting in imminent food shortages.
- The country’s hydroelectric power capacity is halved, causing frequent and extended power cuts.
- Zambia is diversifying crops and seeking international financial aid to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis.
Key quote:
"What has happened this year is that we received well below the normal rainfall. This has been a crippling drought."
— Collins Nzovu, Zambia's environment minister
Why this matters:
The drought in Zambia serves as a stark warning of the escalating impacts of climate change on vulnerable regions. The drought has decimated crops, leaving many families struggling to find enough to eat. With less water flowing into hydroelectric dams, the country is also facing persistent power cuts, which are disrupting daily life and crippling industries. The economic fallout is profound, affecting everything from agriculture to manufacturing and services.
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Newsletter
El Niño-triggered drought leads to severe hunger in southern Africa
A devastating drought driven by the El Niño weather pattern has led to widespread crop failure in Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, resulting in severe food shortages and national emergency declarations.
Jenipher Changwanda and Freddie Clayton report for Yale Environment 360.
In short:
- Southern Africa experienced its worst mid-season dry spell in over a century, drastically reducing maize harvests.
- Food prices in some drought-affected areas have increased by up to 82%, and more than 18 million people now need urgent humanitarian assistance.
- Efforts to adapt with climate-smart farming techniques have had limited success against extreme weather conditions.
Key quote:
“I cannot remember anything like this. People are so hungry they are stealing food ... If we survive until the next harvest, it will be by the grace of God.”
— Esnart Chongani, Zambian farmer
Why this matters:
Climate change is likely making extreme weather events like El Niño more severe, increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts. The current El Niño, a periodic climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, has significantly disrupted weather patterns globally. In Southern Africa, this has manifested in prolonged dry spells and intense heat, crippling agricultural production in regions heavily reliant on rainfall for farming. As global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events are likely to increase.
Opinion: The case for a child-centered energy and climate policy
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Top Story
The world now has a roadmap for food and climate. But it's missing a few things
The first-of-its-kind proposal aims to ease hunger while keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Critics say it doesn't go far enough.
UN sets out roadmap to combat global hunger amid climate crisis
Targets include cutting methane emissions from livestock by 25%, halving food waste and managing fisheries sustainably by 2030.
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