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by Aura Amstell - Thursday, 17 October 2024, 9:03 PM
Number of replies: 2
Climate changes, The Russia-Ukrainian War, The Pandemic COVID-19, Farming, International Trades, and Poverty are complex topics when we talked about food insecurity and world hungry. Food insecurity refers to hunger due to a lack of food or the lack of a reliable food sources. People who are food insecure also commonly experience financial, housing, and job insecurity.

Climate changes is one of the most important factors that can affect food security. Increased temperature, hurricanes, precipitation patterns, in sum, extremes weathers events can disrupt and reduce access to food interchange, productions, and harvesting.

The Russia-Ukrainian war has caused a negative impact in the trade of food fertilizer, and the wheat production has experienced a shortage, since Ukrainian farms has been destroyed by the war in that region.

The pandemic COVID 19 has brought up a disruption in a supply chain and how people make and manage businesses, mostly virtually, increasing the price of goods and food around the world. For example, in USA, during the Covid-19 pandemic, many individuals and families who are not normally food insecure found themselves struggling with food insecurity due to unemployment since many businesses closed. This was also a major issue for children who depended on school meals since schools were closed.

Farming is affected, year-round, by floods and droughts which can destroy crops, reduce crops health and quality, and cause lower yields. Therefore, causing local food shortages.

International Trades are a great tool for rich countries and rich companies. On the other hand, can put small business, such as agricultural farmers, out of business for lack of competitive technologies, and laborers.

Poverty and food insecurity goes hand by hand. The lack of programs and equal distribution of monetary resources are a great burden for many around the world. For example, poverty is a common problem among college students who similarly have to choose between paying for college and paying bills (mortgage, rent, and utilities), which leaves them with little money to pay for food or nutritious food.

Answer 1

Hi Aura,

Thank you for your insightful thoughts on the multifaceted issue of food insecurity. You’ve done an excellent job highlighting how interlinked various global challenges are, particularly how climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and economic disparities all contribute to this complex problem.

I agree with you that climate change plays a significant role in altering agricultural productivity, which in turn affects food supply. The impact of severe weather events cannot be underestimated, as they disrupt not just production but also distribution channels, leading to increased prices and scarcity.

The situation created by the Russia-Ukraine war certainly underscores how conflict can have ripple effects on global food supply chains, especially with key staples like wheat. It’s alarming to think about how many families depend on this grain and how the war has widened the gap between those with access to food and those without.

You rightly highlighted the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in exacerbating food insecurity, especially for vulnerable populations. The closure of schools not only affected education but also removed a crucial source of meals for many children, illustrating how interconnected our systems are.

Your point about international trade is also noteworthy; while it can create opportunities for wealthier nations, it often places small-scale farmers at a disadvantage. There needs to be a broader conversation about fair trade practices and the support systems necessary for local producers to thrive in a global market.

Lastly, the link between poverty and food insecurity is a critical issue that we must address. As you pointed out, many college students face tough choices between education and basic living expenses. This highlights the need for systemic change to create more equitable access to resources and support.

Thanks for shedding light on this important topic! It’s crucial that we continue to advocate for policies that will promote food security and well-being for all.

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