Stacy Davis-Stanford

 By far, the number one cause of global hunger is poverty[1]. As mentioned in the “poverty basics” page, there is more than enough food produced around the planet to feed everyone nearly 3,000 calories per day; the problem is lack of access. People must be able to either grow or purchase food on a steady basis in order to overcome food insecurity. With out of control growth in the wealth of the top 10%, 1%, and 0.1% people in the world, the poorest of the poor are losing their wealth just as rapidly. This is the “absurd contradiction of capitalism”, as outlined in the graph[2] below. In the US, there are 22 empty houses for every homeless person, we have 46 million citizens without healthcare, and we have food being thrown away by the tons- while millions of children go to bed hungry. [3] Worldwide this pattern is echoed; the richest one-percent own nearly 40% of the world’s wealth, with a total valued higher than the combined wealth of the poorest 95%. [4] With this increasing inequality, it is increasingly difficult for people who are hungry to put food on the table.

This problem is amplified when entire communities are in poverty, leading not only to individual or family food insecurity, but large pockets of hunger and lack of access called “food deserts”. There is a snowball effect that comes into play: the inability of farmers to afford seeds, the inability of grocers to afford produce, increased grain costs which makes raising livestock more expensive; these costs are then passed on to consumers, and the cycle of hunger and poverty continues.

Outside of the issues of poverty and inequality, hunger and food crises are caused by many immediate and concrete factors, which tip the balance in the world’s fragile food systems.

·         Globalization Failure

Because food is so crucial to survival, and so intricately involved in each nation’s quality of life, the globalization which was so successful in electronics, energy, and other goods, has not been successful in food. Large and agriculturally successful countries tend to hoard their own food stores, or charge extravagant export taxes. Another trigger for the global food crisis of 2008 was smaller and more agriculturally dependent nations relying on the effectiveness of globalization, which failed them. Countries like Mauritania were optimistic at the idea of increased worldwide food markets, and therefore let their guards down. They stopped pushing farming and local livestock efforts, and they did away with fixed prices. Many of these nations also had import taxes in place, which were supposed to be a source of income, yet backfired and increased the urgency of food insecurity by discouraging crucial food shipments. [1]

·         Distorted Prices

 There is no worldwide standard for food pricing, so taxes, tariffs, and other import and export fees vary widely nation to nation. These costs also vary over time, sometimes as extreme as day-by-day during times of instability. Add inconsistent and varied farm/livestock subsidies to these already erratic costs, and the world is faced with an incredibly distorted and unpredictable marketplace.

·         Weather and Climate Change

When droughts or other natural disasters occur there is often even more of a massive shift in the global food exchange, triggered by high demand and diminished supply. Climate change and extreme weather is a major cause of hunger and famine.[2]

·         Water and Land Shortages

Water deficits are one of the most prominent factors in droughts and food shortages. The worst famines in history were almost all triggered by lack of adequate water.  Grain requires a large amount of water to grow; livestock require large amounts of grain to live—it is a cycle that feeds upon itself. [3]

Land deficits occur in a similar cycle: farming leads to soil exhaustion (over-harvesting and draining of natural minerals necessary for fertility), which leads to declines in harvests.

Water and land shortages are chronic issues in many nations around the world. India, China, many countries in the Middle East, and the US, are all experiencing water deficits already. Out of the three billion person population boom projected in the next few decades, more than 75% are expected to be born in nations already experiencing extreme water shortages.

Land degradation is equally concerning when looking ahead; if the current trends continue Africa may be able to feed just 25% of the continent’s own population by 2025. [4]