Frequent and recurring climate shocks continue to drive acute hunger around the world. As a report released this month by The Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme warns, we have entered a ‘new normal’ where droughts, flooding, hurricanes, and cyclones repeatedly decimate farming and livestock, displace people and push millions to the brink of starvation. Combined with the fallout from COVID-19, rising geopolitical tensions, growing public debt burdens and now the Ukraine war, global agriculture is facing a ‘perfect storm’. At the UN's Economic and Social Council meeting in New York last week, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the world urgently needed new approaches and policies, commensurate with the obstacles faced. “This must be done with a sense of urgency and scale to get ahead of the crises,” he said. The good news is scientists, technology start-ups and large food corporations are finding new ways to disrupt traditional food systems and supply chains — for many, the impending crisis offers an opportunity. From 3D-printed meat to genetically edited crops and cows, new technologies offer hope of sustainably feeding a global population predicted to rise from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2050. But are recent advances being over-hyped in the rush towards ever-more sophisticated technologies? The history of agricultural modernisation suggests increased productivity carries potential risks. The negative effect of climate on food systems is nothing new. Indigenous cultures have lived in variable climatic conditions for centuries and can offer important lessons. Either way, increasing food production in ways that respect human well-being and the environment presents an enormous challenge. 360info is looking at potential solutions in this Special Report, released as part of Covering Climate Now’s Food & Water joint coverage week.
REALITY CHECK
Human-induced global warming trends since 1961 have slowed the growth of agricultural productivity by 21 percent. Without urgent action on climate change, an additional 100 million people in Africa could be pulled into extreme poverty in the next eight seasons – that is more than 10 million people every year to 2030. Two-thirds of the 740 million people living in extreme poverty are agricultural workers and their dependents. Underinvested, inequitable food and land use systems consign many to lives of constant insecurity. Transforming food systems could help release back the US$12 trillion the world spends on the hidden cost of food.
BIG IDEAS
Quote attributable to Élisabeth Abergel, Université du Québec à Montréal: “Meat from gene edited animals is on the horizon. Gene editing promises to be cheaper than GM technology and faster than conventional breeding.”
Quote attributable to Aaron Staples, University of Michigan: “There is recent evidence that some consumers are willing to pay a premium for beer produced using sustainable techniques, particularly for targeting water sustainability practices.”
Quote attributable to Rabiya Abassi, University of Alberta: “Agriculture is in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution. And in the face of rising populations and a changing climate policymakers are paying attention.”
Quote attributable to Agustin Zsögön, Federal University of Viçosa: “With Ukraine and Russia among the world’s largest exporters of maize and wheat, global food security is under threat. Even if trade is restored, an overreliance on so few species remains our achilles heel.”
Quote attributable to Anitra Nelson, University of Melbourne: “Degrowth is moving policymakers and attracting attention from all those keen to curb carbon emissions and live sustainably.”
PERSPECTIVES
Trouble is brewing for the future of beer Aaron Staples, University of Michigan, USA Brewers are pursuing solutions to reduce water usage, encourage more sustainable farming, limit material use, and power facilities with clean energy.
Lab-grown answers to food’s triple threat Élisabeth Abergel, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada A food crisis like few have ever seen could be the impetus for lab-grown and other food alternatives to thrive. But it won’t be without its own challenges.
How Inca wisdom can solve food insecurity Agustin Zsögön, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil The world currently has only 10 weeks of wheat supplies left, a far cry from the three to seven years of food supply the Incas kept in storage.
When local matters, quality improves Anitra Nelson, University of Melbourne, Australia Degrowth focuses on quality products, local economies and basic needs. It promises a more ecologically sustainable future.
Indonesia's farmers adapt to climate change Subejo, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia Indonesia’s rice consumption is one of the largest in the world and mostly goes wasted. Lack of climate adaptation slows unnecessary rice import dependency.
Agriculture 4.0 is helping farmers do more with less Rabiya Abassi, University of Alberta, Canada The fourth agricultural revolution promises to grow more food on less land while feeding more people.
No one's betting the farm on robots Daniel Casagrande, Universidad de O'Higgins, Chile Robots can help farmers improve crop yields and ease labour shortages but their adoption has been dramatically low.
Extinction on our plates Quentin Read, North Carolina State University Reducing the biodiversity footprint of food consumption requires immediate and widespread action.
