Globally Responsible
Careers in STEM
Issues
Poverty and hunger- Public investment in sustainable agriculture can help reduce hunger and poverty and enhance productivity, however the investment in agriculture, compared to its contribution to the economy, is on the decline. Rising food prices is another problem influencing hunger, particularly in less developed countries.
- It is vital that nutrition is improved, and that sustainable agriculture is promoted and encouraged. There are many implications of the climate crisis on food and hunger, such as soil degradation, water shortages and pollution, and changing climates affecting crops, and in many places, people may be forced to relocate.
- Globally it is important to improve food security (food security is a measure of the availability of food and individuals' ability to access it), with food insecurity having risen from 23.2% of the population affected by either moderate or severe food insecurity in 2014 to 26.4% in 2018 [1].
- Developing countries already struggle with lack of infrastructure, and fewer resources, all hindering their ability to adapt. These countries are dependent on existing resources to tackle high rates of poverty and income inequality, both of which will be intensified with climate change.
- Disasters, including natural disasters that are exaggerated by climate change, exacerbate poverty. Public funds that could have originally been used towards, for example education, will now have to fund adaptations such as sea walls, increased irrigation, or storm water systems to tackle the effects of climate change.
[1] Data taken from United Nations ‘Transforming Our World - The 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development’
Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org)
21252030 Agenda for Sustainable Development web.pdf (un.org)
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SGR, Globally Responsible Careers 2021