The United Nations has warned that 2008’s food shortage could foreshadow an even bigger crisis to come, with food prices expected to rise substantially as production fails to meet demand.
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According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s latest report, The Environmental Food Crises, food prices could increase by 30-50% “within decades” as up to 25% of the world’s food production could be lost due to “environmental breakdowns” by 2050.
“A lot of the factors contributing to today’s food shortages are expected to get a lot worse,” a UNEP spokesperson told just-food. “These include drought, depletion of grain stocks, high oil prices, biofuels and speculation in food stocks.”
According to the study, climate change is likely to be a key factor undermining food production, with water shortages and the spread of pests threatening future yields.
The study calls for a re-examination of the way food is produced, handled and disposed of globally.
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By GlobalDataThe UNEP called on governments meeting at the upcoming UN climate convention in Copenhagen to agree a “deep and decisive” new global deal.
“We need a Green revolution in a Green Economy but one with a capital G”, said UN under-secretary-general and UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.
“We need to deal with not only the way the world produces food but the way it is distributed, sold and consumed, and we need a revolution that can boost yields by working with rather than against nature.”
