Shortage of food supplies
- Insufficient available food
Nature
The shortage of food supplies refers to a significant and persistent lack of adequate food resources to meet the nutritional needs of a population. This issue can arise from various factors, including natural disasters, climate change, economic instability, and supply chain disruptions. Food shortages can lead to malnutrition, increased food prices, and social unrest, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Addressing this problem requires coordinated efforts in agricultural practices, sustainable resource management, and equitable distribution systems to ensure food security and access for all individuals, thereby promoting health and stability within societies.
Incidence
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, as of 2022, up to 828 million people worldwide were affected by hunger, with acute food shortages most prevalent in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and parts of Latin America. Conflict, climate extremes, and economic shocks have contributed to a rising trend in food insecurity, with the number of undernourished people increasing by over 150 million since 2019.
In 2017, Yemen experienced a severe shortage of food supplies due to ongoing conflict and blockade, leading to what the United Nations described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with millions facing famine conditions.
In 2017, Yemen experienced a severe shortage of food supplies due to ongoing conflict and blockade, leading to what the United Nations described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with millions facing famine conditions.
Claim
Never before have humans changed the Earth’s climate while producing nearly a billion starving people as half the food we grow spoils in waste.
Counter-claim
The notion of a food supply shortage is overstated and often sensationalized. With advancements in agriculture, technology, and global trade, food production has never been more efficient. The real issue lies in distribution and waste, not scarcity. Focusing on perceived shortages distracts from addressing systemic inefficiencies and mismanagement. Instead of panicking over food supplies, we should prioritize improving logistics and reducing waste to ensure everyone has access to the food that is already available.
Broader
Aggravated by
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(B) Basic universal problems
Biological classification
N/A
Content quality
Unpresentable
Language
English
D7NID
189064
Last update
Oct 4, 2020
Official link