World Hunger Introduction Sources: The State of Food Insecurity 2011 (FAO) World Hunger Education Service 2011 Growing a Better Future 2011 (Oxfam) The World Food Problem (2009, Leathers and Foster)

World Hunger Facts Worldwide, about 1 billion people are undernourished Don’t get enough calories each day –Susceptible to illness –Unable to lead productive lives Chronic undernourishment –Due to extreme poverty

Undernourishment

World Hunger Spike: Since 2008 Poorest cannot afford food –Food prices up Increased demand from emerging countries –Economic development Population increase Biofuels production Reduced crop production –Climate change –Recession

Rising Food Prices

World Hunger Facts Over 20,000 people die each day due to causes related to undernutrition ¾ of these are children under the age of 5 –About 6 million/year

Undernutrition and Child Death ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/a0200e/a0199e.pdf

Common Scenario Mother –Poorly educated –Food is scarce –Several children Youngest child –undernourished –Disease resistance low –Drinks unsanitary water –Develops diarrhea –Loses interest in eating

Common Scenario Mother removes solids from child’s diet –Not enough nourishment to fight disease –Diarrhea continues Mother removes liquids –Dehydration –Death

Malnutrition Cycle

Importance of Maternal Health 1 in 6 babies in developing countries have low birthweight

Causes of Hunger Poverty –2.3 billion people earn less than $2/day

Causes of Hunger Extreme Poverty –1.3 Billion people earn less than $1.25/day –75% of these live in rural areas many unable to own land –Worst in Sub-Saharan Africa

Extreme Poverty Percentage who earn less than $1.25/day

Causes of Hunger Harmful Economic Systems –Control over incomes and resources by Military Wealthy Politically powerful Conflicts

Where are the Undernourished?

World Hunger Map img/map_world.jpg

Sachs, J. 2005, The End of Poverty; Economic Possibilities for Our Time.

Worldwide life expectancy

Side effects of Hunger and Poverty ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/a0200e/a0199e.pdf

Population Pressure World Population has doubled in 40 years –Most of increase in developing countries 5 billion people Poverty and economic insecurity result in population growth –Children are a source of wealth to the poor 20to% JPG

Hope: Demographic Transition Example: U.S. History –When U.S. became industrial, fewer kids/family needed Lowered infant mortality No need to rely on children’s labor More opportunities for women Happened without birth control

Agricultural Revolution Hunters & Gatherers Agriculture Population Growth Technology Conquest for land Food production Culture Expanding population & environmental destruction

Effect of the Agricultural Revolution Elite Conquered & Exploited: Peasants, Slaves, Workers Wealth, Tribute Food, Resources Wealth: Own land, Well-fed Educated, Health care, Opportunities Poverty: Landless, hungry, uneducated, unhealthy, no opportunities

Effect of the Industrial Revolution Sachs, J. 2005, The End of Poverty; Economic Possibilities for Our Time.

Issues Nutrition Food Security Agriculture Environment Technology Education Culture Development Ethics &imgrefurl= 1&hl=en&start=15&tbnid=svh3od2uZpp9bM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq %3Dfeed%2Bthe%2Bworld%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8

Ethics Is hunger and poverty morally acceptable? Why or why not? What should we do?