The United Nations (UN) has hired you as a consultant, and your task is to assess the impact that global warming is expected to have on population growth and the ability of societies in the developing world to ensure the adequate security of their food supplies.
Case Assessment
As the world’s population nears 10 billion by 2050, the effects of global warming are stripping some natural resources from the environment. As they diminish in number, developing countries will face mounting obstacles to improving the livelihoods of their citizens and stabilizing their access to enough food. The reason these governments are struggling even now is that our climate influences their economic health and the consequent diminishing living standards of their people. Climate changes are responsible for the current loss of biodiversity as well as the physical access to some critical farming regions. As such, these changes in global weather patterns diminish agricultural output and the distribution of food to local and international markets. These difficulties will become even more significant for these countries as the Earth’s climate changes for the worse. Temperatures are already increasing incrementally, and polar ice caps are melting, so the salient question is: what does this suggest for developing societies?
The issue before the developing world is not its lack of food, but rather how to gain access to food. Simply put, changes in our climate are affecting the global food chain, and hence, the living standards of entire populations. Added to this is the fact that food is not getting to where it is needed in time to prevent hunger or starvation. In many developing countries, shortages are due to governments’ control over distribution networks rather than an insufficient supply of food itself. In effect, these governments are weaponizing food by favoring certain ethnic or religious groups over others. When added to the dramatic climate changes that we are experiencing even now, the future for billions of poor people looks increasingly dim.
Instructions
You are to write a minimum of a 5-page persuasive paper for the UN that addresses the following questions about the relationship between atmospheric weather patterns and food security in the developing world:
Climate change and global warming are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same phenomenon. What are the differences between the two concepts and what leads to the confusion between them?
In 1900, the average global temperature was about 13.7° Celsius (56.7° Fahrenheit) (Osborn, 2021), but as of 2020, the temperature has risen another 1.2°C to 14.9°C (58.9°F). According to the Earth and climate science community, if the Earth’s surface temperature rises another 2°C (3.6°F), we will suffer catastrophic weather patterns that, among other things, will raise sea levels, cause widespread droughts and wildfires, result in plant, insect, and animal extinctions, and reduce agricultural productivity throughout the world (Mastroianni, 2015 and Lindsey & Dahlman, 2020). How much credibility do you place in these projections? Why?
There is no question that the Earth’s food sources are threatened by changes in its weather patterns, but what specific challenges does climate change pose to the food security of people in the developing world?
There is currently a debate among some multinational lending agencies like the International Monetary Fund, UNICEF, and AID over the financial support for food security that has been misused by recipient government officials. On the other hand, U.S. authorities insist that misuse of its assistance is not occurring because it has strict monitoring oversight in place. What is your position on this matter? Is there evidence that financial assistance to developing governments is being widely misused by government officials?
Climate Change, Global Warming, and Food Security in the Developing World
Introduction
The world is facing a number of serious challenges, including climate change, global warming, and food security. These challenges are interconnected and pose a significant threat to the well-being of people around the world, especially those in the developing world.
Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate change and global warming are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, while global warming refers to the rise in the average global temperature.
The Earth’s climate has changed throughout history, but the current rate of climate change is unprecedented. This is due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing the planet to warm.
The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world. We are seeing more extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events are causing widespread damage and loss of life.
Global Warming and Food Security
Climate change is having a significant impact on food security in the developing world. In many developing countries, agriculture is the primary source of food and income. However, climate change is making it more difficult for farmers to grow crops.
Droughts and floods are destroying crops and livestock. Rising sea levels are inundating coastal areas, making it difficult to grow crops and threatening freshwater supplies. Extreme heat is also making it difficult for crops to grow.
As a result of climate change, food prices are rising in developing countries. This is making it difficult for people to afford food, and is leading to hunger and malnutrition.
The Misuse of Financial Assistance for Food Security
There is currently a debate among some multinational lending agencies over the financial support for food security that has been misused by recipient government officials. On the other hand, U.S. authorities insist that misuse of its assistance is not occurring because it has strict monitoring oversight in place.
There is evidence that financial assistance to developing governments is being widely misused by government officials. For example, a study by the World Bank found that up to 20% of food aid in developing countries is being diverted to other uses, such as paying government salaries or funding military operations.
This misuse of financial assistance is a major obstacle to food security in the developing world. It is important for multinational lending agencies to take steps to ensure that financial assistance for food security is not being misused.
Conclusion
Climate change, global warming, and food security are all interconnected challenges that are facing the world today. These challenges are having a significant impact on the developing world, where the most vulnerable people are disproportionately affected.
It is important to take action to address these challenges. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. We also need to invest in sustainable agriculture and food security programs in the developing world.
By taking action now, we can help to protect the most vulnerable people from the effects of climate change and ensure that everyone has access to food.