The current world food crisis is the result of the combined effects of competition for cropland from the growth in biofuels, low cereal stocks, high oil prices, speculation in food markets and extreme weather events. The crisis has resulted in a several-fold increase in several central commodity prices, driven 110 million people into poverty and added 44 million more to the already undernourished. Information on the role and constraints of the environment in increasing future food production is urgently needed. While food prices are again declining, they still widely remain above 2004 levels.
Year: 2009
From collection: The Environmental Food Crisis - The Environment's Role in Averting Future Food Crises
Cartographer:
Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal