Since 1979, climate change has been a controversial issue spiraling around the major effects of global warming. Long-term effects drastically impact people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds limiting them from attaining the same resources as others who are wealthier and possess a higher level of education. In the United States, the issue has relatively evolved implementing modifications in the food industry, however third world countries do not share the same advantage. As climate change becomes more prominent, it poses a threat to food supply and the accessibility for low-income families to attain it both in third world countries and in the US, limiting natural resources, increasing the gap between social classes, and accelerating food instability.
The disadvantages of climate change brings along highly affects families globally. Usually, low-income families gain all the disadvantages leaving them vulnerable to a poor quality lifestyle. For many centuries, rates of malnutrition have exponentially grown leaving families with little to no access to adequate resources. Food production and its accessibility have been disrupted due to high amounts of CO2 causing global warming. Since 2014, Mercy Crops states, “the number of undernourished people in the world reached nearly 821 million.”As the effects of climate change progress, food scarcity will double, making it harder to provide aid to the world's poorest. Usually, natural resources alleviate the pressure from food industries as demand increases, however, climate change prevents the accessibility to these natural resources. Both agriculture and the ocean account for the vast production of naturally grown aliments, benefiting at least 3 out of 4 individuals living in poverty. The rise in temperature provokes the melting of glaciers, leading to higher sea levels causing floods, extinction of ecosystems, and soil erosion. For example, Australia is known for being one of the biggest food producers but due to the loss and destruction of arable lands, food production has dropped significantly. The excess water also disrupts normal water levels in lakes and rivers leading to more obstruction of roads and flooding in neighboring towns. The increase of natural disasters impedes organisms from adapting to environmental changes, wiping many out and leaving others at the brink of extinction. For individuals already living in poverty specifically those residing in third world countries, would find themselves limited to what's left of natural resources. In such cases, populations residing along the coast who rely on the ocean for resources would be greatly affected,“ as oceans heat up, many fish and shellfish are moving North in search of cooler waters.” This limitation will initiate competition among their communities, sparking desperation and the death of many. Generally, as climate change becomes more severe, lands dependent on food production will not be able to withhold life for long.
My main focus shifts towards the low-income population as the gap between social classes determine the availability of resources. The disruption of a system would be most likely the case, leading to major food insecurity. The long term effects proclaimed by global warming will lead to a dramatic rise in food prices. Anna Mazhirov, discusses the price differences between the years of 2006 to 2008, world prices increasing between 100%-200%, “ 217 percent for rice, 136 percent for wheat, 125 percent for corn.” Price inflation caused by massive droughts led to a price crisis as she mentions, “ led to food riots and political changes.” Food inflation will likely lead to disputes between governments and their inhabitants, urging politicians to take the matter seriously. Although politics is not the main subject here, it serves as a way to broadcast the severity of the problem to the public and allow them to adapt to these transitions. As the weather begins to shift to warmer temperatures, the prices of corn, wheat, and rice will rise by at least “84% by 2050.” Mazhirov’s intensive study suggests, “ that corn prices, adjusted for inflation, will rise 42 to 131 percent by 2050.” Easily accessible crops, such as corn, will gradually become more expensive which will cause conflict to afford it. Those who possess a higher level of education, are prone to be financially stable, allowing them to afford high priced products. However, the effects of climate change are becoming more severe in poor and malnourished communities particularly because the working class considers food budgets a main priority, and the increase in food prices would leave them defenseless without proper provisions. In third world countries, people have little control and understanding of the progression of climate change. Usually, women and children in developing countries are a greater risk of hunger and starvation. William Chutney makes a great point on Hunger Notes by pointing out that mothers often breastfeed their children, he goes on by saying, “ they are more likely to become ill and unable to supply milk to their children.” As mothers, they are required to eat healthily to provide good nutrients to their children, however, this is impacted as food sources shorten. Third world countries such as contribute very little to the development of climate change but they are easily the most targeted. Countries like the US consistently produce higher loads of CO2 and do not consider the effects perpetuating less fortunate communities. Overall climate change encourages the division between income, education level, and social classes, leaving many without proper aid. Countries such as the US have an economic advantage due to its ability to import food from overseas and funding for technological advancements that can be implemented through the food industry.
According to the USDA food security is, “ the ability to obtain and use sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food is a fundamental human need.” Food security revolves around the subject of population growth, equal distribution, and changes in wealth. Without the proper division between these factors, it gives the advantage to many others as previously stated. Food security alters the relationship between consumers and producers, specifically in the US . The US serves as a global system encouraging trade overseas, but without sufficient amounts, they fail to meet demands and imports would be economically affected. Low-income families are vulnerable to suffer from food stability, and many others are worried about falling into the spectrum. Climate change plays a big restriction in attaining food from one specific region that another region wants. The USDA states that “ currently about 805 million people, or about 11% of the global population, are facing chronic undernourishment.” This means that rather than prioritizing existent famine, the problem will worsen. Food instability derives mainly from the lack of financial resources a household contains. However, in developing countries, the problem does not necessarily revolve around the aspect of income, instead, it focuses on the availability of natural resources. The restraint they suffer from having little money and less naturally grown products increases mortality and malnourishment. Individuals residing in third world countries are most likely to be unfamiliar with the issue impeding them from being prepared or having knowledge of what's anticipated. The constant preoccupation of falling victim to social restrictions worries millions of individuals, which makes food insecurity a relevant topic to address.
Others might contradict that people are suffering from food instability due to mass food production. The increase in technology will prevent food scarcity by proposing alternatives that can be implemented through the food industry. Cornell Science for all suggests the modification of sustainable seeds will, “ include traits that confer tolerance to stresses like drought, salinity, pests, and diseases.” These possible breeding techniques will prevent a food catastrophe from arising. They also have the potential to limit carbon production and use less time to produce proactively keeping up with the demand. Although this might seem like an attainable solution, other countries less economically stable don’t have the proper funds to support this desirable result. It is more logical to suggest that sooner or later the issue will be prominent and affect individuals residing both in developed and developing countries. This matter should encourage more public participation to ensure that reachable policies can be set to reduce food scarcity.
Food insecurity has progressively become a substantial affair affecting many unfortunate individuals who don't have the same access to many resources. Although climate change specifically affects low-income families at a bigger level, it will also take a toll on public affairs and the accessibility of goods. The rapid climate shifts, natural disasters, and possible droughts all contribute to massive agricultural transformations. As the population continuously increases, the demand for food production rises, leaving the food industry desperate to keep up with the high requests. It is evident that the issue will worsen, and as it does the effects will too increasing poverty and malnourishment. The predictable effects of climate change will most likely threaten food accessibility and worsen food insecurity among low-income individuals, which takes a toll on the number of natural resources available giving the higher class an advantage to afford higher-priced resources.
