Food security

The G-20 agricultural agenda: Agricultural productivity growth in a vacuum

When the Heads of State of the G-20 countries meet in Los Cabos, Mexico on June 18–19, they will have plenty to discuss—not least, the fragile global economy and the instability of international finance. Food security is on their agenda as well.

A new day for food aid

Today, a new multilateral Food Assistance Convention (FAC) is available for signature. Thirty-four counties and the European Union will be eligible to sign the convention (countries must be food aid donors to sign).

The Surprising Effect of Agriculture on Rising Sea Levels

Efforts to meet freshwater demand by harnessing “fossil” groundwater contributes more to rising sea levels than melting glaciers.

Industrial Agriculture and the Raising Sea: Do We Have to Choose Between the Devil and the Deep Sea?

Earlier this week, The Guardian reported on a study that looked at rising sea levels from a new angle.

G-8 punts on food security-to the private sector

The G-8 met this past the weekend in the United States. Three years earlier the group of the most powerful industrialized nations met in L’Aquila, Italy, just as food-price spikes were sending millions into poverty.

Is your retirement fund a land-grabber?

The global scramble for land and resources has a big new player, and if you’re a teacher or work for a nonprofit, it might be you.

Draft report on food security and climate change falls short

Climate change will have significant impacts on world food security in our lifetimes. Indeed, we have already begun to feel the impacts from extreme events—droughts, heat waves, torrential rains leading to floods, with consequent impacts on crop production in Russia, Texas and the U.S. Midwest, Pakistan, Thailand, to name a few recent high-profile locations.

Defending UNCTAD’s role in agriculture and food security

Letter to the High-level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on Food Security and Nutrition regarding the HLPE draft report on climate change

Dear Members of the HLPE,

Local Foods, Global: Food Aid and the Farm Bill

The U.S. food aid program is hugely important at the global level. At $2.3 billion in 2010, the U.S. provides just over half of emergency food aid deliveries to millions of beneficiaries around the world suffering from famine, natural disaster and conflict.1 There is little doubt that food aid has saved countless lives, but with significant improvements, it could save countless more.