Food Security (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management)

Revision Note

Alistair Marjot

Written by: Alistair Marjot

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Causes of Food Insecurity

  • Food security can be defined as when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life

  • Food insecurity (i.e. a lack of food security) remains a pressing global issue, impacting millions of individuals and communities worldwide:

    • Understanding the underlying causes and threats to food security is essential for creating effective solutions to address this complex challenge

What are the causes of food insecurity?

  • Population growth:

    • Rapid population growth places increased pressure on food systems, leading to greater demand for food resources

    • As populations expand, there is a heightened need for sustainable agricultural practices to meet growing food needs

  • Unsustainable production and homogeneity in global food supply:

    • Intensive farming practices and monoculture crops contribute to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and reduced resilience in food systems

    • Dependence on a limited number of crops for global food supply increases vulnerability to crop failures and pests

  • Price setting:

    • Fluctuations in food prices, influenced by factors such as supply and demand dynamics, market speculation and trade policies, can lead to affordability challenges for vulnerable populations

    • Price volatility affects access to healthy, nutritious foods, increasing food insecurity

  • Land degradation:

    • Soil erosion, deforestation and unsustainable land management practices degrade arable land, diminishing its productivity and limiting agricultural output over time

    • Land degradation reduces the availability of fertile land for cultivation, contributing to food insecurity

  • Agricultural diseases:

    • Outbreaks of plant and animal diseases, such as crop pests, livestock infections and pathogens, pose significant threats to agricultural production

    • Disease outbreaks can devastate crops and livestock populations, disrupting food supply chains and leading to shortages

  • Diverting crops for biofuels:

    • The diversion of food crops for biofuel production reduces the availability of agricultural resources for food production

    • Competition between food and fuel crops can drive up food prices and exacerbate food insecurity, particularly in regions reliant on imported food

  • Climate change:

    • Changing climatic patterns, including extreme weather events, droughts, floods and temperature variations, disrupt agricultural systems and food production

    • Climate-induced crop failures, water scarcity, and ecosystem shifts threaten food security, particularly in already vulnerable regions

  • Water shortages:

    • Limited access to clean water for irrigation and agricultural purposes hinders agricultural productivity and food production

    • Water scarcity exacerbates food insecurity, affecting crop yields, livestock health and food-processing activities

  • Poverty:

    • Poverty is a fundamental driver of food insecurity, as low-income households often lack the financial resources to access an adequate and nutritious diet

    • Economic disparities, unemployment and income inequality contribute to food insecurity, perpetuating cycles of poverty and hunger

Impacts of Food Insecurity

  • Food insecurity has far-reaching consequences, affecting individuals, communities and entire regions worldwide

    • Understanding the many impacts of food insecurity is crucial for addressing its root causes and implementing effective solutions

What are the impacts of food insecurity?

  • Regional food scarcity:

    • Food insecurity leads to regional shortages of food supplies, particularly in areas with limited agricultural productivity or disrupted food distribution networks

    • Scarce food resources increase hunger and malnutrition, impacting vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women and the elderly

  • Nutritional deficiency and malnutrition:

    • Inadequate access to nutritious foods contributes to nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition, particularly among populations facing food insecurity

    • Malnutrition can manifest as stunted growth, micronutrient deficiencies (e.g. deficiencies in iron, vitamin A) and impaired cognitive development, leading to long-term health consequences

  • Poverty:

    • Food insecurity perpetuates cycles of poverty, as households struggle to afford adequate and nutritious food

    • Spending a significant portion of income on food leaves little for other essential needs, such as healthcare, education and housing, further entrenching poverty

  • Forced migration:

    • Food insecurity can drive forced migration, as individuals and communities seek food and livelihood opportunities in regions with greater food security

    • Environmental degradation, conflict and economic instability contribute to displacement of human populations:

      • This can put a strain on resources in host communities (i.e. the places where people immigrate to)

  • Conflict:

    • Food insecurity is often driven by a range of political, social, and economic factors surrounding conflicts over scarce resources, land and water

    • Competition for food resources can escalate tensions and fuel instability, leading to social unrest, violence and displacement of populations

  • Famine:

    • Severe food shortages and widespread hunger can escalate into famines, characterised by acute food crises and high mortality rates

    • Famine conditions result from a combination of factors, including crop failures, inadequate humanitarian assistance and political barriers to food distribution

  • Death:

    • Food insecurity and famine contribute to increased mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions

    • Lack of access to adequate food and nutrition leads to weakened immune systems, susceptibility to diseases and premature death, exacerbating the humanitarian toll of food insecurity

Case Study

Yemen

  • Located on the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula

Map showing the location of Yemen
Location of Yemen
  • Yemen has a mainly hot desert climate with a temperate climate in the western mountains

  • In summer months temperatures reach 40℃ and there is little rainfall

  • Winter months are cooler between 25-35℃ but with little rainfall

Agriculture

  • There is increasing agricultural activity in Yemen with crops including:

    • Millet

    • Corn

    • Wheat

    • Barley

    • Sorghum

  • Other crops include coffee, cotton and fruit, which were grown for export

  • Over 73% of the population relies on agriculture as their main source of income

Causes of food shortages

  • Conflict:

    • In 2015 after years of internal conflict, civil war broke out

    • Continued conflicts have led over 4 million Yemenis to be displaced

    • Food aid supplies have been affected by blockades at the ports intended to stop weapons entering the country

    • Internal infrastructure (roads, airports and communication) has also been affected by the conflict, which stops the movement of food around the country

  • Drought:

    • In recent years drought has further affected supplies 

    • The main crop growing areas have received only one third to a half of the usual precipitation

  • Pests:

    • In 2019 swarms of locust hit Yemen, destroying many of the crops

    • The conflict had affected the control and monitoring program

    • Lack of pesticides meant that the Yemeni struggled to control the insects

  • Corruption:

    • Food aid is taken by those involved in the fighting and those in power

    • It often does not reach those who need it most

  • Population increase:

    • The population has increased to almost 30 million from 26.5 million in 2015 

    • This increases the demand for food

Effects of food shortages

  • The Yemeni economy has declined

  • These issues have mostly happened in the crop growing areas in the south-west

  • In 2016 it is estimated that farm produce losses totalled US$964.5 million

  • Yemen became dependent on imports for 90% of its grain supplies - much of this was from Ukraine, the supply of which has been affected by the Russian invasion

  • More than 80% of the population live below the poverty line

  • 50% of the population working in agriculture have lost their jobs

  • Food prices have increased between 30-70% meaning people cannot afford a healthy diet

Graph showing food basket prices in Yemen in 2020
Food basket price in Yemen 
  • The UN estimates more than 226 000 Yemeni have died due to food shortages and lack of health services

  • Acute malnutrition now threatens over 50% of children under 5

  • The total number of food insecure population is expected to reach 19 million by the end of 2022

Solutions

  • Since the start of the conflict billions in aid has been sent to Yemen through organisations such as:

    • UNICEF 

    • Red Cross

    • World Food Program

    • Oxfam

  • Getting aid to the people who need it is challenging for the reasons outlined in "causes" above

  • The World Food Program provides 13 million people with food assistance through:

    • Rations

    • Vouchers

    • Cash transfers

  • Until the end of the conflict the food shortages are likely to continue and may even get worse

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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Bridgette Barrett

Author: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.