Wildfires are getting worse each year, and 2024 has been especially tough on farmers and food production. The damage is massive, and the ripple effects on the global food supply are concerning. I’ve looked into how this situation is unfolding and what it might mean for our future.

Wildfires in 2024: A devastating impact on farmers and food production

What steps do you think we should take to safeguard agriculture from these increasing threats?

https://preview.redd.it/mhxn4v0gi6kd1.jpg?width=1130&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=396adb3aeed33695815ee9a1fd787232888ecb72

Amidst the complex geopolitical landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the deliberate obstruction of food aid and the manufacturing of famine in Gaza by Israel creates an atrocious violation of human rights, perpetuating a cycle of suffering and deprivation that undermines the fundamental dignity and well-being of the Palestinian people, defying international humanitarian law and demanding urgent attention and accountability from the global community. Palestinian food insecurity has reached a record high in the past 7 months of the conflict in Gaza. Manufactured famine is a breach in food sovereignty and food security, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians starving, with no idea of where their next meal will come from. The deliberate obstruction of food by the Israeli government not only exacerbates the suffering of vulnerable populations but also raises serious concerns about potential violations of international law. The disproportionality present within the conflict constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, we can no longer call this conflict a war.

For all of Palestine’s modern history, predating the 1900s and continuing to this day, hunger and famine have been huge proponents in the struggle for equal rights in the nation. The British conquered Palestine in 1918, and began implementing unjust laws targeting Palestinians (Darr et al 2022). The 1948 Nakba was the forced expulsion and ethnic cleansing in their home country of Palestine by the Zionist movement (Masalha 2012). This event destroyed Palestinian society, crashed their economy, and set them up to be perpetually food insecure. 

The colonization of Palestine, the Nakba, and the continuance of blockages are the reasons Palestinians are not in charge of their own food system and rely on outside aid from either Israel or other donor nations, and have since well before the current ongoing genocide. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) describes the Palestinian food system as a “chronic humanitarian crisis” (United Nations), and even before the genocide, 64% of all Palestinians experienced food insecurity. 

Palestinian food insecurity is a direct result of political decisions and military actions that for decades have prioritized control and domination over the well-being of the civilian population. Lack of sovereignty over one’s own food perpetuates a reliance on outside factors, stripping away the right to culturally significant food. Israel’s acts of food and supply blockage have led to the collapse of Gaza’s economy, and cause Palestinian farmers to struggle to produce significant yields. 

Addressing the root causes of food insecurity in Gaza requires lifting the blockade, ensuring unrestricted access to humanitarian aid and essential goods, and promoting sustainable development initiatives that empower communities and enhance food security. Additionally, accountability measures must be implemented to hold those responsible for the manufactured crisis accountable and prevent further harm to the people of Gaza. 

When Palestine was first colonized by the British government in the early 1900s, prison-like conditions and punishments were put into place and mass incarceration ensued; “Shortly after the British conquered the area of Palestine in 1918, they began to regulate the arrest and incarceration of people.” (Darr et al 2012). Palestine was patrolled by military forces and multiple prisons began being built. For decades, thousands of Palestinians have been falsely arrested and held in these prisons. 

Not only is there a huge physical presence of prisons and detainment centers, but Gaza in its entirety has been turned into the world’s largest open air prison. The rules and regulations endured by Palestinians everyday align similarly with rules within a prison. ??????“Gaza is described by many Palestinians and humanitarian actors as the world’s largest open-air prison. 1.94 million Palestinians live behind a blockade and are refused access to the other occupied Palestinian areas and the rest of the world” (Høvring 2018). They are not allowed in certain areas, must carry their papers wherever they go, are only given access to what the government allows them to eat, are militarily monitored, and face constant harassment of those military and policing officials. 

Throughout their history, Israel has placed blockades on the import of food to Gaza, and monitored all aid allowed into the country. Recent actions by Israeli authorities have further intensified this crisis, as financial restrictions on key aid agencies have prevented essential food shipments from reaching over 1.1 million Palestinians. For months now, Egyptian trucks full of food aid and supplies have been stopped at the border in Rafah, unable to reach the starving Palestinians. 

One of the main providers of Palestinian food aid, the UNRWA (The UN’s agency for Palestinian relief), has been accused of being linked to Hamas attacks on October 7th. Israel’s accusations have caused the United States, their main funder, to withdraw support (Krauss 2024). This withdrawal of support has completely hindered the abilities of this agency to provide food aid. Over 87% of Palestinians rely on UNRWA for food support, so this has extremely detrimental consequences on the fate of Palestinians (Krauss 2024). 

The continued actions and accusations by Israel have a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of Palestinians; not only are they facing constant attacks, but are also being actively denied food. Israel is weakening the Palestinian population as a whole in order to follow through with their despicable acts, and face little to no armed resistance. 

Palestine relied so heavily on food aid from both Israel and the US that this conflict has completely changed the entirety of the food system in Palestine. Food aid is always highly politicized, and therefore very vulnerable. Jennifer Clapp says that “through its various transformations over the decades, a constant feature of food aid is that it continues to be highly political, regardless of the conditions under which it is given and the form it takes'' (Clapp 2012). Because food aid is so political, bad international relations can crumble the food system. Recipient countries, in this case Palestine, become reliant on this food aid supplied by other countries therefore suffer greatly when those ties are cut. 

Amartya Sen explains the idea of manufactured famine in his journal The Entitlement Approach, “starvation is the characteristic of some people not having enough food to eat. It is not the characteristic of there not being enough food to eat” (Sen 1982). The lack of food aid in this ongoing conflict emphasizes the severity of manufactured famine, putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk for starvation. 

In Gaza, bombs have ravaged infrastructure to an unprecedented extent, leaving more than half of all homes destroyed and over half the population homeless. The United Nations has declared this the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger in history, underscoring the urgent need for immediate and comprehensive humanitarian intervention. 

The scale of destruction is staggering, with many essential facilities such as roads, health centers, water and sanitation facilities, and food production sites being destroyed or rendered inoperable due to bombings and military operations. This widespread destruction severely impedes the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver vital aid to the people of Gaza, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. With aid being blocked, Palestinians are struggling to find food sources. 

These bombs are not only destroying essential infrastructure, but are killing innocent civilians on a daily basis. The staggering loss of life in Gaza, with over 33,137 Gazans killed in the past six months alone, including 13,000 children, underscores the urgent humanitarian crisis gripping the region. Each casualty represents not just a statistic but a human tragedy, a life cut short, and a family torn apart by the ravages of war. As the conflict rages on unabated, the death toll continues to climb relentlessly, leaving behind a trail of grief, anguish, and despair.

Among the victims of this brutal conflict, over 8,000 Gazans remain missing, their fate shrouded in uncertainty and their loved ones left agonizing over their whereabouts. The staggering scale of loss and suffering endured by the people of Gaza demands immediate attention and action from the international community. The relentless bombardment of civilian areas, the destruction of vital infrastructure, and the denial of basic humanitarian assistance have created a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. As the death toll mounts and the ranks of the missing swell, the need for urgent intervention to alleviate the suffering and bring an end to the violence becomes ever more pressing.

Israel’s bombardments see no rest as we can see that even during the holy month of Ramadan, a sacred time of fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide, Gaza endured relentless bombings and continued denial of access to food. This deplorable violation not only defies the sanctity of Ramadan but also heightens the suffering of the already vulnerable population in Gaza.

Ramadan holds profound significance for Muslims, it is a time when believers abstain from food and drink during daylight hours as an expression of devotion and self-discipline. Fasting is a choice during Ramadan, but millions of Gazans are being forced into hunger, rather than fasting for spiritual reasons. 

This blatant religious disregard and malicious intent perpetuated by the Israeli government is nothing new, as to a much lesser extent, they have been doing this for years. First hand accounts speak of the extortion of food prices in the days surrounding Eid by saying, “Eid celebrations… were particularly challenging, with prices soaring for traditional foods ahead of the significant Muslim feast” (Tillman 2022). Raising food prices around this time shows the disregard Israelis have for Islamic traditions at a much lesser level, but proves that Israel is purposefully doing this. 

We must pay close attention to the issue of food aid in Gaza due to its critical humanitarian implications. The denial of food aid intensifies an already dire situation, leaving a significant portion of the population facing starvation and malnutrition. In a region already devastated by conflict and widespread destruction, access to food is not just a basic necessity but a fundamental human right. By addressing the issue of food aid in Gaza, we can contribute to alleviating the suffering of innocent civilians and fostering stability in the region. In researching this topic, I have had to come to terms with the amount of evil in this world, the amount of people who are willing to do anything to gain power and control, and the harsh reality of food insecurity. The best thing to do to foster change in our world is to take action. We must step up and protest and fight for what is right. The ongoing genocide in Palestine is the most significant human rights violation and food insecurity crisis in my generation. The devastation is heartbreaking, but I have hope that we can make a change if we work together across the world.  I see a deep sense of morality within my generation, and believe we can be the ones who facilitate change across the world, and fight for human rights, no matter what. This genocide is unfortunately extremely long and ongoing, but I believe change can be made. 

References

Alyagon Darr, O., & Er`el, R. (2021). The Conflicting Uses of Prison Visitation in Mandate Palestine. Law & Social Inquiry, 47(3), 920–945. https://doi.org/10.1017/lsi.2021.60

Clapp, J. (2012). Hunger in the Balance: The New Politics of International Food Aid. Contemporary Sociology: A Journal of Reviews, 42(1), 130–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0094306112468722f

Høvring, R. (2018). Gaza: The world’s largest open-air prison | NRC. NRC. https://www.nrc.no/news/2018/april/gaza-the-worlds-largest-open-air-prison/

Krauss, J. (2024, January 28). What is UNRWA, the main aid provider in Gaza that Israel accuses of militant links? AP News. https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-un-aid-refugees-29932f8d12c4fa748daa03e3689dc536

Masalha, N. (2012). Naji Al-Ali, Edward Said and Civil Liberation Theology in Palestine: Contextual, Indigenous and Decolonising Methodologies. Holy Land Studies, 11(2), 109–134. https://doi.org/10.3366/hls.2012.0041

Sen, A. (1982). Poverty and Famines. An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation. Pacific Affairs, 55(3), 544. https://doi.org/10.2307/2757163

TIllman, C. (2022, September 21). In Focus: The Interwoven Roots of Systemic Food Insecurity in Palestine. The Center for Climate & Security. https://climateandsecurity.org/2022/09/in-focus-the-interwoven-roots-of-systemic-food-insecurity-in-palestine/

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - occupied Palestinian territory | Gaza Strip: Critical Humanitarian Indicators. (n.d.). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory. https://www.ochaopt.org/page/gaza-strip-critical-humanitarian-indicators

I hope it is ok for me to ask this here-- what will the ramifications be for crops in states suffering with the heat dome? I am not able to find a lot of information on this. Maybe I am googling the wrong search terms?

I hope that I am safe in asking here in Reddit's food security community-- at least there are like minded people who can tell me if I am silly for even wondering.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-heat-wave-sets-records-central-northeast-states-2024-06-18/

Hello

Charting the Course to a Sustainable and Food-Secure Future

The path to a sustainable and food-secure world demands collective action. In our latest video, "Building a Sustainable and Food Secure World: Incentives, Research, and Collaboration," Global Empowerment Leadership explores the key ingredients for success.

This video delves into:

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• The power of collaboration: We explore how fostering collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for achieving sustainable agriculture.
• The importance of incentives and policies: Discover the role of new incentives and policies in promoting sustainable practices.
• Investing in the future: Learn how investing in research and innovation is essential for developing sustainable solutions.

Embrace the challenge and responsibility!

Watch now and discover:

​

• Inspiring examples of successful collaboration for sustainability.
• Compelling insights on the role of incentives and research.
• Actionable steps you can take to contribute to a more sustainable future. Watch the entire video entitled: “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems” on youtube by clicking this link:: https://youtu.be/U7HPlzc2mB0

Join the movement!

​

• Subscribe to Global Empowerment Leadership on YouTube:

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• Link 1: https://bit.ly/3SEd7XQ
• Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbLKbaXY9hbu92lHbOFCwQ?sub_confirmation=1
• Explore more inspiring content:

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• LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3vFDdC4

Together, let's cultivate a future where ecological balance, economic viability, and social equity coexist in harmony, ensuring a sustainable and food-secure world for generations to come!

#SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #GlobalEmpowermentLeadership #Empowerment #Action #Sustainability

Navigating the Future of Agriculture: Feeding the World Sustainably

A groundbreaking study published in Nature paints a sobering picture: global food demand is projected to double in the next 50 years. This challenge demands bold solutions.

In our latest video, "The Future of Agriculture: Challenges and Solutions for Feeding the World," Global Empowerment Leadership empowers you to navigate this critical topic.

This video delves into:

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• The looming challenges: We explore the doubling food demand and its implications for agricultural practices, land use, and environmental sustainability.
• The role of agriculturalists: We highlight the pivotal role of agricultural professionals in managing land and shaping the future of our planet.

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• Seeking solutions: We explore innovative strategies and policies to ensure agricultural sustainability, protect ecosystems, and meet future food needs. Watch the entire video entitled: “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems” on youtube by clicking this link:: https://youtu.be/U7HPlzc2mB0

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Join the movement towards a sustainable future!

Watch now and discover:

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• Compelling insights on the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture.
• Actionable solutions for building a resilient and sustainable food system.
• Ways you can contribute to a more secure and healthy future.

Join the movement!

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• Subscribe to Global Empowerment Leadership on YouTube:

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• Link 1: https://bit.ly/3SEd7XQ
• Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbLKbaXY9hbu92lHbOFCwQ?sub_confirmation=1
• Explore more inspiring content:

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• LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3vFDdC4

Together, let's cultivate a future where food security and environmental health thrive alongside empowered communities!

#SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #GlobalEmpowermentLeadership #Empowerment #Action #Sustainability

Charting the Course for a Sustainable Future: Agriculture, Food Security, and Public Health

The future of agriculture hinges on achieving sustainable food security. As global food demand rises, safeguarding the environment and public health becomes paramount. Global Empowerment Leadership delves into this crucial topic in our latest video, "The Future of Agriculture: Achieving Sustainable Food Security."

This video explores:

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• The critical role of sustainable agriculture: We examine how sustainable practices contribute to meeting future food needs while protecting the environment and public health.
• Real-world examples: Through two insightful case studies, we highlight the importance of utilizing sustainable agricultural systems and the need for innovation for a food-secure world.
• A call to action: We explore the critical need for new policies and research to pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Join the movement towards a secure and sustainable future!

Watch now and discover:

​

• Groundbreaking insights on the significance of sustainable agriculture.
• Inspiring case studies showcasing successful implementation.
• Actionable steps you can take to advocate for change. Watch the entire video entitled: “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems” on youtube by clicking this link:: https://youtu.be/U7HPlzc2mB0

Join the movement!

​

• Subscribe to Global Empowerment Leadership on YouTube:

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• Link 1: https://bit.ly/3SEd7XQ
• Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbLKbaXY9hbu92lHbOFCwQ?sub_confirmation=1
• Explore more inspiring content:

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• LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3vFDdC4

Together, let's cultivate a future where food security and sustainability thrive alongside a healthy planet and empowered communities!

#SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #GlobalEmpowermentLeadership #Empowerment #Action #Sustainability

Hi! are there and registered dietitians working within food security that can talk about what your job is like/ what path you took to get there?

This is for a research project! please share your thoughts on it!

Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third largest city in the U.S. It is well known for having problems, such as it’s high crime and history of political corruption, but one problem that is just as important but that hasn’t received as much attention is its issue of food security. As showed to the attached chart, the rates of food insecurity spiked massively in Chicago when COVID began, however even after the COVID issue shrunk, those rates still remained significantly high.

The issue of hunger is no easy one to solve, especially in a massive city like Chicago. That’s a lot of mouths to feed! As an ordinary citizen, and not a politician with significant money or power, what can we do to work on this issue?

-Donating! - Food kitchens, food pantries, and shelters are on the frontlines fighting this crisis, and you could support them on the frontline via physically helping out or donating money or supplies. -Spreading the message! - this could be to your friends and family, or to politicians to take more measures to help those in misfortune.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider.

source: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/equity/how-food-access-highlights-economic-inequity-chicago

Hi,

I work in wholesale food industry and am deeply concerned about shoring up global food security. Is this sub still active?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations maintains the Suite of Food Security Indicators, which describe and quantify food security in various countries worldwide. There are a total of thirty indicators grouped into four dimensions. Clicking on the topmost "Preview" on the right side of the following page will direct you to a color-coded map of the world (https://data.apps.fao.org/catalog/dataset/faostat-food-security).

These heatmaps display absolute values (both non-normalized and normalized, e.g., as a percentage). However, I believe it is valuable to observe the direction and magnitude of change. This is because improvements or deteriorations in a country greatly influence perceptions of life in that country. To address this, I have created an analytical web service that aggregates established indices, including the Suite of Food Security Indicators.

This web service offers several types of pages for the Suite of Food Security Indicators:
- The 'About' page lists indicators within dimensions and provides a description of the methodology (https://stateruler.org/food-security-dynamics/).
- The 'States' (https://stateruler.org/food-security-dynamics/state/) and 'Groups' (https://stateruler.org/food-security-dynamics/group/) pages list countries and groups of countries.
- Pages for individual countries and groups (if data is available) visualize changes and cumulative changes in food security across dimensions. They also link to changes for individual indicators.

For example, please take a look at the G7 group (https://stateruler.org/food-security-dynamics/group/G7/). I hope you find this service useful, providing you with new insights into food security.

Guys we need to revive this subreddit by posting more and more relevant news articles as well as posting this in more popular subreddits.Suggest ways to make this subreddit better!!!

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HarvestPlus and partners continue to fight hunger by fortifying diets worldwide.

2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of HarvestPlus. The company develops nutritional-agricultural technology to improve the nutrition of staple foods. The company’s website highlights “hidden hunger” or the often invisible micronutrient malnutrition that over 2 billion people worldwide suffer.

The organization takes a practical approach, working locally with partners to develop resources to fight the problems that scale. Here is more background on the group and its expanding mission.

1. An approach to food production known as “biofortification”

Biofortification is the process of increasing the density of micronutrients in widely consumed staple crops through methods including conventional plant breeding and agronomic practices.

2. Breeding for improved yields and nutritional quality

In Pakistan, one of the highest wheat-consuming countries in the world, the zinc wheat variety Akbar-2019 is now a ‘mega-variety’. It provides 30 percent more zinc and 8-10 percent higher yield than previous popular varieties.

3. Commitment to innovation and cooperation that scales

These collective efforts and alliances are the catalyst behind the scale up to over 86 million people in farming households eating nutrient-enriched foods in 2022, 22% more than in 2021.

Egypt is on the brink of a food crisis, needs a major policy rethink.

Last year, Egypt needed a $3 billion loan from the IMF. The situation has only worsened since. The Egyptian economy is struggling with inflation nearing 40% in June and food inflation soaring over 60%. Egypt depends on imports for over half of its food needs. The country is on the brink of a food crisis.

Food shortages and inflation led to the formation of GASC, or the General Authority for Supply Commodities, in the late 1960s. GASC manages the procurement of commodities ranging from staples like wheat and vegetable oils to maintaining domestic market price balances.

GASC often issues public tenders so companies can compete to win the business. They rarely provide validating information regarding inventory levels or domestic consumption, so it can take time to discern the motive for buying activities.

For example, GASC will announce inventories of five or more months and then shortly after issuing a tender. Traders are left wondering whether inventories are ample or GASC is sending a signal trying to lower prices before needing to purchase.

The escalation in Ukraine is forcing a rethink of food and agriculture policy in Egypt. The country must improve water usage, agriculture production, and agri-tech investment. Egypt now faces a full-blown crisis and needs big solutions to address them.

There is no simple fix, and the situation could worsen quickly if the Black Sea were cut-off entirely. Get the full article at the link below.

Source: Easy Newz Mobile App