How food is produced, how food is consumed and how food is distributed is ripe for substantial changes.
Addressing the challenges posed by our ever-changing climate requires an agile approach with policies, education and technology taking centre stage. From diminishing water resources to extreme weather events, the impacts cascade through every link of the food supply chains.Â
Food waste has exposed vast inefficiencies in our food supply chains. It is estimated that between 691 and 783 million people in the world faced hunger in 2022. The number of people facing hunger in Africa has increased by 11 million people since 2021 and by more than 57 million people since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Milder winters and warmer springs may seem like a win for some of us who enjoy the sunshine-filled days. However, it can cause major disruption to our food supply chains. In many regions now dealing with extreme heat, such as the Mediterranean, farmers are facing challenges with the optimal production of their fruit and vegetables. Both require seasonality to achieve the right levels of production.Â
Furthermore, climate vulnerable countries are exporting more than ever when they may themselves be short in supply, given the increased demand and stagnant production.Â
Today, many of us take our nicely packed supermarket shelves for granted. However, the future may present a very different picture as scarcity creeps in, and we continue to feel the effects of climate on our food security.
Record numbers of people visiting food banksÂ
Across the United States, according to the US Department of Agriculture, food insecurity occurs when households are unable to acquire adequate food because they have insufficient money and other resources. The cost of living crisis is having a widespread impact on the food security of the general population, with many food banks struggling to meet the record demands.Â
Also Read:Â The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business
Just last year, the Guardian newspaper reported a record number of households in the UK depending on food banks. This isn’t a remote problem in the UK. It is also being reported on in the US and Canada with supply issues and out-of-control costs affecting the working class.Â
This is a great concern as most working families are not eligible for government assistance because of their working status. If the average family working a full-time job cannot put enough food on the table, then what hope do the poorer classes have?
The complexities involved demand robust, reliable technology as well as expert insights. Projects like Morpheus.Network leverage blockchain technology to streamline complex processes. Using a mixture of advanced technologies, including Blockchain, Automation and AI, they can address the food waste inefficiencies identified earlier.Â
By providing supply chain managers with unparalleled shipment and item visibility, Morpheus. The network empowers automation and optimization, ensuring the safe and secure movement of food while simultaneously saving valuable time and resources.Â
Tackling the issue at source
Food producers are a critical and often silent component in the high risks to our food supplies brought about by climate change. EthicHub is one of many projects focused on incentivizing farmers to produce by connecting them with lenders globally and facilitating direct sales to buyers.Â
Financial rewards for farmers are crucial for sustaining agricultural livelihoods. EthicHub not only provides farmers with access to much-needed capital but also enhances the economic viability of their production.Â
By leveraging coffee as collateral for loans and improving unit economics, EthicHub tackles the root causes of food supply problems, ensuring that farmers receive the financial rewards they deserve while contributing to the future of sustainable food systems.
Some of the findings in the recent European Climate Risk Assessment Report should scream alarm bells for policy makers and consumers. One section notes that Risks from heat and drought to crop production are already at a critical level in southern Europe. Blockchain is one of the most promising technologies that will enable us to address the ongoing issues in food production, consumption and distribution.
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