How the Ethanol Crisis Affects You:
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Ethanol and World Hunger
Overview
The effect of higher food prices has been felt across the globe and threatens to
reverse progress in overcoming malnutrition and poverty. Approximately 100 million
people worldwide may have been pushed into poverty because of escalating food prices
over the past two years. (The World Bank) In April, the United Nations
called for a five-year moratorium on the production of biofuels to address the global
food crisis.
Quick Facts
- The emerging biofuels market is a new and significant source of demand for some
agricultural commodities such as sugar, maize, cassava, oilseeds and palm oil. The
increase in demand for these commodities has been one of the leading factors behind
the increase in their prices in world markets which, in turn, has led to higher
food prices.
"Report: Soaring Food Prices: Facts, Perspectives, Impacts and Actions
Required", Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N., June 5, 2008
- High food prices across the globe threaten to reverse hard-won gains in overcoming
malnutrition and poverty.
"Rising Food Prices Threaten Poverty Reduction", The World Bank,
4/9/2008
- Grains account for over 50% of the diet in some of the poorest countries in the
world.
"Rising Food Prices Intensify Food Insecurity in Developing Countries",
USDA Economic Research Service, Feb. 2008
- Organizations that provide a food safety net for the world's hungriest people are
struggling to cope with rising prices. In order for the World Food Programme to
distribute the same amount of food as last year, it will need an additional $700
million.
"The silent tsunami", The Economist, 4/17/2008
- Hunger and malnutrition are the underlying causes of death of over 3.5 million children
every year.
"Poor and Hungry Cannot Afford to Wait, World Bank President Says",
World Bank, 4/29/2008
- In Haiti, the poorest citizens eat patties made of mud, oil, and sugar and one in five children is chronically malnourished.
"Across Globe, Empty Bellies Bring Rising Anger", New York Times, 4/18/2008
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 36 countries
are in crisis as a result of higher food prices.
"High Food Prices - A Harsh New Reality", The World Bank, 2/13/2008
- Poor households are spending a higher percentage of their income on food, while
consuming smaller amounts, eating less frequently, and eating cheaper and sometimes
less nutritious foods.
"Soaring food prices and the rural poor", International Fund for Agricultural Development,
April 2008
- In Bangladesh, approximately 60 million poor people spend about 40% of their incomes
on rice and are struggling to cope with rising prices.
"A different sort of emergency", The Economist, 4/17/2008
Studies, Testimony and Reports
Articles of Interest
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