2 min read
Written by Marc Xuereb
Originally posted on June 6th, 2011
Oxfam released a major new report on the global food system on May 31st, and launched a campaign at the same time, calling for dramatic changes to address world hunger and climate change.
In order to fix the global food system, Oxfam’s GROW campaign is calling for:
- a new global system that regulates trade and financial markets and that increases funding for food aid and climate change adaptation;
- investment in a new food future, where small-scale farmers are supported and women’s critical role in food production is recognized;
- serious commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and channelling adaptation funding to women farmers hit hardest by rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
If nothing is done, international prices for staple foods will rise in the range of 120 to 180 per cent within 20 years, according to new research commissioned by Oxfam for Growing a Better Future. Half of the price increase will be attributable to climate change. This will come on top of the price spikes that have already pushed some 144 million people into poverty since 2008.
Oxfam says food price increases are a consequence of a vicious spiral of high oil prices; poor harvests in different parts of the world; diversion of food and land to biofuels; export bans reducing global supply; hoarding of food stocks; and speculation on global food markets.
To read Oxfam’s full news release and 76-page report, see: http://www.oxfam.ca/news-and-publications/news/hunger-and-food-prices-rise-oxfam-launches-global-food-campaign