The last three popes, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis have called all Catholics to protect the environment as part of our duty as Christians. To protect human life and the earth. Among other things, they point out climate change is a big cause of world hunger.
Extreme weather conditions like floods, wildfires, droughts, cyclones and high temperatures can cause a decline in food production. Crops are reduced, destroyed or are failing completely.
Countries across the world are experiencing more and more climate-related disasters. Severe drought is a leading cause of malnutrition in more than a third of the countries, which have had a rise in hunger levels in the last fifteen years.
For instance, in the Sehel region of Africa (including Niger, Mali and Chad), the rainy seasons are becoming more erratic. Droughts are leading to a decrease in food growth. Floods are also causing more outbreaks of diseases like cholera.
Climate change is a long-term threat to food security and nutrition. It has been reported the risk of hunger and malnutrition could rise by 20% if we fail to reduce and prevent the diverse effects of climate change.
What can we do to help, you might ask?
• Fund Humanitarian Efforts to Prevent Famine….
• Invest in Smallholder Farmers….
• Invest in Climate-Smart Agriculture….
• Eliminate Food Waste….
• Ensure Universal School Meals….
