How does global water scarcity affect food security … does global water scarcity affect food...
Transcript of How does global water scarcity affect food security … does global water scarcity affect food...
How does global water scarcity affect food security and development
Miina Porkka Aalto University
Water at Risk symposium 21.3.2017
Ending hunger with water?
• Freshwater is a key resource for food production
No water = no food
• 70–90% of all water used by humanity is used in agriculture
No food = no water use?
Global picture on water scarcity
• Over a half of global population affected by water scarcity • MENA region, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of China…
Kummu et al. 2014
Global picture on water scarcity
• Population growth biggest driver of water scarcity
• World’s population quadrupled since 1900
• Population affected by water scarcity increased 16-fold
Kummu et al. 2016
Global picture on food availability
Porkka et al. 2013 Porkka et al. 2015
• Water use in food production more efficient • Green revolution
• Trade distributes global food supply more evenly
• But food insufficiency still occurs, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
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Zero hunger – how?
• More of what has worked before:
• Sustainable intensification through better nutrient and irrigation management • Requires investment in knowledge and capital, supporting regulation and
strong institutions
• Sharing resources through global trade • Requires international legislation and policies, institutional arrangements
• Valuable resources could be saved through: • Avoiding overconsumption • Cutting food waste • Limiting consumption of animal products
These measures combined could double or even triple global food supply!
Zero hunger – how?
• In theory enough food for all even now – what about in practice?
• Zero hunger requires improved access to food supplies • Ultimately comes down to social justice and equity • Requires progress on many other SDGs
Desired change • Secure food for growing population while ensuring environmental sustainability
Actual impact • Government, private sector, academia, NGOs each have their role, as
mentioned before: • Provide innovation, scientific knowledge & outreach • Advocate for policies that promote good management, social justice &
equity
• Impact can be created on an individual level, too: • Avoid overconsumption • Waste less