National Geographic: The New Face of Hunger
HUNGER
Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, millions in the U.S. go hungry every day. By the end of 2020, as many as one in four Americans did not have reliable access to sufficient nutritious food, and 2021 is on course to be no better.
Massachusetts had the greatest increase in hunger of any state in the country last year.
One hundred million people internationally are now at risk of slipping into severe poverty.
IMPACT OF PANDEMIC
The pandemic has increased hunger everywhere, in Massachusetts, America, and worldwide. Hunger will continue for years, and for many, its impacts will last a lifetime.
Hunger disproportionately affects the elderly, minorities, women, children, and people of limited means. Many people who have never before confronted hunger are now seeking food assistance.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Hunger caused by climate change will dwarf COVID-19-induced hunger!
Climate change exacerbates hunger in two significant ways:
- It impacts food production.
- It causes natural disasters that displace people, who then need emergency food aid and often become refugees.