Centre of Communication & Design

English Language Programs Level 5

Tape scriptTodays lecture is on the problem of world hunger.
In a world of plenty, a huge number of people go hungry. Hunger is more than just the result of
poor food production and high demands. The causes of hunger are related to the causes of
poverty. One of the major causes of hunger is poverty itself. Many times people simply cannot
afford to pay for food. Lets consider some of the top causes of food shortages and hunger and
then look at some interesting facts.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

land rights and ownership

inefficient agricultural practices
War
Famine
Drought
Over-fishing
Poor crop yield

However, these are not the only reasons for hunger. Firstly, food sometimes goes bad before it can
be eaten or it is often distributed improperly. Finally, put simply, people and businesses waste it.
In Africa 25% or more of the crops go bad before they can be eaten. In developing nations like
ones in Africa this can be due to many reasons such as a lack of technology and infrastructure,
insect infestations, microbial growth and damage of high temperatures and humidity.
Now think about this, 9 million people die worldwide each year b/c of hunger and malnutrition. Out
of these 9 million, 5 million are children.
Approximately 1.2 billion suffer from hunger. What I mean is, they are lacking in calories and
protein.
Some 2 to 3.5 billion people have micronutrient deficiency, which means they lack the correct
amount of vitamins and minerals.
With all these problems, other parts of the world suffer from obesity at about 1.2 billion people. So
another reason for hunger and food shortages could be said to be a problem of distribution. What I
mean is, that food is not equally and fairly given out to people around the world. While some
countries have large quantities, others have very little.
Food wastage is also astronomically high. Here are some stats. In the UK a shocking 30-40% of all
food is NEVER eaten! And in the last decade the amount of food thrown in the bin in Britain went
up 15%. Overall 20 billion pounds, which is equal to US 38 Billion dollars, is thrown away every
year.
In the US 40- 50% of all food ready for harvest never gets eaten. Of the food that does reach
households, some 14% is wasted, resulting in 43 billion dollars of wastage.
If you consider food that goes to restaurants, supermarkets and cafeterias, then the wastage
increases by 27%.
The impacts of waste are not just financial and hunger-related. They are also environmental. This
waste leads to
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Wasteful use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides

More fuel used for transporting food and waste
And more rotting food which creates methane- a harmful greenhouse gas

So, while food shortage is often a problem it may not be as serious as the problem of food waste
and poor distribution. This is something people should seriously consider next time they throw out
their lunch.

Lisa Soviero, adapted from www.globalissues.org, August 2012

Centre of Communication & Design

English Language Programs Level 5

AnswersPart 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

A
C
D
B
C
B
A
Part2
1. 25%
2. 5 million
3. (approximately) 1.2 billion, calories
4. 2, 3.5 billion, vitamins, minerals
5. 1.2 billion
6. 30-40%
7. Last decade, went up 15%
8. 38 billion dollars
9. 40-50%
10.Households, 43 billion dollars
11.Restaurants, supermarkets, increases

Lisa Soviero, adapted from www.globalissues.org, August 2012