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Lydia Valentino

Mr. Taylor

Honors English 1

24 October 2018

Zero Hunger Essay

Have you ever been without food for a week or more? The majority of people in the

United States rarely go a few hours without food let alone a week or more! According to the

Sustainable Development Goals published by the United Nations (UN), over 800 million people

suffer from hunger. Surprisingly, hunger is the leading cause of death globally and is ever

growing (Goal 2: Zero Hunger). If nothing is done, researchers project there will be over two

billion malnourished people by the year 2050 ( “Zero Hunger: Why It Matters”).

With enough food to feed everyone on in the world, why are there so many people

hungry? Zero hunger is an ambiguous goal that is a problem locally and globally. Locally, in the

US, 40 million people struggle with hunger and that number is expected to rise (“Facts About

Poverty and Hunger in America”). In many parts of the world such as South America and Asia

the problem is also worsening, to one in every nine people (“Zero Hunger: Why it Matters”). If

the 800 million people globally were properly nourished, our economies, health, education,

human equality, and social development would be positively impacted. Additionally, many

other sustainable development goals would also be reached such as education, health, and gender

equality. Zero Hunger is a critical piece in building a better future for everyone.

A great change to the global food and agricultural system is needed to put an end to this

prevailing global issue. The UN is currently doing many things to achieve the Zero Hunger

Goal and has been actively promoting the concept throughout the world. The UN has been
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studying the food ecosystem, developing a deep understanding how the producers, distributors,

and the consumers work together. Our earth has provides vast resources, but unequal access and

inefficient handling that is leading to starvation. Advancing agriculture by utilizing modern

technologies and creating fair food distribution systems is essential to end global hunger. As part

of the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN aims to eliminate all forms of malnutrition and to

build inclusive and sustained food systems (“Transforming Our World”).

Beyond the UN, there are many organizations that are focused on solving world hunger.

One organization is The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). They have

“focused exclusively on rural poverty reduction, working with poor rural populations in

developing countries to eliminate poverty, hunger and malnutrition; raise their productivity and

incomes; and improve the quality of their lives. IFAD has supported about 400 million poor

rural women and men over the past three decades.” (“Food”). The IFAD as the common goal to

end hunger throughout the world.

Beyond just feeding the hungry, a vital piece of building a better future is solving the

world hunger crisis. A world without hunger will lead to stronger economies, education, health,

equality, and social development. You can make changes in your life at home that impact this

goal. The UN will only reach this ambitious goal by the year 2030 if everyone does their part,

like supporting local farmers or markets, making sustainable food choices, as well as voting to

demand changes that support Zero Hunger. You can join the Global Movement for Zero Hunger

by joining the Zero Hunger Challenge (www.zerohunger-challenge.org)!

Works Cited

“Food.”United Nations, United Nations, 23 Oct. 2018,

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www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/food/

“Goal 2: Zero Hunger.”UNDP, 23 Oct. 2018,

www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-2-zero-hunger.html

“Goal 2: Zero Hunger - United Nations Sustainable Development.” United Nations,

United Nations, 23 Oct. 2018, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/hunger/

“North Carolina, ”Feeding America, 23 Oct 2018,

www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/north-carolina

“Nutrition.” UNICEF, 23 Oct. 2018,

www.unicef.org/nutrition/

“Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,Sustainable

Development Knowledge Platform.” United Nations, United Nations, 23 Oct. 2018,

sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld