UN goal of ending hunger by 2030 risks failure as global food crisis worsens

July 16, 2023 / activist360

*The ‘three sisters’ are staple foods for many Native American tribes. Marilyn Angel Wynn/Getty Images*

Pandemic and war in Ukraine have pushed 122 million more people into hunger since 2019, according to new report.

By David Henry, Forests News

The number of people facing hunger in the world has risen by more than 122 million since 2019 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine and weather shocks, according to a new United Nations report.

It is estimated that 691 million to 783 million people lacked sufficient food in 2022, affecting 9.2% of the global population compared with 7.9% in 2019, the year before the pandemic began, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2023 report, which is produced by five UN agencies.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) provide an annual update on the world’s progress towards ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition.

The 2023 report emphasized that the UN Sustainable Development Goal of creating a world free of hunger by 2030 risks failure if current trends continue. It is projected that almost 600 million people will be chronically undernourished at the end of the decade.

“The latest SOFI report highlights the urgent need to reverse the trends that undermine the world’s ability to achieve the goal of zero hunger by 2030,” says Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). “Trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes have a vital role to play in this process by helping address the interrelated challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, livelihoods and inequity.”

To help transform food systems, CIFOR-ICRAF is promoting the wide-scale adoption of agroecological approaches, including farmer-led strategies to increase tree cover and diversity across agricultural landscapes. And by providing evidence on how forests and trees contribute to people’s diets, it is raising awareness and influencing national policies to include forests and trees as part of national and local food systems.

‘’The SOFI 2023 report shows that in a world where regular crises become the new norm, increasing the resilience of agrifood systems is a priority,” says David Laborde, Director of the FAO Agrifood Economics Division (ESA). “Forestry has a key role to play in this system. The range of actions and opportunities is vast: from helping the regulation of water flows and mitigating the severity of heatwaves, to providing income diversification options and more robust integrated production systems.’’

While global hunger stabilized in 2022 alone, it continued to increase in some vulnerable countries, in particular in Africa. Seizing the opportunity provided by forests, either by rebuilding them in the Sahel region, or preserving their services in Central and Eastern Africa is part of reversing the hunger trend in these countries, Laborde says.

As it addresses five global challenges, CIFOR-ICRAF is committed to transforming food systems that are based on sustainable land management, equitable outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as supply chains that rely on sound environmental practices and social inclusion.

Trees can make a major contribution to boosting the productivity of farming systems and the lives of rural communities, who provide most of the world’s food. CIFOR-ICRAF facilitates this process by helping farmers choose the right tree for the right place for the right purpose on their farms and then to manage them effectively.

“Agroecology enables farmers to grow food while preserving soil health and improving the resilience of food systems,” says Fergus Sinclair, Chief Scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF. “The world produces enough food to feed nearly twice the current population, yet millions of people are still hungry. A greater emphasis on agroecology, including reducing food loss and waste, would help policymakers tackle this worsening global food crisis.”

The 2023 SOFI report highlighted that agroecology has a role to play in ending hunger by the end of the decade while offering other benefits. At plot, farm and landscape scales, it can help increase farmers’ incomes, improve food security and nutrition, use water more efficiently and enhance nutrient recycling, as well as conserve biodiversity and provide other ecosystem services.

Agrifood systems will also need to be viewed beyond the traditional rural-urban divide, according to the UN agencies. Due to population growth, small and intermediate cities and rural towns are increasingly bridging the space between rural areas and large metropolises, creating both challenges and opportunities to ensure everyone has access to affordable healthy diets.

Diverse and profound symbols of fatherhood in nature

June 18, 2023 / activist360

*Angel Oak Tree | Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Andrew Shelley on Unsplash.*

Happy Father’s Day to all the nature lovers out there!

This Father’s Day we’re taking a look at the diverse and profound symbols of “fatherhood” in nature. We found several nature-related symbols embodying fatherhood across a range of cultures and species. Take a quick journey with us to learn about these symbols.

Majestic father oak

Rooted in its attributes of strength, resilience, and longevity, the oak parallels qualities traditionally associated with fatherhood. Just as a father offers protection and guidance, the oak tree’s broad branches provide shelter. Its steadfast nature implies a dependable presence. In Celtic mythology, the oak was held in high reverence as a father figure, an emblem of stability and nurturing amid life’s tumultuous storms (Markale, J. (2004). The Celts: Uncovering the Mythic and Historic Origins of Western Culture). Its acorns, seen as seeds of potential, mirror a father’s role in fostering growth and development in his offspring. This majestic oak tree’s symbolism reflects the enduring, protective, and nurturing aspects of fatherhood, celebrating its essential role in the cycle of life.

Mountain, the patriarch

Mountains, due to their imposing stature, have been perceived as paternal figures across various cultures. Mount Olympus in Greek mythology was not only home to the gods but the dwelling place of Zeus, the father of gods and men (Source: Grimal, P. (1996). The Dictionary of Classical Mythology). Native American tribes like the Sioux perceive mountains as sacred and regard them as ‘grandfathers,’ signifying wisdom and spiritual guidance (Source: Brown, J. E. (1953). The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux).

Father sun

The sun, radiant and life-giving also represents fatherhood in numerous cultures. It exemplifies power, constancy, and nurturing. In Ancient Egyptian mythology, the sun god Ra was seen as the father of all gods, embodying warmth, life, and illumination (Source: Pinch, G. (2002). Handbook of Egyptian Mythology). Similarly, in many Native American cultures, the sun was often revered as a father figure, offering light, warmth, and growth to its children on Earth (Source: Hirschfelder, A. B., & Molin, P. F. (1992). The Encyclopedia of Native American Religions). The symbol of the father sun embodies the vital role of fathers as providers, protectors, and guiding lights in the lives of their offspring.

Lord lion

The lion serves as a powerful symbol of fatherhood. Renowned for its strength, courage, and protective instincts, the male lion’s role mirrors the archetypical father figure. It defends its pride against potential harm, embodying the protective aspect of fatherhood. The lion guides its young, teaching them essential survival skills, which encapsulates the mentoring facet of fatherhood (Source: DeMello, M. (2012). Animals and Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies).

Eagle, the sire

The eagle, soaring high above the earth, represents a magnificent symbol of fatherhood in numerous cultures. Its exceptional strength, acute vision, and protective instincts correspond to the traditional roles and qualities associated with fatherhood. Among Native American cultures, the eagle, as a messenger of the Great Spirit, carries spiritual symbolism. It exemplifies wisdom, courage, and protective care – revered fatherly traits that guide and protect families (Source: Hirschfelder, A. B., & Molin, P. F. (1992). The Encyclopedia of Native American Religions). As the eagle prepares a safe nest and vigilantly guards its young, it embodies the nurturing and protective roles of a father. The soaring flight of the eagle conveys the encouragement fathers provide their children to reach great heights. The eagle’s symbolism captures the essence of fatherhood—nurturing, guiding, protecting, and inspiring the next generation.

Selfless seahorse as birthing papa

Unlike most species, it is the male seahorse that assumes the responsibility of pregnancy, challenging traditional paternal roles and symbolizing an exceptional level of paternal care and investment. This rare trait positions the seahorse as a representation of devoted fatherhood and redefines the boundaries of paternal roles within the natural world (Source: Wilson, R. A. (2010). The Labor of Words: Literary Professionalism in the Progressive Era). The male seahorse nurtures its young in its own body signifies a father’s deep commitment and selflessness, encapsulating an intimate bond with the offspring. The seahorse, in its unique biology, presents an unconventional yet compelling symbol of fatherhood, highlighting the profound nurturing, dedication, and flexibility inherent in this role.

The above examples show us that nature is rich with symbols that represent the multifaceted concept of “father.” These symbols extend from plants to celestial bodies to animals to sea life. They emphasize the qualities attributed to fatherhood—strength, protection, wisdom, and nurturing—and encapsulate the complex and universal essence of fatherhood.

Appreciating bees and their cognitive abilities

May 21, 2023 / activist360

Close-up Photo of Bee in Flower by Alexas Fotos: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-bee-in-flower-2198671/ — *Close-up photo of a bee in a flower by Alexas Fotos.*

Bees are remarkable creatures that support our ecosystems. They need protection and preservation.

Cognitive ability refers to the mental processes and skills involved in acquiring, processing, storing, and applying information. The American Psychological Association defines cognitive ability as, “the skills involved in performing the tasks associated with perception, learning, memory, understanding, awareness, reasoning, judgment, intuition, and language.”

Bees, particularly honeybees (Apis mellifera), exhibit remarkable cognitive abilities. They possess intricate navigational skills, communication systems, and memory capacity. In The Dancing Bees: An Account of the Life and Senses of the Honey Bee, author Karl von Frisch delves into the complex behaviors and sensory perceptions of honeybees. Von Frisch’s research and observations shed light on the cognitive prowess of bees, including their ability to communicate through intricate dances and navigate complex landscapes using visual cues.

Bees also demonstrate impressive learning and memory capabilities. They can associate visual, olfactory, and tactile cues with rewards or punishments. Studies, such as the research conducted by Randolf Menzel and Martin Giurfa reveal that bees can learn to recognize and remember specific colors, shapes, patterns, depth, and motion contrast, among others. They exhibit a capacity for associative learning, enabling them to solve complex tasks and adapt their behavior based on past experiences. Bees also possess a centralized nervous system and a complex array of sensory receptors, suggesting a capacity for processing and integrating sensory information.

In addition, bees have shown a remarkable ability to solve problems in laboratory settings. Research by Lars Chittka demonstrates how bees can learn to use tools, such as small sticks, to access out-of-reach rewards. This behavior suggests a level of cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills beyond simple instinctual responses.

While it is challenging to measure subjective experiences in non-human animals, studies indicate that bees exhibit physiological and behavioral responses consistent with experiencing pain or distress. Research by Melissa Bateson and colleagues found that honeybees show a pessimistic bias in their decision-making after experiencing a negative event, suggesting that they could be regarded as exhibiting emotions. Sentience refers to the capacity of an organism to have subjective experiences, sensations, or conscious awareness of its own existence and in relation to the external world. It is often associated with the ability to feel pleasure or pain and have a sense of self-awareness. Since honeybees have been suggested to exhibit emotional states, this also implies that honeybees are sentient beings.

The potential sentience of bees alongside their cognitive abilities highlights the importance of preserving bee populations and their habitats for the well-being of these remarkable creatures and the ecosystems they support.