In an industry defined by temperature-sensitive operations, adapting to change is pivotal for cold storage facilities like ours. DP World, a global leader in logistics and trade, has recently dropped a game-changing report titled “The Three Degrees of Change.” This 2023 report delves into the ins and outs of navigating change effectively within the cold storage sector. Join us in this series as we unpack key insights and actionable takeaways from this study.
Our global food system is in dire need of radical change. The challenges of food loss, waste, and insecurity pose a grave threat to global food security, impacting not only our social fabric but also our environmental and economic aspirations.
The Staggering Human Toll
Each day, 25,000 people succumb to hunger, marking a stark reality that
demands our attention. According to the Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), over 820 million people worldwide are hungry, and an
additional 2 billion grapple with food insecurity. Even in affluent
regions like North America and Europe, 8% of the population lacks
regular access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
Foodborne diseases afflict around 600 million people annually, claiming the lives of over 400 million individuals. Beyond the human toll, these diseases exact a substantial economic burden through healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Resources for a Growing Population
As the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, a 56% gap in the food system must be addressed to meet the escalating demand. Climate change-induced extreme weather events, such as droughts and heatwaves, compound the challenge by damaging crops and disrupting established production schedules.
Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns not only impact crop yields but also threaten ocean food sources through CO2 emissions, leading to acidification of seawater. This jeopardizes the main source of protein for over one billion vulnerable people globally.
Vulnerabilities in Global Supply Chains
Countries heavily reliant on food imports, like the UK, face vulnerabilities in supply chains. Recent disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, exposed the fragility of these systems. The need for resilience becomes evident to absorb shocks from increased energy, transport, and other costs.
Food system disruptions disproportionately affect poor, disadvantaged, and marginalised individuals and communities across different income brackets. The consequences ripple through public health, social equity, and societal well-being, potentially influencing political and geopolitical stability.
In a world grappling with a multitude of challenges, from rapid population growth to climate change-induced weather events, it is imperative that we ensure food reaches everyone’s table. This, in safe and nutritional conditions, is a collective responsibility.
As we navigate this broken food system, the urgency for systemic change
becomes clear, highlighting the need for a resilient, equitable, and
sustainable approach to secure the future of our global food supply. Join us for the next part in this series as we discuss actionable steps we can take to address these challenges.
