Tag: food insecurity

The recent convergence of World Hunger Day and South Africa’s Election Day invited a critical examination of our nation's battle against hunger. The days leading up to this important occasion buzzed with election fervour, but in the aftermath of the campaign promises and political posturing, let us not forget the stark realities faced by millions of South Africans, particularly our children and mothers, who bear the brunt of malnutrition and food insecurity.

The “cashless revolution” spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic has proven durable and persistent. PwC’s Payments 2025 & beyond publication, released in 2021, reported a 42% increase in global cashless payment volumes. The 2023 McKinsey Global Payments Report found that global cash usage continued to decline – by four percentage points year on year – and that the growth rate of electronic transactions was nearly triple that of the overall growth in payments revenue.

The concept of sustainability is considered differently for developing countries versus developed countries. Developed economies tend to look at sustainability with a significant focus towards environmental impact and preservation. In contrast, developing countries consider sustainability from a socio-economic perspective, which includes infrastructure-related challenges, for example.

The 2023 Agricultural Insurance Pulse Report indicates global hunger and food insecurity is on the rise with the number of undernourished people estimated to have increased up to 828 million in 2021. Africa, unfortunately, makes up a large percentage with 57.9% of the population exposed to moderate or severe food insecurity.

The world is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, more fragmented and further away from the more equal and equitable iteration imagined in 2015 when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were conceptualised. As we hurtle at seemingly lightning speed towards the 2030 deadline to achieve these goals, the urgency is palpable.

Parametric development insurance shows real impact on African continent amidst calls for increased climate finance in run up to COP27. Climate finance is a hot topic in the run up to COP27. While Africa waits for developed nations to fulfil their aid pledges, climate financing is making a difference on the continent, but more needs to be done.

Paul Ehrlich says the collapse of civilization is a 'near certainty' within decades – again. Well, given how awful his track record has been, I’m happy to hear it. Ehrlich has about a 0% correct rate on all his other predictions. But, he plays the same role to the Left that religious fanatics on the Right play – they predict the end of the world to rile up the faithful.