Food Crisis

Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, called for “nothing short of a green revolution” in Africa when he spoke at King’s College London yesterday. Mr. Annan was invited to the College to give a lecture on ‘Africa in the World Today’.

In his lecture, Kofi Annan emphasised the causal link between climate change and the global food crisis which is severely affecting Africa. “The most pressing challenge we face is food supply. We need action to tackle the immediate food crisis in Africa and the long-term impact that climate change will have on food supplies and agriculture across the continent", said Annan.

His speech, delivered yesterday, echoed some of the messages he delivered last month at the ‘Toward a Green Revolution in Africa’ conference in Salzburg, Austria. At that conference, Mr. Annan urged for “a uniquely African Green Revolution”. Mr. Annan wants to raise awareness about the importance of implementing a Green Revolution in Africa because of the continent’s “disproportionate exposure to climate risks”. He has called upon governments to help put in place social protection to help the poor of Africa cope with economic and climatic shocks.

The food crisis is being felt around the globe, including here in the UK, with many families struggling to cope with soaring food prices. The cost of basic staples such as milk, bread and rice have increased significantly. According to the Guardian, wheat prices have doubled between May 2007 and February 2008. This is an issue that requires a high level of international cooperation and commitment.

In Africa, however, the food riots that have occurred in countries such as Senegal and Burkina Faso haven’t just been about voicing discontent over higher food prices. Here, the food crisis is a question of life and death. I hope that Kofi Annan’s words will be taken seriously, and that immediate action will be taken to help transform farming and agriculture on the continent in light of the harmful effects of climate change.