Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

AI In International Development: The Benefits and Drawbacks

AI In International DevelopmentThe launch of ChatGPT and other language models is only the latest evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While so much focus is on how AI is reshaping education and the workplace, its impacts go much further. These and other emerging AI applications promise to reshape the world, but more attention is necessary to understand how to best use AI in international development and understand the consequences of using it. AI has the capability to support development programs. It also shows great potential in fostering positive outcomes in health, inclusive governance, economic growth and building environmental safeguards.

The Benefits of Using AI for International Development

The key ways AI can aid international development objectives include the following:

  • Data Analysis: AI technology can analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, including census, surveys and social media, to identify patterns and trends in poverty rates, income inequality and access to basic services. This helps governments make informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively to address poverty.
  • Predictive Modeling & Early Warning Systems: AI can help create predictive models that forecast future poverty rates and identify high-risk populations. It can do similar analyses to predict and serve as early warnings for disasters. This comes with the upside of enabling governments to anticipate and prepare for future challenges and develop targeted interventions.
  • Decision Support Systems: AI can help develop decision support systems that provide real-time information to policymakers on the impact of various policy options. This could help governments make more informed decisions and identify the most effective policy interventions.
  • Digital Financial Inclusion: AI technology can assist to develop digital financial services such as mobile banking and microfinance to provide financial services to underserved populations. This can potentially facilitate poverty alleviation by providing access to credit, savings and insurance to those who may not have had access before.
  • Precision Agriculture: AI also has applications in agriculture where it helps to optimize crop yields, reduce wastage and increase food security. This can help farmers in developing countries to boost income and reduce poverty by increasing productivity and profitability.
  • Supporting Low-Carbon Systems: AI systems could help cities efficiently use resources and enable smart and low-carbon cities and support circular economies that use a broad range of AI tech such as electric cars, smart appliances and smart grids.

Achieving Development Objectives with AI

The aforementioned applications are not hypothetical as governments have already begun using AI tools to achieve development objectives. Some of such achievements are as follows:

  • Health Care Improvements: The government of Rwanda is using AI to deliver medical supplies to remote areas through drones with the help of Zipline Inc. In India, the government launched Aarogya Setu, an AI-based platform to track and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The platform uses AI to collect data on COVID-19 cases and also provide real-time information to citizens.
  • Reporting Violence: In Bangladesh, AI tools have been used to track media reports of violence against women by creating a visualization, emphasizing different and specific cases of gender-based assault.
  • Monitoring Protected Habitats: Private industries like Rainforest Connection are using AI to work with governments in monitoring protected habitats. Rainforest Connection uses AI to recognize patterns of activity related to poaching, including alerts for trucks, cars and motorcycles that poachers use in key protected areas.

The Drawbacks

While AI has the potential to improve many aspects of society, there are also issues that raise concerns. Some of such issues include:

  • Bias and Fairness: AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on and if the data contains biases, the system will reproduce those biases. This could lead to unfair and discriminatory outcomes, particularly for marginalized groups.
  • Ethical Considerations: There are ethical questions around the use of AI, particularly around issues of privacy and consent, according to a USAID report. For example, collecting and using personal data to deliver aid could be an invasion of privacy, particularly in contexts where there are weak data protection laws.
  • Technical Limitations: AI systems are not a silver bullet for poverty reduction and there are limits to what they can do. For example, they may struggle to deal with complex social and cultural contexts or to address the root causes of poverty.
  • Cost and Access: AI technology can be expensive to develop and deploy, and this can limit its use in low-income countries. There may also be issues around access, particularly in areas with poor internet connectivity or limited technical expertise.
  • Accountability and Transparency: There are concerns around the accountability and transparency of AI systems, particularly if using such systems to make decisions about resource allocation or service provision. It may be difficult to understand how the system arrived at a particular decision and to challenge that decision if it is incorrect or unfair.

What is Next?

AI has the power to foster progress by enabling the achievement of long-sought development goals, but it can just as easily be a catalyst for creating further inequality and conflict and strengthening authoritarian governments. This suggests that increased international cooperation and regulation are necessary to curb or control the negative externalities of AI development.

– Andrew Giganti
Photo: Unsplash

The World Bank Initiatives Saving Burkina Faso’s Poor

Burkina Faso's PoorThe landlocked West African nation of Burkina Faso has rapidly become one of the world’s worst humanitarian situations in the past two years as food insecurity, displacement and internal conflict have created a dangerous storm of issues for locals, in particular, Burkina Faso’s poor. 

The country’s issues became worse after January 2022, when army officers staged a coup against the former Prime Minister, who was replaced by the army’s captain, leading to blockades on main roads leading into the country, stopping foreign aid and minimizing the country’s trading. 

The effects of these factors are slowly being reversed by organizations such as the World Bank, who have been working tirelessly to create jobs for the nation’s residents and provide immediate food support, as well as long-term solutions. 

Current state 

In 2018, there were less than 50,000 internally displaced people in the country, and at the end of 2022, that number rose to 1.9 million, showing the devastating impact of the country’s conflict. 

As military groups have blockaded cities, planted explosives on roads and taken down critical infrastructure such as bridges and water points, people have been stuck in the landlocked nation for over a year, with minimal food and supplies. With the country locked up by army blockades, farmers have not been able to move freely, leaving fields abandoned and food production to plummet. 

But farmers are not the only ones left without jobs, as delivery drivers bringing goods into the country have also halted, meaning no goods are on store shelves except cleaning products. 

These factors have collectively led to the number of people facing acute food insecurity multiplying nine-fold, as there is now an estimated 2.6 million food-insecure people. 

A report by the Norwegian Refugee Council has also predicted that the number of people facing acute, catastrophic levels of food insecurity will keep rising as it expects a 42% increase in food insecure people by August. 

Due to the army blockades, the last considerable shipment of food came in September, when 100 tonnes of cereal reached the town of Djibo, feeding an estimated 6,700 families. Only a small portion of those who need immediate assistance. 

The Norwegian report showed that the situation reached such dire levels in 2022, that almost 85% of families’ meals consisted of wild leaves. 

Immediate humanitarian aid continues to drop in the country’s air bridge, but as that is the only method of support reaching the country, the assistance provided is not enough for all of Burkina Faso’s poor. 

Initiating help

All of the above events struck the West African nation terribly. The global assessment by the Norwegian Refugee Council showed that by the end of 2022, there were 1.9 million people in need of aid, a 40% increase from the start of the year. Despite the increase in need, the funding requested by humanitarian organizations was only 42% filled by global NGOs, leaving many to survive without immediate aid. 

But immediate aid isn’t the only way to help the poverty-stricken nation. 

Organizations such as the World Bank have been carrying out job-creating initiatives such as their Forest Investment Program, which collected a total investment of $27 million, from the World Bank, the Climate Investment Funds and the European Union. 

The initiative has led to over 400,000 hectares of currently unused farmland falling under sustainable management. The planting of trees and preparation of the land will benefit more than 500,000 people, creating 5,000 jobs in 32 communes targeted for the project. 

In line with these investments, nearly 6,000 households have received improved stoves in an attempt to cut down on the use of wood for energy and cooking purposes, as well as make it cheaper to use stoves for Burkina Faso’s poor. 

Similarly, the World Bank has also begun executing its Regional Integration initiative, building new roads and improving damaged main roads for truck drivers within the country, as well as to the nearest ports in Togo and Ghana. 

As the country is landlocked alongside 32% of all African countries, access to these ports is of vital importance for the country to continue their exports and imports not only across Africa, but internationally too. One truck driver affected by these improvements told the World Bank that it used to take more than a week to travel 950 kilometers, but it now only takes two days. 

Previous initiatives by the World Bank, which began in 1980, cost the organization $325 million at the time but are now worth more than $14 billion, accounting for 13% of the entire continent’s portfolio. 

These long-term types of initiatives show great promise in helping countries like Burkina Faso in the long run, alongside all African countries.

– Sam Kalantzis
Photo: Flickr

The State of Water in the Nile River

Water in the Nile RiverThe Nile, stretching 4,132 miles, is Africa’s longest river, running through 11 countries, including Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. It is an important water source for millions of people in Africa. Unfortunately, the river is subject to pollution, which poses a significant threat to those living in the countries that depend on it for water. The poor state of water in the Nile River is an issue that threatens the health and well-being of those living near its basin.

The Economic Significance of the Nile River

The Nile River is a vital source of economic activity in many African countries, particularly those in the Nile Basin region. The river supports various economic sectors, including agriculture, fishing, transportation and tourism. Agriculture remains a crucial sector for many African countries, particularly Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia and water in the Nile River serves as a dependable source for irrigation. Farmers are able to cultivate crops year-round and, as a result, agriculture employs a significant percentage of the population.

In Egypt, the agriculture sector provides 28% of jobs and in Sudan, it employs 43% of the population. As of 2020, 75% of employed Ethiopians worked in the agriculture sector. Even though the Nile contains harmful pathogens and pollutants, it provides water and a means of livelihood for more than 200 million people. Inhabitants of the Nile region use the water for drinking, washing and cooking. People also engage in farming in the Nile Basin, growing crops like wheat, corn, banana and sweet potato.

Fishing in the Nile River provides employment for thousands of people. In addition, the industry contributes to the local economy through fish exportation. The river is also a major transportation route in many parts of Africa, and it also supports tourism in some African countries, including Egypt and Uganda.

The Nile River and its Impact on Poverty

Access to clean water in the Nile River remains a significant challenge, with agricultural activities involving pesticides and fertilizers contributing to the pollution problem. These chemicals can enter the river through runoff and irrigation, which can harm aquatic life and affect water quality. Alongside farming activities, the raw sewage and other waste products from industries and manufacturers go directly into the river. The harmful bacteria, viruses and other contaminants in the water can cause cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis, poliovirus and other waterborne disease. In turn, this can result in the endangerment of agricultural productivity and contribute to poverty.

Moreover, in recent years, water scarcity has become an increasing concern in the region. In 2020, Ethan D. Coffee and Justin S. Mankin reported that more than 30% of the people in the region could face water scarcity by 2040. This translates into more than 80 million people who may not be able to access water. This could also limit agricultural and fishing industries while decreasing labor employment.

Minimizing the Nile’s Impact on Poverty

The year 2021 marked a significant milestone in Egypt as the Bahr al-Baqar wastewater treatment plant commenced operations in the northern city of Sinai. Renowned as one of the most expansive wastewater treatment facilities globally, this plant possesses an impressive capacity to treat 5 million cubic meters of wastewater daily—equivalent to the water consumed in 140 million showers.

Aiming to tackle the multifaceted challenges affecting the Nile Basin, Egypt-based social enterprise Bassita launched the VeryNile project in 2018. This initiative focuses on enhancing water management practices. Its primary objective is to reduce poverty and foster economic growth within the Nile River Basin. The VeryNile project progresses in four key directions: cleaning, recycling, prevention and social impact.

Looking Ahead

While the issue of clean water in the Nile River remains unresolved, the ongoing initiatives could help avert more crises. Ultimately, initiatives like the VeryNile project that prioritizes promoting sustainable development practices and empowering local communities to participate in water management processes can potentially bring the tides of progress and lasting change.

– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr

“Degrowth” Model and Improving Living Standards

DegrowthThe idea of economic growth as the key to human progress has been a dominant force in modern society. However, questions about the ecological and social sustainability of endless growth are arising. In light of this, the concept of “degrowth” has emerged as an alternative to the growth paradigm. A degrowth model proposes that societies should move away from a unilateral focus on economic growth and instead prioritize human well-being, ecological sustainability and social equity.

What is Degrowth?

Degrowth challenges the idea of economic growth as the key to human progress. It argues that the pursuit of unlimited growth is not only ecologically unsustainable but also socially unjust. According to degrowth theorists, the current economic system leads to the depletion of natural resources, environmental destruction and widening social inequalities. “The faster we produce and consume goods, the more we damage the environment,” stated Barcelona-based economist Giorgos Kallis. “If humanity is not to destroy the planet’s life support systems, the global economy should slow down.”

A degrowth model centers on the idea that societies need to reduce the emphasis on GDP as the primary measure of improving human well-being and instead focus on sustainable, equitable and regenerative systems. While this may sound radical, evidence suggests that a degrowth model has widespread potential to improve lives around the globe.

Degrowth’s Potential for Poverty Reduction

For instance, economic growth alone has not reduced poverty and inequality. In fact, the gap between rich and poor has widened in recent decades. According to an Oxfam report, “The richest 1% grabbed nearly two-thirds of all new wealth (around $42 trillion) created since 2020, almost twice as much money as the bottom 99% of the world’s population.” In the U.S., the top 1% owns almost as much as the bottom 90% of the population combined. Such stark inequality has real-world consequences: many suffer from a lack of access to basic resources like food, water and health care. Also, there are such issues as political instability, conflict and climate-related disasters.

These issues suggest that the problem is more one of wealth distribution than of underproduction. According to 2019 Economics Noble Prize winners Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, higher growth (GDP) does not guarantee an improvement in livelihoods, especially if GDP is distributed unequally.

Degrowth offers a different vision of society. In this vision, resources are shared more equitably and the needs of all people and the planet are prioritized over the well-being of a few. In a degrowth economy, basic needs like housing, health care, education and food security would be prioritized over the accumulation of wealth and consumer goods. As London-based scholar Jason Hickel summarized, “Degrowth is a planned reduction of energy and resource use designed to bring the economy back into balance with the living world in a way that reduces inequality and improves human well-being.”

For example, in 2018, Barcelona implemented a “right to the city” program, which prioritizes affordable housing, public spaces and public services for all residents, regardless of income. The initiative demonstrates how, by reducing the concentration of wealth, degrowth can help create more just and inclusive societies.

Degrowth’s Environmental Vision

In 2021 alone, humans used an estimated “1.7 Earths worth of resources,” depleting natural resources faster than the planet could replenish them. Such overconsumption is leading to deforestation, water scarcity and climate change, all of which threaten the stability of ecosystems and the survival of many species, including humans.

Degrowth offers a different approach, emphasizing sustainability and regeneration. For example, Amsterdam has implemented a “doughnut economics” model that aims to create a circular economy that operates within the limits of the planet’s resources. This means reducing waste, using renewable energy sources and adopting regenerative agriculture practices.

Degrowth’s Potential for a Better Life

Ultimately, degrowth has the potential to create better lives for people around the globe. Despite the idea that consumption leads to happiness, studies have shown that prioritizing money, earning more and increasing consumption do not necessarily increase happiness. In fact, a recent study of University of British Columbia graduates found that students who prioritized money (nearly 40%) were less happy a year later than those who prioritized time.

Degrowth emphasizes community, cooperation and creativity. By reducing reliance on consumer goods and material possessions, its approach allows people to focus on building meaningful relationships and engaging in fulfilling activities. As University of Surrey professor Tim Jackson explained, “People can flourish without endlessly accumulating more stuff. Another world is possible.’’

Found to be a “resounding success,” recent four-day week trials in the U.K. and Europe support this idea. The reduced work week led to less burnout for workers, without negatively impacting productivity, and reduced fossil fuel consumption.

Looking Ahead

In reimagining society’s approach to progress, the concept of degrowth presents a compelling alternative to the pursuit of endless economic growth. By prioritizing human well-being, ecological sustainability and social equity, degrowth has the potential to address issues of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation. Initiatives like Barcelona’s “right to the city” program and Amsterdam’s “doughnut economics” model demonstrate how degrowth can lead to more just and inclusive societies while ensuring the preservation of our planet’s resources. Ultimately, embracing degrowth offers the promise of happier, more fulfilling lives built on community, cooperation and a sustainable future.

– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Flickr

Renewable Energy in Mozambique Helps Fight Poverty

Renewable Energy in Mozambique
The Southern African country of Mozambique holds great potential for renewable energy. “At 187 gigawatts, Mozambique has the largest power generation potential in Southern Africa from untapped coal, hydro, gas, wind and solar resources,” USAID notes. Mozambique is already equipped with an impressive existing hydro infrastructure, the Cahora Bassa hydro dam being the most notable. Despite this great potential, however, only 34% of Mozambique’s population has access to reliable electricity. Furthermore, in 2022, 60% of the nation’s people live in conditions of poverty.

Renewable Energy in Mozambique Brings Benefits

Recent research undertaken by The Rockefeller Foundation found that investing in renewable energy could create 25 million direct jobs in the energy sector across Asia and Africa by 2030. Furthermore, the improvements that reliable energy access would provide through renewable energy could create close to 500 million new jobs in sectors such as health care, education, agriculture and entrepreneurship. A quarter of these jobs would form in sub-Saharan Africa.

Indeed, with Mozambique’s established wealth of natural green energy sources, the nation would likely be one of the major beneficiaries of these new jobs, which would help to alleviate poverty. The transition to renewable energy holds the benefit of job creation, a positive benefit for a country with an unemployment rate of 3.9% in 2021. With a GDP per capita of approximately $491, in 2021, Mozamibique’s economy could benefit from an increasingly productive workforce.

Instances of investing in renewable energy in Mozambique have already created jobs, with the construction of the Mocuba solar plant employing more than 1,050 Mozambicans at peak construction and now producing 79 GWh per year. For context, that is the “equivalent of the electricity consumption of more than 170,000 households in Mozambique,” according to the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries. The Mocuba solar plant opened as recently as August 2019. Solar power already helps to power 700 schools and 800 other public buildings in Mozambique.

Mozambique is already a net exporter of energy in the Southern African region. This is mostly due to its developed hydro infrastructure. With large solar projects underway, the value of these established trade relationships could significantly increase. Via an effective distribution and transmission network, Mozambique would also be able to export energy to new customers. This would bring significant GDP growth which, if distributed effectively, could benefit the population at large.

Mozambique’s Power Company Sets Targets

Electricidade de Mocambique (EDM), Mozambique’s state-owned energy company, has put in place a policy to increase installed energy capacity to more than 6,000 MW by 2030 and aims for 20% integration of renewable energy in the country’s power grid. EDM believes that this policy will attract more private investment to Mozambique’s energy sector and ensure the development of a sustainable workforce. Indeed, as the world aligns with net-zero targets and the topic of going green remains prominent, these jobs are likely to remain relevant in the future.

Accelerating Renewable Energy in Mozambique

In January 2023, power development company Ncondezi Energy signed a land agreement with the Government of Mozambique for a 300 MW hybrid solar project, which will help contribute to the government’s goal of achieving universal access to electricity by 2030. Additionally, in 2021, the European Development Fund committed €15 million to the development of renewable energy in Mozambique by investing in entrepreneurs and companies. This will help to reduce the concentration of energy poverty in rural areas.

Looking Ahead

Investment in renewable energy has seen great success in several countries, such as China. It has created jobs, increased reliable access to energy and raised GDP, ultimately reducing poverty. Through similar initiatives, this process can be emulated in Mozambique. By investing in renewable energy to help a country with an abundance of natural green energy sources, more people in Mozambique may see a future free from poverty.

– Saul Gunn
Photo: Flickr

5 Ethical Chocolate Brands Fighting Against Child Exploitation

Ethical Chocolate BrandsThe chocolate industry is a lucrative trade, with multi-billion dollar chocolate brands producing some of the most well-known sweet treats on the planet. Yet behind the façade, these companies hide a despairing reality, continually reluctant to protect vulnerable children in cocoa-growing communities.

Child labor can be witnessed on many cocoa farms across Africa, but it is most prevalent in Ghana and Cotê d’Ivoire, the two largest exporters of cocoa beans. Currently, in these locations, more than 1.5 million children miss school and work in the cocoa industry. Exposed to dire working conditions, toxic chemicals and inhumane punishments, many child laborers work up to 100 hours each week. The most common reason for hiring child workers is that cocoa farm owners do not earn a profit that would sustain adult salaries. In Ghana, farmers make roughly one dollar a day, and in Cotê d’Ivoire, this figure is worryingly worse. Given both countries’ large contributions to the global chocolate trade, they only earn about 6% of the total profits in the multi-billion dollar industry.

While the chocolate industry has been known for perpetuating a vicious cycle of child exploitation as greed fuels the low prices of cocoa beans, a growing number of ethical chocolate brands are dedicated to eradicating child labor and improving wages for farmers.

5 Ethical Chocolate Brands Fighting Against Child Exploitation

  1. Tony’s Chocolonely (Netherlands) – Tony’s Chocolonely is a Dutch confectionary brand launched by journalists shocked at how rife child labor was within the industry. Creating a chocolate company that is 100% humane was the goal. Its cocoa beans are easily traceable, as the company only works with two distinct partners. Necessary pay increases are offered to farmers, adding Tony’s Chocolonely premium, which is almost $350 for Ghanaian farmers, in addition to the Fairtrade premium. The company also emphasizes the need for teamwork in its mission, asking consumers to sign petitions and encourage their governments to introduce stronger laws that demand more transparency in the industry.
  2. Lucocoa (U.K.)  – Founded in London in 2015 by the human rights activist Amarachi Clarke, Lucocoa has the goal of promoting ethical chocolate. On its company blog, it frequently highlights outrage about child labor in the industry, emphasizing that the trade is still in need of a “chocolate revolution.” The company is also part of the Ethical Chocolate Register, which comprises the most ethical and sustainable chocolate brands worldwide.
  3. Tosier (U.K.) – Tosier is a family-run chocolatier based in Suffolk that wishes to make the industry as transparent as possible. It proposes that Fairtrade is not good enough anymore, as it does not actively enforce child-labor-free cocoa, suggesting businesses should strive to be part of the Direct Trade. Companies practicing this buy directly from the source and initiate strong relationships with farmers, providing them with a more substantial wage than big corporations otherwise would. The brand proudly emphasizes on its website, “Small maker. Big values.”
  4. Beyond Good (USA) – Beyond Good is a U.S. company that both sources its cocoa and makes its chocolate in Madagascar, providing a range of skilled jobs in its factory to 105 local people. By manufacturing chocolate at its source, Beyond Good can work alongside its farmers, provide safe practices and offer stable incomes. Working with the Bristol Zoological Society, this company is able to protect endangered lemurs that inhabit the trees within its 375 hectares of land. Its unique business model benefits humans and animals alike.
  5. Shahamana Farms and Chocolate (Ghana) – A former child laborer in the chocolate industry, Hon. Nelson Donkor did not attend school for many years, instead working long hours on a cocoa farm in Ghana. His first-hand experiences prompted his desire to create a chocolate brand that was fair and free from corruption. Now the owner of his own chocolate farm, he urges consumers to buy chocolate from companies directly in touch with farmers and emphasizes the necessity for employees to receive living wages. He says, “With fair prices, child slavery will be a thing of the past.”

Long gone are the days when consumers could use ignorance as an excuse for funding unethical corporate giants that utilize child labor. When consumers pack pressure onto chocolate brands, they can enforce change. Investing in ethical chocolate is an investment in a child’s future.

– Yasmin Hailes
Photo: Flickr

5 Ethical Farming Campaigns Everyone Should Know

Ethical Farming CampaignsThe Fairtrade label is a mark of ethically sourced products. Established in 1992, Fairtrade International works with more than 1.7 million farmers and laborers across more than 73 countries to help them secure fair prices for their crops, among other endeavors. Several Fairtrade campaigns aim to uphold the rights of farmers in developing countries.

5 Ethical Farming Campaigns

  1. The Living Incomes Campaign. Fairtrade certification on cocoa products does not guarantee farmers a living income, especially when the global price of cocoa falls, as it frequently does. A Fairtrade report from 2019, “Craving a Change in Chocolate,” found that the average income for cocoa farmers in Ghana stood at around a dollar a day, which is less than 50% of a living income, defined as enough to cover both farming costs and living essentials for a household. The U.K. Fairtrade Foundation launched the Living Incomes Campaign in 2019 to address the issue. The public campaign called on the government and chocolate industry to secure a living wage for the millions of families worldwide whose livelihoods depend on cocoa production. In addition to the usual income for their products and labor, farming co-operatives partnering with Fairtrade International receive a Fairtrade premium, “an extra sum of money paid on top of the selling price that farmers or workers invest in projects of their choice,” according to Fairtrade International. Over the last five years, Fairtrade cocoa farming co-operatives have received more than £107 million (about $133 million) worth of Fairtrade premiums to put toward projects to improve their businesses and local communities.
  2. Fairtrade Flowers. Many of the flowers sold by major florists come from farms in Latin America and East Africa where employees, mostly women, often work in hazardous conditions and endure exploitation, discrimination and even sexual abuse. On Fairtrade flower farms, however, employees work in good working conditions with a “Fairtrade floor wage,” meaning wages must be higher than the international poverty line, even if that wage is higher than the local minimum. Workers are also empowered to decide how their farms’ Fairtrade premium is invested. By consciously choosing to purchase Fairtrade flowers, one can ensure employees in the flower industry have safer working environments, fair working terms and job security.
  3. Fairtrade Campaigns to Address Impacts of Extreme Weather Patterns. Farmers in developing countries across the world are experiencing recurrent extreme weather events, which impact income and food security. The Great Big Green Week in the U.K. is a gathering of supporters to show solidarity with farmers who are taking action to reduce the impacts of extreme weather patterns and establish climate resilience. This Fairtrade movement of supporters also calls on the U.K. government to provide funding to support these efforts of farmers and take greater action to address the issue of extreme weather events. This year’s Great Big Green Week will take place between June 10 to June 18, 2023 and involves several initiatives and efforts to take action and raise awareness. One can also get involved by signing a Community Declaration to call on the government to take action.
  4. Fairtrade Fortnight. The annual Fairtrade Fortnight, a two-week celebration of Fairtrade’s work, took place in the U.K. from February 27 to March 12, 2023. To mark the event, Fairtrade commissioned sustainability consultancy 3Keel to research the threats posed by extreme weather patterns to some of the U.K.’s best-loved food products, such as bananas, coffee and cocoa, sourced from developing countries. On February 28, 2023, the U.K. Fairtrade Foundation opened an “immersive retail space” called the Endangered Aisle on Shoreditch High Street, London. The pop-up event aimed to convey the need to protect the U.K.’s favorite foods and highlight the tangible actions that consumers can take to help out. Fairtrade also held seven online Big Fairtrade Get Togethers. Free of charge, these “Get Togethers” offered supporters the chance to hear experts and Fairtrade farmers discuss how to ensure a sustainable future for the U.K.’s favorite international foods.
  5. Fairtrade Communities. Over the course of the Fairtrade Fortnight, local Fairtrade communities organized more than 600 events across the U.K. Recognized since 2003, Fairtrade Community Groups consist of local people who care about improving the lives of low-income producers. Through local activism, these groups aim to encourage the sale of Fairtrade products, advocate for the Fairtrade cause with local politicians and spread awareness in schools, businesses and places of worship. The U.K.’s Fairtrade Foundation announced that this spring it will introduce a new online campaigning platform to facilitate Fairtrade campaigns and make it easier for new members to join the local Fairtrade community.

Looking Ahead

So many of the world’s favorite commodities depend on the work of farmers and employees in developing countries. By supporting ethical farming campaigns, one can ensure fair pay and decent working conditions for these workers and contribute to the establishment of a more sustainable global system of farming.

– Samuel Chambers
Photo: Flickr

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Biotechnology Can Alleviate Food Insecurity 

Biotechnology Can Alleviate Food Insecurity According to the World Food Program (WFP), more than 345 million people worldwide face acute food insecurity. While the causes of food insecurity are man, the current biggest contributors include an unstable supply chain and extreme weather and sanctions imposed because of the Russia-Ukraine War. This food crisis is a significant issue, but new research suggests that biotechnology can alleviate food insecurity through industrial biofertilizers and fermentation.

Biofertilizer

Russia’s war on Ukraine has disrupted not only food security but the supply of industry-standard chemical fertilizers. In the face of delays and high costs, underprivileged farmers are going without or substituting with cheaper, less-effective fertilizers. Smaller harvests in the upcoming seasons could decrease food production.

While using chemical fertilizer may be the standard practice, its excessive use has downsides. According to a 2022 article by Current Research in Microbial Sciences, these fertilizers can contain pollutants that harm soil quality. Living or latent plant microbes in biofertilizers, on the other hand, can naturally improve plant growth, improve soil fertility, enhance nutrient absorption and increase crop yield. That is because these microorganisms, like fungi, can be beneficial bacteria.

A research team at the University of Córdoba in Spain recently confirmed that a specific strain of fungus stimulated cucumber plants’ response to iron deficiency. This resulted in an increase in and overall growth of the plants in iron-deficient soil. Additionally, countries such as the Philippines will soon offer biofertilizers to local farmers to decrease dependence on the importation of chemical or non-organic fertilizers.

While biofertilizers are not at the stage to replace chemical fertilizers completely, mixing in and substituting with chemical fertilizers is possible, depending on the specific needs. Based on estimates, the value of the biofertilizer market could grow to $3.9 billion in 2025. However, there is a need for further promotion and development to facilitate the distribution of affordable biofertilizers on a large scale for this biotechnology to alleviate food insecurity.

Fermentation

The world population is expected to grow an additional 2 billion by 2050 and meat consumption will likely increase by more than 70%. Lab-grown protein or protein made from precision fermentation could help meet this new demand and feed millions. Precision fermentation, a bio-process for producing protein, uses only a fraction of the land required by the most efficient agricultural means to produce protein. The interest in this new, adaptable process to create alternative proteins is evident in the 136 companies (up 12%) in 2022 that invested in fermentation.

Start-ups such as Solar Food make novel protein powders with a 65-70% protein makeup using this method. The process involves fermenting a microbe in a bioreactor by feeding it nutrients in the air. A thicker substance forms and is later dried and turned into a powder. Solar Food, based in Finland, claims its sustainable process is 20% more efficient than photosynthesis. With one hundred times more efficient in converting energy to calories (compared to animals), it can be an endless food supply. Production will begin in 2024, with every step of the process said to be scalable.

The First Hybrid Center

The first-ever “hybrid meat innovation” center will open in Singapore later in 2023, offering a mix of animal cells, plant-based meat and fermented microbes. Meanwhile, the National University of Singapore achieved high-precision 3-D printing of edible, cell-based meat using plant proteins commonly found in barley, corn and rye flour. This process lowers production costs and is more sustainable than prior versions that used synthetic polymers. Additionally, India, home to the world’s largest cow population, will have the first government initiative to produce lab-grown meat, with the government designating more than $160 billion to the program. Sourcing meat from cow cells rather than animals will likely reduce land use for beef production by up to 95%.

The Future of Biotechnology

As ideal as biotechnology endeavors sound, there is still room for much work with respect to alleviating food insecurity. Some hurdles to overcome include decreasing production costs, ensuring the use of renewable energy and educating farmers. And incentivizing farmers to use biofertilizers and guaranteeing alternative proteins are available to vulnerable populations could be a vital step. If seen not as a novelty trend but as a versatile resource, biotechnology has the potential to eradicate food insecurity in affected areas.

– Clare Calzada
Photo: Flickr

Laos Tourism Industry on the Up

Laos tourismLaos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia that borders Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China. With a population of around 7.8 million people, the country of Laos relies heavily on agriculture, foreign aid and investments to keep its economy afloat. At one point, three-fourths of Laos’s population was employed in agriculture, with particular engagement in rice farming. Because the forest covers two-fifths of the country’s land, farming and agriculture are an integral part of the culture of Laos.

As of 2023, much of the population lives in poverty. In 2013, more than 80% of the population was making under $2.5 dollars per day. Laos, however, is a beautiful country. The landscape features rivers, waterfalls and beautiful architectural sites. The country has become a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty. Laos has several spas and resorts that operate to encourage tourists to visit and experience comfort and luxury.

COVID-19 Affects Tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic affected many industries, especially tourism. Tourism accounts for 10% of the global gross domestic product and more than 320 million jobs worldwide. As countries went on lockdown, jobs that relied on tourism became severely impacted. More than 100 million jobs were impacted because of the pandemic. Nearly three years since the beginning of the pandemic, many tourism-dependent countries continue to struggle.

The tourism sector in Laos has been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a substantial decline in international tourist arrivals. As reported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the outbreak has led to a staggering 74% reduction in the number of visitors. Consequently, businesses operating within this industry have experienced significant disruption, with a detrimental impact on their overall revenue, estimated to range between 70% and 80%. To address these challenges and foster recovery, the Lao PDR Tourism COVID-19 Recovery Roadmap for the period of 2021 to 2025 has been developed. This strategic plan aims to cultivate a tourism industry that is both resilient and sustainable, capable of withstanding future shocks.

Laos Tourism

Laos’s natural beauty is a spectacle that many people feel inclined to experience. With the reopening of previously locked-down countries, Laos has seen a reemergence of tourists entering the country. The country has opened its borders back up to tourists and is beginning to reap the benefits once again. China has officially allowed its residents to travel again, and because Laos borders China, a lot of its tourism comes from its neighbors to the north. On March 4, Laos set its largest Laos-China highspeed railway record in a single day, with 10,000 passengers entering the country.

In 2019, Chinese tourists accounted for a quarter of the country’s 4.7 million visitors. Laos is now expecting to see more than 1.4 million visitors from foreign countries and generate around $340 million in 2023. Tourism also contributes to job creation in Laos. In 2018, there were more than 114,000 tourism-related jobs created for the local people of Laos.

Looking Ahead

Now that many of the lockdowns have been lifted across Southeast Asia, Laos’s tourism sector looks promising once again. With the continuous influx of Chinese tourists and hopefully more from all around the globe, Laos is looking to restore a vital part of its economy. There is hope that the country can continue to benefit from tourism as it did pre-pandemic.

– Olivia MacGregor
Photo: Flickr

A Closer Look at Tuberculosis in Brazil

Tuberculosis in BrazilTuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial illness, which primarily affects the lungs. The most common form of TB is the pulmonary form and the health outcomes for infected people are subject to social factors including poverty, poor access to health care and widespread stigma. The following is a look into the prevalence of TB in Brazil and ongoing efforts to fight the disease.

Key Facts

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized tuberculosis as a global epidemic for 30 years. Brazil sits at 20th in the world in terms of the number of recorded cases year on year. It is one of 22 countries where the burden of the disease is high based on considerations. As of 2020, the incidence of TB in Brazil was 45 in every 100,000. People with TB in the country often struggle to afford treatment. The care barriers that arise from economic deprivation negatively affect health outcomes for those who have been diagnosed. Also, people with TB cannot access treatment and care and the transmission rates are increasing.

A survey conducted from 2019 to 2021 by the National TB Programme of Brazil alongside the University of Espirito Santo and the Global TB Programme revealed that 48% of TB-impacted households in Brazil had been forced to spend over 20% of their annual income on treatment. The average cost from the onset of symptoms to the conclusion of treatment came to $1573. Certain demographics are also more vulnerable to TB in Brazil. Homeless Brazilians are 56% more likely to contract the disease and those who are in prison have an increased risk of 26%. Furthermore, Brazilians living with HIV/AIDS are 21% more likely to contract TB. As of 2020, 11% of all TB patients with known HIV status were HIV-positive.

Solutions and Progress

As of 2019, the treatment success rate for TB in Brazil was 69%. In 2017, the country made a commitment to eliminate the disease by reducing transmission by 90% and deaths by 95%. Early in 2023, the Brazilian government launched the Inter-ministerial Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis and Other Socially Determined Diseases in an effort to meet the aforementioned goals by the end of the decade. The committee will involve collaboration between departments across Brazil’s government. It aims to address the core drivers of the country’s high TB burden, such as poverty, malnutrition and financial insecurity.

Looking Ahead

Although TB treatment is free due to interventions by Brazil’s public health sector, many Brazilians who suffer from the disease also face financial challenges when trying to access high-cost treatment and care. This is especially true for those living in poverty, as they are more likely to go down with the illness. The wide-ranging effects of a TB diagnosis from health, financial and employment difficulties suggest that there is a need for a multisectoral response in efforts to address the crisis. On the bright side, Brazil continues to work toward meeting its target of eliminating the disease by 2030.

– Martha Probert
Photo: Flickr