The United Nations estimates global food prices are almost 25% higher than they were a year ago, and a record number of people are on the brink of starvation.
- Chris Barrett, professor of agriculture and economics at Cornell University, said the food crisis is causing “serious humanitarian consequences” like making healthy diets unaffordable, even for working people.
- The major factors contributing to the situation are disruptions from Covid-19, climate change and the Russia-Ukraine war, said Barrett.
- The U.S. government should extend social safety nets to the rest of the world to shield people from hunger, he said.
SEE ALSO | Paper shortage could cause problems at polls this November

The United Nations estimates global food prices are almost 25% higher than they were a year ago (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)