Seaweed Forests Could Be the Solution to Food Insecurity 

Written By Marketing Ecolink

Food insecurity is a global issue that we have all heard about. You might have experienced struggles to feed yourself or your family at some point in your life. If not, you might know of someone that struggles or has struggled. People around the world are hoping for a solution to this global issue, but seaweed might be the scarcity of food solution.  

 

Global Food Scarcity Statistics and Causes

Here are some statistics that would allow you to see the extent of food insecurity in the world: 

  • In 2020, a total of 768 million people were undernourished due to food insecurity. Out of all these people, 282 million are in Africa, 418 million are in Asia, and 60 million are in the Caribbean and Latin America.  

  • Partially due to Covid, it is expected that 660 million people will still experience food insecurity and hunger in 2030.   

  • Compared to men, it’s 10% higher for women to face food insecurity. 

  • 22% of the children in the world have been unable to develop properly due to malnourishment.  

 

Countries with the biggest food insecurity: 

  • Afghanistan 

  • Ethiopia 

  • Nigeria  

  • Somalia 

  • South Sudan  

  • Yemen 

 

Some causes of food insecurity: 

  • War 

  • Climate change 

  • High prices of fertilizers make food expensive 

 

Scarcity of Food Solution: Seaweed 

Though it’s not something we eat commonly in the United States, seaweed is an important to Asian countries, such as Japan, China, and Korea. These countries have eaten seaweed since prehistoric times. Some common dishes in which seaweed is utilized are listed below: 

  • Sushi 

  • Hot pot 

  • Soup 

  • Salad 

  • Snack 

  • Noodles  

 

Other East Asian countries, such as Thailand and the Philippines, eat seaweed in various forms.  

 

Seaweed can be an extremely sustainable food source with immense nutritional value if it’s harvested properly. With the rise in food insecurity, seaweed could be the scarcity of food solution. 

  

Seaweed’s Impact on Climate Change 

Seaweed forests are able to absorb carbon dioxide, which is an extremely beneficial quality that would help with climate change and global warming. Research has determined that these underwater forests might be storing the same amount of carbon as the Amazon rainforest. 

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