Bread Launches Hunger 2010 Report

Nov 25th, 2009 12:54 PM UTC
By Beth Adler

This week our partner organization Bread for the World, launched their 2010 Hunger Report A Just and Sustainable Recovery. “To blunt the surge of hunger, unemployment, and the long-term effects of climate change, we need a just and sustainable economic recovery,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World Institute. “If we do not reshape our economy with jobs that allow low-income workers to feed their families and move out of poverty, our recovery will not be sustainable. Like a bubble, it will only collapse again.”

The report notes that hunger is on the rise in both the U.S. and abroad—1.02 billion people are suffering from food insecurity around the world, up 100 million from last year. The report also argues that green jobs are the best investment that the U.S. can make. Green jobs will not only help reduce both unemployment numbers and carbon emissions, but they could also help address hunger and poverty throughout the developing world.

Yesterday’s launch panel included a host of engaging speakers. Robert Greenstein, the Executive Director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, described how the U.S. could address the financial crisis, including by financing an expanded food stamps program. Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, discussed how green jobs could provide opportunity for the poor and unemployed, emphasizing that Congress’ climate legislation must have a strong greens jobs component. Gawain Kripke, Director of Policy and Research at Oxfam America, cautioned that climate change is the next big crisis, noting that climate solutions must have pro-poor impacts, especially for developing countries.

If you’re interested in checking out the full report, it’s available here, along with some cool interactive tools.

Here’s video of the launch panel:

TAGS: Bread for the World, Food Security in Focus, Policy News