02 Jun 2011 10:06:09

Oxfam: Climate change contributing to world food crisis

Oxfam has claimed climate change is among the environmental issues which will lead to more people going hungry, as it launches a new campaign to mitigate a global food crisis.

Officially launched today (June 1st), the campaign calls on governments to address the way they use natural resources as climate change begins to impact on the ability to produce food.

One specific example used was US government policy, which means 15 percent of maize is used for biofuels even during times of food crisis. Oxfam claims the grain required to fill the tank of a SUV could feed a person for 12 months.

Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam, added: "The G20 must invest in the 500 million small scale farms in developing countries which offer the greatest potential for increasing global yields – and they must help them adapt to a changing climate."

Friends of the Earth has also previously spoken out against the use of biofuels, claiming the only way to really reduce CO₂ emissions is by boosting access to transport and creating more efficient vehicles.