To achieve ‘zero hunger’ we need to address colonialism, racism, and climate change

This article explores the historical and contemporary connections between colonialism, racism, and climate change and examines their impacts on hunger and malnutrition today. It argues that Sustainable Development Goal 2 of zero hunger cannot be realised without addressing the historical and present-day effects of colonialism and racial inequalities, which continue to shape economic differences and food insecurity.

European colonialisation, spanning from the 1400s to the late 1900s, left a legacy of economic inequality. During this period, the ideology of a racial hierarchy was invented to justify the enslavement and genocide of non-European peoples. The industrial rise of rich nations relied on the vast wealth generated by the exploitation of enslaved labour as well as the exploitation of resources from the Global South. In turn, the industrial revolution also laid the foundation for the creation of today’s climate crisis. For example, former European colonial powers are estimated to be responsible for 23.4% of cumulative CO2 emissions while currently constituting 6.7% of the world’s population. 

The article examines two examples, one from Haiti and one from Pakistan, to highlight the ongoing effects of colonialism, racism, and climate change. Haiti, following independence in 1804, was forced to pay French slaveholders’ compensation to secure their sovereignty: this amounted to the equivalent of an estimated USD 21 billion loss to its economy. Pakistan suffered severe climate change-driven flooding in 2022, resulting in damages estimated around USD 40 billion, despite the country contributing just 0.3% of global carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial era. In both cases, historic inequalities laid the foundation for vulnerability to natural disasters and persistent levels of hunger and malnutrition today.

Colonialism has led to enduring economic inequalities across the Global South, which combined with the unequal impacts of climate change have a direct impact on hunger and malnutrition. Wealthy nations' historical exploitation of these regions has created weaker economies that rely on foreign companies that prioritise profit and do not benefit local economies. For example, many countries in Africa import food due to a historical focus on producing cash crops for the Global North such as tea, coffee, and tobacco) instead of growing staple crops like wheat, corn, and native grains to the detriment of domestic needs. This has contributed to widespread food insecurity. Furthermore, climate change is intensifying adverse weather events and contributing to widespread food insecurity, crippling agricultural production, devastating livelihoods, and forcing people from their homes. These disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, further deepening hunger and malnutrition. 

To address these interconnected challenges, the humanitarian and development systems will require restructuring. The current imbalance of power between international and local and national actors will need to shift to being locally envisioned, locally led, and locally owned, to ensure that humanitarian and development efforts are contextualised, appropriate, and sustainable. The ongoing impacts of colonialism, racism, and climate change must be addressed if the world is to decrease malnutrition and achieve zero hunger.