Latin America: Confronting Climate Change, Hunger, and Economic Strains

Natural cataclysms, exacerbated by global warming, continue to plague the entire planet. In recent years, Latin America has once again borne the brunt of climate change. The prospects for the region remain uncertain, clouded by low growth, social unrest, and declining trust in democratic institutions. These factors are further complicated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left many countries grappling with economic recovery and social instability.

Climate-related events and extreme weather conditions have severely affected agricultural productivity, resulting in lower yields and higher food prices. In 2023, hunger reached 41 million people in the region, with one in ten children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. According to the United Nations’ Regional Panorama of Food Security and Nutrition 2024, “this is a sobering figure and suggests there is a long way to go in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in the Region.”

Latin America and the Caribbean are the second most climate-vulnerable regions globally, surpassed only by Asia. Approximately 74% of the sub-continents analyzed face a high frequency of extreme weather events, which threaten to undo the progress made in reducing hunger and malnutrition over the past decade. These events include drought, floods, and hurricanes, which disrupt food supply chains and drive up food prices, as outlined in the report. The report suggests that these challenges are compounded by structural issues like local and international conflicts, economic slowdowns, and various crises. These factors have led to an increase in malnutrition rates, with the rate of subcutrition increasing by 1.5 percentage points between 2019 and 2023 in all countries affected by extreme climatic events.

Background Factors and Economic Slowdowns

The high levels of inequality and lack of access to healthy diets are particularly alarming. In countries experiencing economic recessions, the most vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected. In the Caribbean, the hunger rate peaked at 17.2% in the last two years, while in Mesoamerica, the rate remained relatively stable at 5.8%. Moderate or severe food insecurity, however, saw progress for the second consecutive year, with 19.7 million fewer affected people in 2023 than in 2022, according to United Nations Report. Despite these gains, the figures remain concerning: more than 187 million people, out of a total population of 630 million, experienced food insecurity in 2023. This slight decrease is attributed to economic recovery efforts and social protection programs aimed at improving food accessibility in various South American countries.

For example, in Brazil, the national coordination meeting of the Movement of Rural Workers Without Land (MST) in January advocated for a popular agrarian reform. The statement, signed by 400 MST leaders in 23 States of the country, read, “This agrarian reform is considered a possible way to overcome the destruction of the environment and social inequality.” The MST denounces the destructive model of agricultural business and is committed to advancing on two fundamental points by 2025: the defense of land, territory, and goods of municipalities, and the production of healthy food for all Brazilians. The movement emphasizes the importance of promoting agroecology, respecting the diversity of biomes, fighting against agrotoxics, and strengthening peasant cooperation and agro-industrialization.”

Climate Change and Economic Resilience

In its January report, the United Nations Development Programme (UDP) identifies climate change, weak economic growth, low productivity, structural inequalities, and distrust in political institutions as the five most critical factors shaping Latin America and the Caribbean’s future. Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality, impacting agriculture, economic trade, and energy production. The report specifically mentions “the frequent and serious droughts that affect agriculture, trade, and energy production daily,” highlighting the immediate and urgent need for action. According to the UNDP, if current climatic trends continue, “these pressures could compromise the quality of life and the resilience of the population.” By 2080, nearly half of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean could face severe water shortages, potentially leading to a grave water crisis.

Although the economic growth rate for Latin America and the Caribbean is projected at 2.5% for 2025, this is still below the global average and insufficient to significantly reduce poverty. Families in urban areas, closely linked to market dynamics, are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks. Rural poverty remains higher, but urban poverty is increasing faster, placing new pressures on urban centers. UNDP stress that “regional productivity and employment growth need to hit specific high improvement”. Nonetheless, the slow economic growth and systemic issues underline the region’s fundamental challenges.

According to UNDP, the region needs to focus on “the creation of jobs and enterprises based on knowledge and innovation, especially in the sectors of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),” However, the economic growth of particular countries continues to withstand the tension between those propositions and the implementation of actual agenda. “The systematic dismantling of science and research in the last years, and the significant reduction of budgets for education go against what international specialists recommend as a priority,” said government experts.

Structural inequalities are exacerbated by the digital divide, as Latin America and the Caribbean struggle to fully benefit from digitization and artificial intelligence without bridging the gap between low-income families and rural areas. The UNDP programs highlight the critical need to upgrade basic infrastructure and enhance digital literacy to mitigate these disparities and ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are equitably distributed.

Social inequalities, such as the disproportionate responsibility on women for domestic tasks and childcare, hinder their full participation in the economy. Policies aimed at reducing these burdens and increasing women’s economic contributions will help close these gender gaps and boost economic growth. The absence of such initiatives risks perpetuating the economic stagnation and inequalities that have, up until now, undermined overall regional development.

The distrust in the political systems due to persistent inequalities has severely eroded citizen confidence in democracy. When states fail to meet the basic needs of local communities, this further undermines civic engagement and intensifies divisions, all challenging the democratic fabric of the continent. In such circumstances where citizen confidence in the democratic system diminishes, the justification for radical solutions, such as coups, becomes almost acceptable; considering they improve people’s life and safety conditions that would otherwise remain unresolved.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As Latin America confronts these multifaceted challenges, it is crucial to implement sustainable solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Efforts to mitigate climate change, improve agricultural productivity, and reduce social and economic inequalities must be at the forefront of national and international agendas. This interconnectedness between social and political transformation, economic strength, and a supportive role towards transitions is paramount, creating a necessary platform for implementing core solutions. In this intricate patchwork, there are evidently certain key elements that are necessary, important roles played by Integrating Gender Equality objectives in core policy.

By addressing these interconnected issues—from climate change and agricultural challenges to economic disparities and political instability—Latin America and the Caribbean can build a more resilient and equitable future. This involves not only immediate policy changes but also long-term strategies that prioritize sustainable development, innovation, and social justice. Governments, international organizations, and civil societies must work together to implement these changes and ensure that the region can thrive despite its current challenges.

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a daily reality. For example, we refer to the frequent and serious droughts that affect agriculture, trade, and energy production daily. If the current climatic tendencies continue, the UNDP maintains that, without further actions, these pressures could compromise the quality of life and the resilience of the population.” UNDP January Report