Zero Hunger, embodied in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, is a profound commitment by the United Nations to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by 2030. This ambitious goal is not just about addressing immediate food needs but involves a comprehensive approach to ensure everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life. The journey towards Zero Hunger intersects significantly with other SDGs due to its multifaceted nature. It is deeply intertwined with poverty reduction (SDG 1), as poverty is both a cause and effect of hunger. Improving agricultural productivity and sustainable food production (SDG 12) is crucial in this regard, ensuring that food systems become more efficient and less wasteful.
Moreover, Zero Hunger has a direct relationship with good health and well-being (SDG 3). Proper nutrition is fundamental for individual health, impacting educational outcomes, work productivity, and overall quality of life. Implementing this goal means addressing a broad spectrum of issues, from undernutrition and vitamin deficiencies to obesity and diet-related diseases. There is also a strong link between hunger and education (SDG 4), where hunger can be both a barrier to accessing education and a result of educational disparities. Nutrition education and school meal programs are essential components in breaking this cycle.
Gender equality (SDG 5) is another critical aspect. Women and girls often face greater barriers in accessing food and nutritional resources. Empowering them is key to improving food security for entire communities. Furthermore, the Zero Hunger goal is connected to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), as water is essential for food production and preparation. Sustainable management of water resources is, therefore, integral to achieving food security.
Addressing Zero Hunger also means tackling the challenges posed by climate change (SDG 13). Climate change has a direct impact on food availability, affecting crop yields, altering agricultural conditions, and exacerbating food insecurity. Sustainable agricultural practices and resilience building are vital in this context. The goal also dovetails with life on land (SDG 15) and life below water (SDG 14), as healthy ecosystems are crucial for sustainable food sources.
The pursuit of Zero Hunger requires collaborative efforts across nations, sectors, and communities. It calls for innovative solutions, policy changes, and significant investment in agriculture and food systems. It is not only a moral imperative but a foundational step towards a sustainable and equitable future. Achieving Zero Hunger is not just about feeding the hungry but about nourishing nations.
Globally, industrial agriculture threatens critical ecosystem processes on which crop production depends, while 815 million people are undernourished and many more suffer from malnutrition. The second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2), Zero Hunger, seeks to simultaneously address global environmental sustainability and food security challenges. We conducted an integrated literature review organized around three disciplinary perspectives central to realizing SDG 2: ecology and agricultural sciences, nutrition and public health, and political economy and policy science.
