Species conservation experts warn that increasing loss of natural habitats, increased deforestation and exploitation of wild animals could lead to a growing number of pandemics. Scientists warn that the rapid rate of deforestation and the uncontrolled expansion of agriculture is creating what is referred to as a “perfect storm”. 

Over 132 million people could go hungry in 2020, three times more than in previous years. This could be due to the pandemic that has disrupted food supply chains, paralyzing economies and eroding consumers' purchasing power. Some projections show that by the end of the year, COVID-19 will have caused more people to die of starvation than from virus infections. 

This is happening in the United Kingdom, where it is estimated that around 400,000 chickens destined for market will be culled due to the closure of some slaughterhouses resulting from COVID-19 infections. According to the British Poultry Council (BPC), stopping production in even one large slaughterhouse can have significant impacts throughout the food chain. Around 20 million birds are raised and slaughtered per week in the UK. 

More than half of the Lebanese population risks a food crisis after the explosion of the port of Beirut. The accident has in fact worsened the country's many problems. According to the United Nations, Lebanese people are in danger of not being able to provide for their basic food needs by the end of the year. In fact, Lebanon relies on imports for 85 percent of its food requirements and the destruction of the silos in the port of Beirut could worsen the situation. 

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has launched a new publication, The Little Book of Green Nudges, which aims to inspire around 200 million students around the world to adopt environmentally friendly habits and more sustainable lifestyles. The book contains a guide to implementing techniques to encourage students and staff to adopt more sustainable behaviors. 

This was stated by Unep in a recent report where it identifies 16 ways in which policy makers could improve their climate policies “from farm to fork”. By adding an improvement in diets and reduction in food waste to national climate plans, it is estimated that emission reductions of at least 20 percent could be achieved.