SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 2 calls on us to end hunger, achieve food security and better nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is an important step towards combating global hunger. The primary concern is ensuring the long-term food supply, which will also create income and jobs.
Sponsorship team
Prof. Dr. Annette Eschenbach
Faculty: Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Department(s): Earth Sciences
Profile: Prof. Dr. Annette Eschenbach
Prof. Dr. Sascha Rohn
Faculty: Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Department(s): Chemistry
Profile: Prof. Dr. Sascha Rohn
Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneider
Faculty: Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Department(s): Research Unit Sustainability and Global Change
Profile: Prof. Dr. Uwe A. Schneider
What are your research areas? What research projects are you currently working on? How do these relate to “your” SDG?
My working group studies the interrelations between land usage, society, and the environment on the local, regional, and global levels. How can land usage help foster sustainable development? What types of land usage regulations make good sense and are necessary for achieving political objectives? We rely on a number of mathematical models to find the answers to our interdisciplinary research questions.
Selected current research projects:
- Analysis of 35 global biodiversity hot spots: To what extent do climate change and population growth affect regional food production and thus also the existence of important natural habitats? What possibilities are available to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity through more efficient agricultural production methods and changing eating habits?
- Analysis of the impact of climate scenarios on Indian agriculture: How big of an effect is climate change having on conventional regional agricultural production systems in India? In combination with population growth and economic developments, how is this affecting food security? How significant are the technical adaptation possibilities?
Additionally, in other projects I am looking at:
- Water consumption and water efficiency in food production in Brazil
- Ways to protect forests by investing in forest-friendly usage and processing of forest products; local case studies of indigenous communities in India, Brazil, and Nicaragua
- Technological and political options for improving the food supply and combating poverty in Namibia, Malawi, and Nigeria
- Systematic protection of biodiversity in Europe
- Ways for coffee plantations in Nicaragua to adapt to climate change
- Land usage conflicts between bioenergy and food production in Europe and China
- The external costs of food production and ways to internalize these
All of these projects relate closely to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). We use mathematical models to calculate the direct and indirect costs of food production in relation to population growth and climate change as well as technical and political developments. At the same time, we also examine the potential and benefits of adaptations for both food producers and consumers.
How and why did you become interested in this topic?
I grew up in an agricultural setting and completed vocational training as a farmer before starting my university studies. Math was always my favorite subject in school, followed by the natural sciences. Protecting nature and all of its biological diversity has always been important to me. In my research, I use mathematical modeling and programming to find solutions to agricultural and land usage issues. This interdisciplinary and empirical science is thus an almost perfect combination of my interests and experience.
What activities are you planning as part of the SDG sponsorship? What possibilities do you see in (interdisciplinary) networking with other members of your sponsorship team?
I see this sponsorship as an opportunity to explore new interdisciplinary interfaces and tap into their full potential. For example, in conjunction with soil science (Prof. Eschenbach) and agricultural economics, we are better able to determine which of the many ecosystem functions of the soil are especially important in sustainable food production. In cooperation with Prof. Rohn, food quality issues can be better linked with resource scarcity aspects to find ways of eradicating hunger.
Does your topic also relate to any of the 16 other SDGs?
One important fundamental condition for eradicating hunger is the production of sufficient good-quality food by means of agriculture. There is a very strong connection to nearly all of the other SDGs through agriculture. Nearly 40% of our planet’s land surface is used for agriculture. What is more, agriculture is the largest consumer of water and one of the primary sources of nitrous gas and methane emissions. Food quality and eating habits significantly influence our health and well-being. In many developing countries, agriculture is also an important source of income.