Could Elon Musk End World Hunger Instead of Buying Twitter?

  May 16, 2022 Jah      No comments
Elon Musk May Purchase Twitter

Since Elon Musk made the decision to buy Twitter for $44 billion, a lot of people have complained that he could do much better things with the money. One example, I have seen over and over is that he could have used the money to end world hunger instead. These are some examples of tweets making this claim.

World hunger is likely being brought up repeatedly because of this Elon Musk tweet referring to the World Food Programme (WFP).

 My first thought when I read these claims is that if world hunger really could be eradicated with just $44 billion, surely we would have done it already. It turns out that there’s a lot of complexity to ending world hunger.

Before I get into this though, it’s important to point out that Musk isn’t using his own money to buy Twitter.

“Elon Musk says he has lined up $46.5 billion in financing to buy Twitter,” according to the AP. The money used to buy the social media giant isn’t coming from Musk’s bank account, Instead, “the money would come from Morgan Stanley and other banks, some of it secured by his huge stake in the electric car maker.”

Source: Musk says he has $46.5B in financing ready to buy Twitter | AP News

The banks lending money to Musk to buy Twitter might not be interested in investing in a plan to end world hunger. But let's say Musk did have $44 billion lying around, could he realistically use it to end world hunger?

To answer this question, we have to understand what causes hunger? According to the World Food Programme (WFP): 

“60 percent of the world’s hungry people live in zones affected by conflict.” 
Hunger is a major problem in war zones like Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When a war is raging, access to starving people is often very difficult and dangerous.

“With the help of local partners, we (the World Food Programme) reach those in need even in the most remote areas, using all-terrain vehicles and dropping food from planes when all other avenues are closed.”
Bringing about lasting peace is the best way to tackle hunger brought on by conflict, but that is far easier said than done.

The WFP also lists “climate change-related shocks such as floods or drought” as a major cause of world hunger. It affects the “livelihoods of millions of people, aggravating poverty, hunger and social tensions.”

Wars, floods, droughts, and disease can cause famines

Food loss is another problem. According to the WFP: 

“Lack of access to technology and markets means many farmers are forced to watch their crops rot in fields as the labour and financial investment required to harvest them is often unavailable.”
The WFP has a program to help small farmers “learn how to use improved post-harvest handling methods.” It also provides “storage equipment to protect crops against insects, rodents, mould and moisture.”

Covid-19 has also increased food insecurity because of disruptions in production and trade.

Source: Ending hunger | World Food Programme (wfp.org)

Hunger has many causes and each of these causes requires a variety of solutions. How much approximately would it cost to deal with all of them? According to the Guardian, Ending world hunger by 2030 would cost $330bn. This is based on a study funded by the government of Germany. The $44 billion used to buy Twitter would be enough to pay for about 13 percent. The article states that there is an “immense mountain” to climb in order to end hunger. Carin Smaller, co-director of the organization Ceres2030, is quoted as saying “Whatever we’re currently spending is not helping.” It isn’t enough to just throw money at a problem. Money has to be directed to effective programs.

Source: Ending world hunger by 2030 would cost $330bn, study finds | Global development | The Guardian

Another Guardian article states that “ending world hunger is possible” and asks “so why hasn't it been done?” Ending hunger requires action at several different levels, according to Duncan Green from Oxfam. That includes at the policy level. Governments of nations with high levels of food insecurity must implement programs to address hunger. Ghana made a big dent in hunger using cash transfers to the poor, investments in small farmers, and by raising the minimum wage. Countries with growing economies like India need “proper taxation and effective social services to end hunger and malnutrition” according to Green. He also points out another problem. Rich countries trying to decrease dependence on fossil fuels are investing in biofuels, which competes with food production. Investing in biofuels drives up food prices for poor people.

Source: Ending world hunger is possible – so why hasn't it been done? | Duncan Green | The Guardian

Providing food aid to struggling nations is also far more complicated than it seems. When Musk tweeted the following, he was likely referring to concerns that food aid can sometimes do more harm than good. 

“If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.” 
In the New York Post article, “Why Elon Musk is right: World hunger can’t be solved with $6 billion,” Michael Shellenberger claims that foreign assistance can potentially lead to conflict. One example he provides is foreign aid destroying a centuries-old credit system in Somalia.

“…foreign food aid had helped undermine the social ties that had kept the nation together.”
Critics of food aid criticize the WFP: 

“for dumping food on poor nations, driving down prices and bankrupting farmers, ultimately making it harder for poor nations to become self-sufficient.”
Trying to solve problems can cause other problems. For example, “the Ethiopian government has blocked aid from being delivered” to a conflict zone in the country. This has led to a famine that afflicts half a million people. “Now, the US and other nations are considering imposing trade sanctions in response, putting in jeopardy the livelihoods of factory workers in Addis Ababa.”

Source: Elon Musk is right: World hunger can't be solved with $6 billion (nypost.com)

Complex problems require complex solutions. And as food aid critics have pointed out, attempts to help can potentially backfire, causing more problems than they solve. One man, even if he is the world’s richest, can’t solve a problem like world hunger on his own. Of course, Elon Musk can help, but ending world hunger requires the coordinated efforts of governments around the world, aid agencies, and corporations to tackle the variety of challenges involved. And it requires humanity to change its ways and find ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.

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