The introduction opens up the scene, seeks to explore the links across the main themes and explains the organization of the volume. The chapter sets out a broad range of issues ranging from the sustainable development goals (SDGs), concerns climate change and global climate summits; through the current crises in food insecurity and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Food insecurity and the impact on the triple burden of diet related disease (under, over and micronutrient deficiencies) are set out. Given the current global crises and the rapid escalations in food insecurity, links to sources which document the level of food insecurity are provided. Some discussion of the food system provided and the gap between food production and recommend levels of food consumption. The workings of the global food system and who controls it is set out along with the implications for food insecurity. From this, winners and losers are identified with large companies and private corporations gaining most. A short description of the organisation of global agriculture is set out. This chapter can be read and used in tandem with individual chapters.
