Impact of Climate Change on Food and Nutrition Security
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21523502Keywords:
Climate change, Extreme weather, Food security, Nutrition security, Yield ReductionsAbstract
Climate change has a dramatic effect on the food and nutrition security of the world, affecting agricultural productivity, food availability and ecosystem stability. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) define food security as availability, access, utilisation and stability of adequate, nutritious food for everyone. Climatic changes, including increased temperatures, changes in precipitation and extreme weather events, pose a risk to the gains made by technological innovations in food production. Pollination changes, soil degradation and reduced crop production are some of the problems caused by the rise of GHGs that worsen food shortages. Developing countries like India and China are suffering disproportionately from population pressure, loss of arable land and a shortage of water brought on by climate change. By the 2050s, yield losses in the major crops of Africa and South Asia are projected to make matters worse and worsen food security. The Kyoto Protocol and other world policies were in place to limit the effects of climate change, but political and economic challenges have hindered implementation. There are potential mitigation possibilities, such as sustainable agriculture strategies, such as ecosystem approaches and advanced breeding techniques. Increasing the diversity of land and water resources, such as genetic resources, and optimising irrigation techniques in order to restore degraded lands can enhance food resilience. Furthermore, biodiversity conservation via protected areas is an important element in future food security. The production of livestock and the use of land are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions; feed systems need to be improved and efficient use of fertilisers needs to be achieved. All adaptation and mitigation measures need to combine ecological research, policy and technological developments to guarantee food security worldwide. Implementing climate-related risks involves community, research and government working together to create a sustainable, resilient food system for future generations.
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