Imagine the year 2050. Wheat prices have increased by over 90 percent , child undernutrition has increased by 20 percent and crop yields continue to decrease due to lack of water. These are just some of the ominous predictions from a new study that finds climate change could have negative consequences for agricultural productivity and human well-being if action isn’t taken.
The study, released this month by the International Food
Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), is the first study that models crop growth under
climate change with insights from a detailed agriculture model. The model’s results shows how vulnerable
agriculture is to climate change: changing precipitation patterns will cause
more crop failures and higher temperatures will increase the number of weeds
and pests and reduce crop yields. Combined with an increasing world population,
unchecked climate change will continue to increase food insecurity, especially
in the developing world.
While
the results of the study are distressing, the study asserts actions can be
taken now to mitigate the effects of climate change. IFPRI recommends that the
international community continue to implement effective development programs,
as people are better able to adapt to climate change when they have more
resources. Other recommendations include
increasing investments in agricultural research and productivity and supporting
community-based adaptation strategies. While the report estimates the cost of
adaption could be $7 billion per year, a seemingly massive number, it becomes
less daunting when one considers that over
$100 billion was spent
on overseas assistance in 2008.
The
United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is well aware of the impact of climate
change on food security. WFP currently works to address the impact of climate
change by helping communities become more food independent, planting trees,
building wells and reinforcing river banks. (Check out WFP adaptation stories
from Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Haiti here). Further, WFP’s Vulnerability Analysis and
Mapping (VAM) initiative and Early Warning System allow WFP to better predict where protective measures need to
be taken.
The
Roadmap
to End Global Hunger
also helps to address the impact of climate change on food security by calling
for increased investment in sustainable agricultural development. Act
now to make sure this important legislation
becomes law. Call or write your representative
and encourage him or her to support the Roadmap to End Global
Hunger and Promote Food Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2817).
Public Policy Intern
Friends of WFP
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