US Climate and Health Alliance

Climate Change and Food Systems

Abstract

Food systems contribute 19%–29% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, releasing 9,800–16,900 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2008. Agricultural production, including indirect emissions associated with land-cover change, contributes 80%–86% of total food system emissions, with significant regional variation. The impacts of global climate change on food systems are expected to be widespread, complex, geographically and temporally variable, and profoundly influenced by socioeconomic conditions. Historical statistical studies and integrated assessment models provide evidence that climate change will affect agricultural yields and earnings, food prices, reliability of delivery, food quality, and, notably, food safety. Low-income producers and consumers of food will be more vulnerable to climate change owing to their comparatively limited ability to invest in adaptive institutions and technologies under increasing climatic risks. Some synergies among food security, adaptation, and mitigation are feasible. But promising interventions, such as agricultural intensification or reductions in waste, will require careful management to distribute costs and benefits effectively.

Resource Type
Peer-reviewed article
Authors
Sonja J. Vermeulen Bruce M. Campbell John S.I. Ingram
Resource URL
http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-020411-130608
Publication
Annual Review of Environment and Resources
Volume
37
Issue
1
Pages
195-222
Date
Nov 21, 2012
DOI
10.1146/annurev-environ-020411-130608
ISSN
1543-5938, 1545-2050
Health and Human Impact
Food security
Climate and Environmental Impact
Food/crops

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