US Climate and Health Alliance

Climate change impacts on global food security

Abstract

Climate change could potentially interrupt progress toward a world without hunger. A robust and coherent global pattern is discernible of the impacts of climate change on crop productivity that could have consequences for food availability. The stability of whole food systems may be at risk under climate change because of short-term variability in supply. However, the potential impact is less clear at regional scales, but it is likely that climate variability and change will exacerbate food insecurity in areas currently vulnerable to hunger and undernutrition. Likewise, it can be anticipated that food access and utilization will be affected indirectly via collateral effects on household and individual incomes, and food utilization could be impaired by loss of access to drinking water and damage to health. The evidence supports the need for considerable investment in adaptation and mitigation actions toward a “climate-smart food system” that is more resilient to climate change influences on food security.

Resource Type
Peer-reviewed article
Authors
Tim Wheeler Joachim von Braun
Resource URL
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6145/508
Publication
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Journal Abbr.
Science
Volume
341
Issue
6145
Pages
508-513
Date
Aug 2, 2013
DOI
10.1126/science.1239402
ISSN
1095-9203
Health and Human Impact
Food security
Climate and Environmental Impact
Food/crops

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