Climate variability and extremes are a major driver of food insecurity and malnutrition, are closely interlinked with other major drivers such as conflicts and economic slowdowns and as shown by the ongoing global food crisis, can create cascading negative impacts on food security.
All dimensions of food security can be negatively impacted by weather and climate extremes, which often lead to livelihoods erosion for the poorest and in particular in countries with high dependence on agriculture and high percentage of income spent on food.
Reducing risks due to weather and climate extremes on food security is one of the major challenges of the 21st century and requires inter-sectoral approaches and action, international collaboration and increased levels of policy coherence and synergy.
In food systems, the main emphasis for mitigation should be on healthy and sustainable diets on the demand side and on reduced food loss and waste on the production side. Adaptation efforts in the agricultural sector need as well to focus on sustainable farming practices.
Originally Published | Last Updated | 09 Apr 2019 | 15 Feb 2022 |
Knowledge service | Metadata | Global Food and Nutrition Security | Climate extremes and food security |