By Bhumika Khanna
The Nexus of climate change and food security is a complex and critical issue that affects the livelihoods of millions around the world. Climate change can have both direct and indirect impacts on food production, availability, access, utilization, and stability. Some of the effects of climate change on food security include:
Changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events can reduce crop yields, increase pest and disease outbreaks, damage infrastructure, and disrupt supply chains.
Rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion can affect coastal and low-lying areas, where many people depend on fisheries and aquaculture for food and income.
Increased water scarcity and competition can affect irrigation, hydropower, and domestic use, as well as the quality and quantity of freshwater resources.
Changes in land use and degradation can reduce soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration
How it affects agriculture?
Climate change affects agriculture in many ways, such as:
Changes in temperature, precipitation, and frost timing can alter the length and quality of the growing season for crops.
Extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heat waves, can damage crops and livestock, reduce soil fertility, and increase the risk of pests and diseases.
Rising sea levels can inundate coastal farmland and increase salinity in groundwater and soil.
Melting glaciers and snowpack can reduce the availability of freshwater..
Measures can be taken to get free from affects :-
Climate change is a major threat to global food security, as it affects the availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability of food systems. However, there are some measures that can be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security, such as:-
Implementing sustainable agricultural practices and technologies that can increase productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience to climate shocks.
Some examples are no-till agriculture, agroforestry, cover crops, and climate-smart irrigation
Addressing food loss and waste throughout the supply chain, from production to consumption, by improving storage
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