11 Dec Climate Change and Food Security GS-1 POPULATION
Climate Change and Food Security- Today Current Affairs
With strong cooperation and partnership between citizens, governments and the private sector, the world is on the verge of transformation to make the world free of hunger by 2030 and deliver targets for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Major International democracies at the UNFCCC COP26 Summit also put forth a sum of 350 million U.S.$ in new support to protect the most vulnerable.
As much as all these efforts are applauded, the plight of food security on planet Earth is still prevalent and is further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic as well.
Ensuring global food security requires a complete makeover of the present food system towards equilibrium growth and sustainability, Mitigating climate change, ensuring healthy, safe and affordable food and investments for the same from governments and the private sector.
Climate Crisis and Hunger: The Hindu Analysis
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Connect between Climate Change and Food System: The climate crisis impacts the complete food system from production to consumption. Climate change impacts land, crops, kills livestock, depletes marine resources, and cuts off transport to markets which further impacts food production systems, availability, diversity, access, and safety. At the same moment, food systems also impact the environment and are a driver of climate change. Estimates show that the food sector emits around 30% of the world’s greenhouse gases.
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Climate-Hunger: The target of ending world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030 has some major roadblocks as the climate crisis worsens. The add on was the Covid-19 pandemic that has doubled the population under chronic hunger from 130 million to 270 million. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has estimated that with a minute 2°C rise in average global temperature from pre-industrial levels will see a staggering 189 million additional people in the grip of hunger.
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Vulnerable Worst Sufferer: Vulnerable communities, who majorly rely on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and livestock and, who contribute the least to the climate crisis, will continue to bear the brunt of the impacts with limited means to cushion the blow. The top 10 most food-insecure countries in the world contribute 0.08% of global carbon emissions. Crop failures, water scarcity, and declining nutrition threaten millions who rely on agriculture, fishing, and livestock. The absence of social protection measures such as food safety nets forces the food insecure to depend on humanitarian aid for their daily means.
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World Food Program’s (WFP) Initiatives: The WFP is working with communities to adapt to the changing climate that threatens their ability to grow food, secure incomes, and withstand shocks. It has supported 40 governments, helping them realise their national climate targets. In 2020, the WFP implemented climate risk management solutions in 30 countries, which benefited more than 6.5 million people so that they are better prepared for climate shocks and stresses and can recover faster.In India, the WFP and the Environment Ministry is the nodal ministry planning to develop a best practice model on adaptation and mitigation with potential support from the Adaptation Fund.
Way Forward
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Building Resilience for the Poor: Adaptation and resilience-building for poor and vulnerable communities are essential for achieving food security. Considering the fact that the severe impacts of climate extremes on people and nature will continue to increase with rising temperatures, there is a strong emphasis on the urgency of scaling up action and support in form finance, capacity-building, and technology transfer.
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Role of India: India has a greater role to play with its ongoing and now substantial policy work at the national and State levels. It has to transform its food network systems making it more inclusive and sustainable for higher farm incomes and nutritional security. Diversification of cropping patterns is needed for more equal distribution of water, sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
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Adaptation Finance: The recent pledges made by the developed countries on enhancing climate finance to support adaptation in developing countries is a positive gesture . However, the current climate finance for adaptation and base of stakeholders still remain insufficient to respond to worsening climate change impacts.
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Multi-Pronged Approach for Tackling Climate-Hunger Crisis: Creating resilient food security solutions by protecting and improving the livelihood of vulnerable communities in the world.. Enabling women’s control and ownership of production processes and assets and increased value addition and local solutions.Promoting a resilient agriculture sector by creating sustainable opportunities, access to finance, and innovation for small-holder farmers, with climate information and preparedness.
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Sustainable Food Systems: Sustainability has to be achieved in production, value chains and consumption. Climate-resilient cropping patterns have to be promoted. Instead of giving input subsidies, cash transfers can be given for farmers for sustainable agriculture.
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Role of Non-Agriculture Sector: Labour-intensive manufacturing and services can reduce pressure on the agricultural sector. Income from agriculture is not sufficient for marginal holders and informal workers. Strengthening rural MSMEs and food processing sector is part of the solution.
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Plutus IAS Current Affairs Team Member
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