Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Background: This paper aims to examine the impact of climate change on food security in third world countries. For this purpose, the article adopted a desktop study approach. Previous studies, reports, surveys and policies on climate change and food (in)security. From this paper’s analysis, climate change presents a high risk to food security in developing countries from crop production to food distribution and consumption. In light of this, it is found that climate change, particularly global warming, affects food security through food availability, accessibility, utilization, and affordability. To mitigate these risks, there is a need for an integrated policy approach to protecting the arable land against global warming. The argument advanced in this article is that the third world country’s ability to adapt and protect its food items depends on the understanding of risks and the vulnerability of various food items to climate change. However, this poses a challenge in developing countries, because such countries have weak institutions and limited access to technology. Another concern is a wide gap between the cost of adapting and the necessary financial support from the government. There is also a need to invest in technologies that will resist risks on food systems.

Methods: A literature review was conducted from different sources using a Google scholar searching strategy that is written within 10 years period in the English language.

Result: Documents related to the impacts of climate change on food security were reviewed. Literature indicates climate components like temperature, precipitation, CO2 concentration, and extreme climate events have an effect on food security components. The third world is one of the most severely affected regions to climate change where most of the population is dependent on climatesensitive economic activities. The most direct effect and a well-researched component of climate change on food security is food availability by reducing net crop production. It is also found that climate change has an impact on food accessibility and utilization but not well studied due to its complexity. Projections indicate that this problem will be more severe in the future than today unless climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies are done

Conclusion: This review concludes that climatic conditions are changing in developing countries and is affecting food availability, food accessibility and utilization. The problem will be severe in the future unless the current adaptation and mitigation efforts do not improve. Therefore to reduce the problem, the region should use its potential to adopt climate change.

Biography

E-mail: sathiyouwaraj@gmail.com