IPCC: Actions Needed to Build Resilience to Climate Change and Increase Food Production

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which was released this week, concludes that climate change is already damaging food production and increasing food prices, and will have further impacts in the future. The highly anticipated document raises fresh concerns for food security and farming, especially in tropical regions like South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

The report indicates that crop yields in Africa and Asia could decline by eight percent by 2050 and yields from tropical fisheries by as much as 40 percent. Yet during this same period, demand for food is expected to surge as diets change and populations rise in the developing world. Despite such predictions, the IPCC assessment provides policymakers with the scientific consensus and evidence that justifies greater investments in adaptation, especially in developing countries. Also cited in the report are the initiatives in developing countries with climate-related agriculture adaptation efforts that can serve as models for interventions elsewhere.

Pramod Aggarwal, a reviewer of the report said "The IPCC assessment shows that the threat to food security is not just a problem for the future, but something that is happening right now and demands immediate attention."

The full report, including videos and graphics, is available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/.

The news release can be read at: http://ccafs.cgiar.org/news/media-centre/press-releases/taking-action-deliver-agriculture-growth-jobs-and-food-security#.U0XvUqjuKSq/.