FAO: Global Warming Threatens Pacific Food Security

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warns that frequent tropical storms, ocean warming, flash floods and drought will take a heavy toll on food security in Pacific Island countries. According to the report “Climate Change and Food Security in Pacific Island Countries”, jointly published by FAO, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program and the University of the South Pacific, climate change-related disasters are already imposing serious constraints on development in the islands, which appear to be in a constant mode of recovery.

 A combination of droughts and floods will bring devastating effects on agriculture, including water stress, more pests and weeds, erosion and loss of soil fertility, the report says. The report calls for a more systematic approach to climate change, with national development plans serving as the basis of adaptation measures involving governments, the private sector and civil society. “Farmers should receive the best available information and guidelines on the choice of crop varieties, soil and water management options under changed environmental conditions to avert the risk of crop failures.”

Read the press release at http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/8658/icode/ The report can be downloaded at http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0530e/i0530e00.htm