What are the ecological and economic effects of climate change and how can we reduce the impact of climate change on food security?

Addressing the impact of climate change on food security requires a multi-faceted approach that combines mitigation and adaptation strategies, involves multiple stakeholders, and prioritizes sustainable practices and policies.

Dr Gaurav H Tandon thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Climate change can increase operational costs and reduce profits in the industrial sector due to factors such as new climate-friendly regulations, reduced utilisation of old stock, relocation of production processes and activities due to climate-related losses. Climate change impacts our society by disrupting the natural, economic and social systems we depend on. This disruption will affect food supplies, industry supply chains and financial markets, damage infrastructure and cities, and harm human health and global development. Some ecosystems are likely to be especially affected by climate change. In the long-term (beyond 2050), climate change may become the major driver for biodiversity loss globally. The socio-economic impacts of climate change are likely to be greatest in communities that face other stresses. Climate change is affecting some of the critical services that ecosystems provide to society. For example, ecosystems provide a bounty of food to people. Climate changes, like drought and heat, could affect the availability and quality of some foods, as well as farmers' ability to grow certain crops. The Reserve Bank of India's latest report suggests that up to 4.5 per cent of India's GDP could be at risk by 2030, owing to lost labour hours from extreme heat and humidity. Agriculture: Climate change can severely disrupt crop cycles and can cause low agricultural yield. Under 4°C warming, the west coast and southern India are projected to shift to new, high-temperature climatic regimes with significant impacts on agriculture. Changing Rainfall Patterns: A decline in monsoon rainfall since the 1950s has already been observed. nvest in food storage systems that can withstand extreme weather events. Diversify food sources and agricultural production techniques to reduce risk. Adopt water management systems that reduce crop damage from floods or droughts. Plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts, and lentils generally use less energy, land, and water, and have lower greenhouse gas intensities than animal-based foods. High temperatures, changing precipitation levels, and extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, cyclones, etc. will reduce agricultural productivity. Unsustainable agricultural practices lead to soil erosion, eventually leading to a drastic loss in yields. Interrelation between climate and agriculture: The climate crisis impacts all parts of the global food system, from production to consumption. It destroys land and crops, kills livestock, depletes fisheries, and cuts off transport to markets. This impacts food production, availability, diversity, access, and safety. When there is a disaster or a calamity, the production of food grains decreases in the affected area. This in turn creates a shortage of food in the area. Due to the food shortage, the prices go up. The raised prices of food materials affect the capacity of many people to buy the same.More extreme temperature and precipitation can prevent crops from growing. Extreme events, especially floods and droughts, can harm crops and reduce yields.