IT’S a well-established fact that food security is directly linked to climate change, as climate change significantly impacts food security. Food security refers to the condition in which all individuals have consistent access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. While the climate change refers to the long-term alteration of Earth’s climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities such as the emission of greenhouse gases, resulting in global temperature rise, shifts in weather patterns and various environmental impacts. Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges faced by today’s human beings. Moreover, every country is vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change and so is Pakistan.
However, food security and climate change are intricately interconnected, with climate variability and extreme events posing significant threats to food production, distribution and access. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and storms are already impacting agricultural productivity worldwide. These changes disrupt crop yields, livestock health and fisheries, leading to decreased food availability and increased prices. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and regions with limited resources and adaptive capacity. Furthermore, shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns can alter the geographical distribution of pests and diseases, further compromising food production.
No one denies the fact that some states worldwide are relentlessly working on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to improve conditions globally. In Pakistan, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is actively working to eradicate food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition. A recent report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on food security estimated that between 691 and 783 million people worldwide faced hunger in 2022. Considering the midrange estimate (about 735 million), 122 million more people faced hunger in 2022 than in 2019, before the global pandemic. Shocks such as Covid-19 and the Ukraine War have further exacerbated the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the World Bank’s climate explainer series, 345 million people may have suffered acute food insecurity in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions.
The recent devastating floods in Pakistan, a result of climate-induced changes, have irreparably damaged every sector of the state and society. According to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Report of the Government of Pakistan, agriculture and livestock suffered significant damages totaling $3.7 billion, with additional substantial losses of $9.2 billion. The floods have caused extensive destruction to 4.4 million acres of agricultural land and 0.8 million livestock. The devastation of crops, livestock and aquaculture infrastructure and assets has resulted in a temporary deterioration of livelihood, employment and agriculture-related income, triggering food insecurity, malnutrition and hunger. The effects of climate change can be mitigated and food security stabilized worldwide if all states work together to create awareness about the seriousness of the threat posed by climate change and if they come up with actionable policies and stringent mechanisms for implementation. Initiatives such as tree plantation, reforestation and reliance on renewable energy resources are essential environmental initiatives to combat deforestation, promote biodiversity, capture carbon dioxide and maintain ecological balance. These efforts contribute to improving air, food and water quality, mitigating climate change and providing habitats for various species. Therefore, it is imperative for Pakistan to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote healthy food security, not only to make Pakistan a liveable country but also to make it a role model for other nations. This requires a commitment to making climate change the centre of our policies, assigning adequate funds for their implementation and making it a joint venture of both the state and society, as our future is at stake.
It’s important to recognize that addressing food security not only ensures access to nutritious food but also improves health conditions. Quality crops are the foundation of healthy diets and by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, we can enhance the nutritional value of food and mitigate the risks associated with malnutrition and related health issues. By prioritizing adaptation strategies, integrating climate change mitigation measures and fostering collaboration among nations, we can work towards stabilizing food security and building resilience against the impacts of climate change.
It is crucial for Pakistan, as well as other nations, to not only address the immediate consequences of climate change but also to pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future. This requires unwavering commitment, adequate resources and collaborative action at both the governmental and societal levels. By taking decisive steps now, we cannot only safeguard the well-being of current and future generations but also pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for all. To sum up, addressing food security requires comprehensive approaches that integrate climate change mitigation efforts, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and transitioning to more sustainable food systems.
—The writer is a contributing columnist, based in Mardan.
Email: [email protected].
