Romina Khurshid Alam PM’s coordinator on climate change and environmental coordination
A silent crisis is unfolding in the quiet corners of the world, away from the headlines of political turmoil and economic fluctuations.
The global climate crisis, often seen through the lens of melting ice caps and extreme weather events, is quietly but adversely affecting global nutrition, particularly in an adverse way in various resource-poor developing countries including Pakistan.
As the effects of climate change on various socio-economic sectors continue to intensify, its impact on global nutrition is becoming increasingly evident globally. From altered crop yields to nutritional deficiencies, communities worldwide are struggling with grave challenges that threaten food security and human health.
From the plains of Africa to the shores of Southeast Asia, communities are grappling with shrinking food supplies, declining nutrient content and disrupted food systems.
For instance, in East Africa’s Horn, prolonged and recurring droughts caused due to climate change have devastated traditional agricultural practices. Farmers in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia are experiencing repeated crop failures as rainfall patterns become more erratic. Maize, a staple crop crucial for local diets, has experienced alarming yield losses, exposing millions at risk of food shortages and malnutrition.
On the other side of the world and mainly across Southeast Asia, rice – a dietary staple for billions of people – is facing a nutritional crisis aggravated by climate change. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are reducing rice yields in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh, while simultaneously depleting essential nutrients like zinc and iron in the crop. Consequently, populations in countries like Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Vietnam are increasingly vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies, contributing to a rise in health issues such as anemia and stunted growth, particularly among children, women and the elderly of the poor and marginalised communities.
When looking at the fallouts of climate change on the nutrition problem,particularly in the poverty-hit climate-vulnerable South Asia region, the global heating is rapidly exacting a quiet but profound toll on nutrition, undermining the socio-economic and human development gains in almost all regional countries including Pakistan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh. From the fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic basin to the coastal and mountain communities of Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, shifting weather patterns and environmental degradation are disrupting food systems and exacerbating nutritional challenges,badly affecting millions of people’s access to adequate nutrition values required for the healthy life.
Coastal communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are particularly on the front lines of climate change impacts. Rising sea levels and more frequent and intense cyclones are eroding crops, polluting freshwater sources and forcing populations to relocate. The loss of livelihoods from fishing and agriculture further exacerbates food insecurity among the already under- or poorly-nourished coastal communities, leaving vulnerable populations at increased risk of malnutrition and related health issues.
Rice, a dietary staple across much of South Asia, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Higher temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are decreasing rice yields and affecting its nutritional quality in the region. Various studies point out that rice grown under elevated CO2 levels contains lower levels of essential nutrients like zinc and iron, crucial for combating malnutrition in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
When exploring the impacts of climate change on food production and availability across the world, one finds that climate change’s foremost impact on nutrition manifests through its effect on food production and availability. Erratic weather patterns, including more frequent droughts and floods, are wreaking havoc on agricultural yields. In regions heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, such as parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, crops are failing at alarming rates. The resulting food shortages not only threaten immediate hunger but also undermine the long-term nutritional stability of affected populations.
Besides access to nutrition, its quality itself is also threatened by climate change. Beyond quantity, climate change is also diminishing the quality of the food that reaches plates. Elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a direct consequence of human activities, are reducing the nutritional content of staple crops like wheat, rice, and maize. Studies indicate that these crops are increasingly deficient in vital nutrients such as zinc, iron and the protein, essential for human health and development. As these deficiencies accumulate, particularly among vulnerable populations, the risk of malnutrition and related health issues rises precipitously.
The impact of climate change on nutrition is disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations, particularly children, pregnant women and the elderly. In regions, where poverty is widespread and access to diverse food sources is limited, any disruption in agricultural productivity caused due to various impacts of climate change such as floods, heatwaves, and depleting water availability, can lead to devastating consequences on food security and sustained access to nutrition. Children, in particular, are at risk of stunted growth and cognitive impairment due to inadequate nutrition during critical developmental stages.
The strain caused by climate change extends beyond physical health to encompass broader societal impacts. Diminished agricultural output leads to economic instability, forcing families to make difficult choices between purchasing food or other essential goods and services. Moreover, weakened food systems exacerbate social tensions and may contribute to migration and conflict, further destabilizing fragile regions already grappling with multiple challenges.
Adapting to Ensure Food Security as climate shifts is key.However, addressing the nexus of climate change and nutrition requires coordinated efforts at global, national and local levels. Relevant institutions and policymakers must prioritise climate-resilient agricultural practices, including sustainable land management and water conservation and its efficient management techniques.
Investments in research and development are crucial to developing climate-smart crops that maintain nutritional integrity despite changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, enhancing social safety nets and promoting equitable access to nutritious food are essential components of any strategy aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on global, regional and national-level nutrition.
As the world grapples with the urgent challenges posed by climate change, it is imperative not to overlook its insidious impact on global nutrition. The silent crisis unfolding across continents calls for immediate action and concerted international cooperation to fight common challenges to the global nutrition. By prioritising sustainable development, resilient food systems and equitable access to nutritious food, we can effectively deal with the adverse effects of climate change on nutrition and ensure a healthier, more secure future for all.
The writer is the PM’s coordinator on climate change and environmental coordination.
