Foods That Could be Scarce Due to Climate Change?

Climate change has caused drastic changes in weather patterns and the environment. This impacts food availability and production, storage, access and price stability. Agriculture is also certainly one of the sectors at high risk of being impacted by climate change.

The agricultural sector experiences various impacts because climate change can affect cropping patterns, planting time, production and quality of yields. The production of agricultural products is influenced by climate change variables, namely temperature increases, changes in rainfall, evaporation of water runoff, and soil moisture, which can affect productivity.

United Nations (2019) stated that the climate crisis has threatened the world’s food supply. More than 10 percent of the world’s population is currently undernourished and the climate crisis will worsen the situation.

Examples of climate change impacts that affect food security are the El Nino events in 2015 and 2019. This resulted in large-scale crop failures in Indonesia’s main rice-producing regions due to the slow rainy season.

This shows that the phenomenon of climate change not only results in disruption of food availability but has the potential to make food difficult, loss of nutritional value, and food scarcity.

Some of the foodstuffs that have become scarce or decreased in availability due to climate change include:
Wheat

Wheat is one of the main sources of carbohydrates for many people around the world. Climate change can lead to increased temperatures, droughts and pest infestations, impacting wheat production and resulting in supply shortages.

Rice

Rice is a staple food for most populations in Asia. Climate change, including floods, droughts and rising sea levels, can cause a decline in rice production and threaten food security.

Coffee and Cocoa

Both commodities are highly sensitive to climate change. Increased temperatures, changes in rainfall, and the spread of diseases can reduce coffee and cocoa production, impacting supply and prices on the world market.

Fish

Climate change affects marine ecosystems, including temperature and food availability for fish. This can cause fish to migrate to different areas, reducing catches and threatening the sustainability of fish resources.

Goat Farming

Goat farming is a viable solution for young people that can help improve the family economy, as the market demand is quite high. Goats are fast, natural breeders, and are adaptable to changing weather and living on dry land with high heat evaporation. This potential encourages environmentally friendly animal husbandry.

Addressing food scarcity due to climate change requires collective action from across sectors, community engagement and government to reduce emissions and implement sustainable agricultural practices and policies to build future food security.