Editorial
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Feeding the future world
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The impacts of climate change on
food production will affect us all.
It is important that research and
funding are available to minimize
these effects and support the most
vulnerable.
A
griculture and food is a large eco-
nomic sector, and supports the
livelihoods of many. Yet, when
considering food and climate
change, sometimes the focus
is on the environmental impact of dietary
choices. However, for many, this is a luxury Most of the world’s farms are smallholder short time, there is no one to work the land
they cannot consider as food security — hav- farms, and many are from the poorest com- and the loss of income increases vulnerability.
ing reliable access to sufficient, affordable munities3. These farms often have high yields Research on adaptation, to shifting tem-
and nutritious food — is a major concern. relative to their small land size and produce a peratures and water availability, as well as
Climate change will exacerbate food secu- substantial proportion of global food, but it innovation are necessary. We need to grow
rity1, not only by affecting production, but is labour-intensive work, with small profits, understanding of the factors that can influ-
for producers there could be reduced income and the costs associated with climate change ence yield, such as soil quality6, as well as to
as a result of addressing the challenges that are reducing their ability to survive. A recent optimize farming practices, develop crop
climate change brings. study found that all survey respondents, variants and support the adoption of tech-
With food being transported around the smallholder forest and farm producers with nology as appropriate7. But it is not sufficient
world, it can be easy to become accustomed up to 10 hectares of land, had experienced to just identify and develop climate-resilient
to having all produce available throughout the some effect from climate change, whether that crop varieties, they need to be accepted and
seasons, leading to a disconnect from the nat- be related to water availability and timing, or adopted by farmers, which can be challeng-
ural cycle and its vulnerability to weather and pests and disease increases4. This results in ing due to availability and information on the
climate change. Data are available on climate 20–40% of individual annual income being crop varieties8.
change impacts on many crops, including key spent to adapt and maintain production and
crops such as maize, rice, soybean and wheat2, livelihood. While the terminology and defini- Published online: 8 March 2024
across the world, including projections under tions used may vary when considering food
different scenarios. Yet, converting this knowl- producers, we should focus on the essential References
edge into practice to ensure food security for role they play in feeding the world, and ensure 1. Nat. Clim. Change 12, 963 (2022).
2. Hasegawa, T. et al. Sci. Data 9, 58 (2022).
all requires substantial efforts. that they are supported to grow sustainable 3. Ritchie, H. Smallholders produce one-third of the world’s
There are many ways in which climate agriculture. food, less than half of what many headlines claim. Our World
change can influence food production, from A United Nations report focusing on the in Data [Link] (6 August 2021).
4. Hou Jones, X. & Sorsby, N. The Unsung Giants of Climate
the more apparent such as temperature challenges of climate change, poverty and and Nature Investment: Insights From An International
extremes (both hot and cold), water avail- hunger in Asia and the Pacific finds that with Survey of Local Climate and Nature Action by Smallholder
ability (too much and too little) and shifting increasing climate hazards, such as heat, Forest and Farm Producers (IIED, 2023).
5. United Nations, Asian Development Bank & United Nations
seasons, to some potentially less obvious such drought and floods, not only are crops and Development Programme People and Planet: Addressing
as changes in pollinators and a decline in their agricultural production directly impacted, the Interlinked Challenges of Climate Change, Poverty and
essential role, and marine heatwaves and cir- but there is a loss of labour productivity that Hunger in Asia and the Pacific (United Nations, 2024).
6. Qiao, L. et al. Nat. Clim. Change 12, 574–580 (2022).
culation changes altering fish and seafood is essential for small farms to be viable5. If 7. Agathokleous, E. et al. Nat. Food 4, 854–865 (2023).
stocks. extreme events displace people, even for a 8. Acevedo, M. et al. Nat. Plants 6, 1231–1241 (2020).
Credit: Nikada/E+/Getty
nature climate change Volume 14 | March 2024 | 207 | 207
