“Currently, 40% of the world’s landmass is arid, and rising
temperatures will turn yet more of it into desert. At current rates, the
amount of food we’re growing today will feed only half of the
population by 2050.” (WEF 2016).
Using the map and your own knowledge, evaluate the statement that
climate change will cause inevitable food insecurity over the next 30
years. [20]
Question asks – will climate change make food security inevitable, or are there opportunities to
tackle the threat which is caused?
FOR
Map – impacts of climate change on food security are greater in the southern hemisphere, where
there is a predicted significant reduction in yields up to 2050.
- Soil type and therefore productivity is closely related to climate. Climate therefore has a
significant impact on productivity/type of food produced. Could reference different types of
crops grown across the world.
o E.g. greater degree of pasture production and less crop production in the global
south because of the relative productivity of brown earth soils.
Is climate change the biggest driver of food insecurity worldwide? Could consider other factors that
cause predicted reduction in yield in the global south
- Deforestation of tropical climates → soil deterioration. Move from shifting subsistence
agriculture to larger scale slash and burn does not allow time for soil regeneration.