Effect of Climate Change on Food Production

Precipitation, Crops, and Food Insecure Regions

Precipitation Change

Change in Precipitation By the End of the 21st Century

Prioritizing Regions Food Security Impacts for 2030Criteria taken into account:

Importance of a crop to the region’s food-insecure population (HI)

Projected impact of climate change to a crop’s production

Statistical Model with:Historical crop harvestsMonthly temperatures and precipitationMaps of growing locations

Regions of Concern

Changes in Temperature and Precipitation

Crop Priority

Focus Adaptation InvestmentsNegative impacts most likely to occur (C95 < 0%):South Asia wheatSoutheast Asia rice Southern Africa maize

Some very extreme impacts (C05 < –10%):Several South Asian cropsSahel sorghumSouthern Africa maize

SAF

SAH

The Sahel

The Sahel

Proposed Adaptations

Increase Irrigation

Shift Planting Schedule Switch

Crops

Genetically Modify Crops

Discussion QuestionsWhat can be done to curb the influence of the

decrease in precipitation on food insecure regions?Is shifting planting/harvesting schedules enough?How will regions be affected that can no longer

grow staple crops?How will changing crops impact traditions and

customs in regions? Will the people be open to a new dietary supplement?

Developed countries will have less trouble adapting to a change in precipitation. Should developed regions aid the food insecure nations in building irrigation and researching more resilient crops?