Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start with writing the interconnection between the climate crisis and rising food insecurity.
• Suggest measures to deal with the issues of food insecurity and climate change.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

The world is on the cusp of transformation to make the world free of hunger by 2030 and deliver promises for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with strong cooperation and partnership between governments, citizens and the private sector.

Body

Climate Crisis and Hunger

• Climate Change and Food System Interlink: The climate crisis impacts all parts of the global food system — from production to consumption.
  
  • It destroys land and crops, kills livestock, depletes fisheries, and cuts off transport to markets which further impacts food production, availability, diversity, access, and safety.
  • At the same time, food systems also impact the environment and are a driver of climate change. Estimates show that the food sector emits around 30% of the world’s greenhouse gases.
• Climate-Hunger Crisis Current Scenario: The agenda of ending world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030 is facing formidable challenges as the climate crisis worsen.
  
  • This has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic that has doubled the population under chronic hunger from 130 million to 270 million.
• Vulnerable, Least Emitter but Worst Sufferer: Vulnerable communities, a vast majority of whom rely on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and livestock and, who contribute the least to the climate crisis, will continue to bear the brunt of the impacts with limited means to cushion the blow.
  
  • The top 10 most food-insecure countries contribute 0.08% of global carbon emissions.

Measures to deal with these issues simultaneously

• Building Resilience for the Poor: Adaptation and resilience-building for poor and vulnerable communities are critical for food security.
  
  • Considering the fact that the adverse impacts of climate extremes on people and nature will continue to increase with rising temperatures, there is a strong emphasis on the urgency of scaling up action and support .
• Role of India: It has to transform its food systems making it more inclusive and sustainable for higher farm incomes and nutrition security.
  
  • Diversification of cropping patterns towards millets, pulses, oilseeds, horticulture is needed for more equal distribution of water, sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Adaptation Finance: The recent pledges made by the developed countries on enhancing climate finance to support adaptation in developing countries is a welcome gesture.
  
  • However, the current climate finance for adaptation and base of stakeholders remain insufficient to respond to worsening climate change impacts.
• Multi-Pronged Approach for Tackling Climate-Hunger Crisis: Creating resilient livelihoods and food security solutions by protecting and improving the livelihood of vulnerable communities.
• Sustainable Food Systems: Sustainability has to be achieved in production, value chains and consumption. Climate-resilient cropping patterns have to be promoted. Instead of giving input subsidies, cash transfers can be given for farmers for sustainable agriculture.

Conclusion

Reimagining food systems requires looking at food systems through the prism of climate change adaptation and mitigation, which must also entail making them resilient to climate change and pandemics while making them green and sustainable.