Climate Change and Food Security

We all know climate change is a serious issue, but have you considered how it might impact your everyday life? Beyond rising sea levels and extreme weather events, climate change has the potential to disrupt something fundamental: our food supply.

A recent study by the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) highlights the dangers climate change poses to global food production. The study links extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts to significant drops in crop yields. This isn’t just a future threat — it’s happening now.

So, what does this mean for you?

• Higher food prices: As extreme weather events become more common, food production will likely become less stable. This instability can lead to price hikes, making it harder for everyone to afford healthy food.
• Food shortages: Droughts and heatwaves can devastate crops, leading to shortages of staples like wheat, rice, and corn. These shortages could have a ripple effect throughout the food chain, impacting the availability of meat and dairy products as well.
• Dietary shifts: Climate change may force us to change our eating habits. Certain crops may become too difficult or expensive to grow in some regions. We may need to adapt our diets to become more reliant on crops that are better suited to a changing climate.

Food for thought (pun intended):

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a food security issue. What changes can we make as individuals and communities to ensure a stable food supply in a changing climate?

Here are some ideas to get the conversation started:

• Support sustainable farming practices: Look for locally-sourced food and farmers markets. By supporting sustainable practices, we can help build a more resilient food system.
• Reduce food waste: Think before you toss! Food waste is a major problem that contributes to food insecurity.
• Advocate for climate action: Let your voice be heard! Contact your elected officials and urge them to take action on climate change.

By taking action now, we can help ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious food — no matter what the climate throws our way.