Week 6 Assignment The Impact Of Climate Change On Food Security ✓ Solved

The United Nations (UN) has hired you as a consultant, and your task is to assess the impact that global warming is expected to have on population growth and the ability of societies in the developing world to ensure the adequate security of their food supplies. As the world’s population nears 10 billion by 2050, the effects of global warming are stripping some natural resources from the environment. As they diminish in number, developing countries will face mounting obstacles to improving the livelihoods of their citizens and stabilizing their access to enough food. The reason these governments are struggling even now is that our climate influences their economic health and the consequent diminishing living standards of their peoples.

Climate changes are responsible for the current loss of biodiversity as well as the physical access to some critical farming regions. As such, these changes in global weather patterns diminish agricultural output and the distribution of food to local and international markets. These difficulties will become even more significant for these countries as the Earth’s climate changes for the worse. Temperatures are already increasing incrementally, and polar ice caps are melting, so the salient question is: what does this suggest for developing societies? The issue before the developing world is not its lack of food, but rather how to gain access to food. Simply put, changes in our climate are affecting the global food chain, and hence, the living standards of entire populations. Added to this is the fact that food is not getting to where it is needed in time to prevent hunger or starvation. In many developing countries, shortages are due to governments’ control over distribution networks rather than an insufficient supply of food itself. In effect, these governments are weaponizing food by favoring certain ethnic or religious groups over others. When added to dramatic climate changes that we are experiencing even now, the future for billions of poor people looks increasingly dim.

You are to write a minimum of a 5 page persuasive paper for the UN that addresses the following questions about the relationship between atmospheric weather patterns and food security in the developing world: 1. Climate change and global warming are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same phenomenon. What are the differences between the two concepts and what leads to the confusion between them? 2. In 1900, the average global temperature was about 13.7° Celsius (56.7° Fahrenheit), but as of 2020, the temperature has risen another 1.2°C to 14.9°C. According to the Earth and climate science community, if the Earth’s surface temperature rises another 2°C, we will suffer catastrophic weather patterns that, among other things, will raise sea levels, cause widespread droughts and wildfires, result in plant, insect, and animal extinctions, and reduce agricultural productivity throughout the world. How much credibility do you place in these projections? Why? 3. There is no question that the Earth’s food sources are threatened by changes in its weather patterns, but what specific challenges does climate change pose to the food security of people in the developing world? 4. There is currently a debate among some multinational lending agencies like the International Monetary Fund, UNICEF, and AID over the financial support for food security has been misused by recipient government officials. On the other hand, U.S. authorities insist that misuse of its assistance is not occurring because it has strict monitoring oversight in place. What is your position on this matter? Is there evidence that financial assistance to developing governments is being widely misused by government officials?

Paper For Above Instructions

Climate change and global warming are distinct yet interconnected phenomena that often contribute to widespread confusion due to their overlapping consequences. Climate change represents a broader term that encompasses various changes in weather patterns over time, influenced by both natural variability and human activities. Global warming specifically refers to the increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to rising greenhouse gas emissions from activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This distinction is crucial; while global warming focuses on temperature increases, climate change includes the broader implications of those rises, such as shifts in precipitation patterns and increased extreme weather events (IPCC, 2021).

The confusion between these terms arises predominantly from public discourse where sensational headlines often refer to global warming, while the scientific community emphasizes climate change’s multifaceted nature. Effective communication is vital in addressing these issues, as the misconceptions can hinder the necessary policy responses to safeguard food security globally, particularly in developing nations (Schneider et al., 2019).

The rise in average global temperatures from 13.7°C in 1900 to 14.9°C by 2020 represents a significant change with dire implications. Projections from climate science experts indicate that an additional increase of 2°C can lead to catastrophic outcomes, including severe droughts and disruptions to agriculture (Lindsey & Dahlman, 2020). Credibility in these projections largely stems from robust climate models and empirical evidence gathered over decades of research. Many scientists assert that failing to act on these findings poses a genuine risk of exacerbating existing inequalities, especially in nations that are already vulnerable due to limited resources and adaptive capacity (Mastroianni, 2015).

In developing nations, the challenges posed by climate change on food security are manifold. Foremost, agricultural productivity is severely impacted by unpredictable weather patterns, leading to increased instances of crop failure. Many of these nations depend heavily on agriculture as their backbone economic activity. The loss of biodiversity and degradation of arable land due to climate change further exacerbate food insecurity (FAO, 2020). Additionally, poor infrastructure and limited access to technological innovations hinder farmers’ ability to adapt to these changes, creating a vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition (World Bank, 2021).

Another critical aspect is the role of political governance in food distribution. In several developing countries, corruption and inefficient governance jeopardize the equitable distribution of food resources. Misappropriation of humanitarian aid and food assistance remains a significant concern, as some governments prioritize their political interests over effective nourishment for their populace. Reports suggest that aid is often distributed unevenly, favoring particular social groups or regions, creating disparities that lead to further disenfranchisement of marginalized communities (UNICEF, 2019).

In light of this, my position aligns with the assertion that there are widespread instances of misuse in food assistance programs. Evidence indicates that without stringent oversight mechanisms, the financial aid intended to combat food insecurity can be diverted, exacerbating the very problems it aims to alleviate (International Monetary Fund, 2022). Therefore, advocating for stronger monitoring systems and transparent governance is essential to improve the efficacy of these programs.

In conclusion, addressing the impact of climate change on food security necessitates a multi-faceted approach that recognizes the distinctions between climate change and global warming. Understanding the credibility of scientific projections is essential in shaping responsive policy frameworks. The challenges faced by developing nations require not only sustainable agricultural practices but also effective governance to ensure equitable food distribution. The role of international aid must be re-evaluated to ensure that it effectively reaches the vulnerable populations it aims to support, thereby fostering a more resilient global food system.

References

• FAO. (2020). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization.
• International Monetary Fund. (2022). Food Security and Misuse of Aid. IMF Reports.
• Lindsey, R., & Dahlman, L. (2020). Climate Change: Global Temperature. NOAA Climate.gov.
• Mastroianni, B. (2015). Why 2 Degrees Are So Important. The Earth Institute.
• Schneider, S. et al. (2019). Climate Change: An Overview. Climate Change, Human Security, and Violent Conflict. Cambridge University Press.
• UNICEF. (2019). The State of the World’s Children 2019. UNICEF Publications.
• World Bank. (2021). Climate Change and Agriculture in Developing Countries. World Bank Reports.
• IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• United Nations. (2015). Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN General Assembly.
• Global Hunger Index. (2021). Global Hunger Index 2021. Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.