ALM UNDP

Summary:

Is low greenhouse gas emission (GHG) agriculture possible? Is it, in fact, desirable? In seeking answers to these two basic but extremely relevant questions, this study examines current farming practices and incorporates scientific databases from long‑term field experiments as case studies for low GHG agriculture. Further, the study examines the changes that will be needed for low greenhouse gas agriculture systems to become a reality.

Summary:

Climate Change to Increase Malnutrition, Raise Food Prices, and Lower Crop Yields

New IFPRI Report Estimates US$7.1-7.3 Billion/Year Needed for Agricultural Adaptation

Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation
International Food Policy Research Institute
Washington, D.C.
September 2009
Gerald C. Nelson, Mark W. Rosegrant, Jawoo Koo, Richard Robertson, Timothy Sulser, Tingju Zhu, Claudia Ringler, Siwa Msangi, Amanda Palazzo, Miroslav Batka, Marilia Magalhaes, Rowena Valmonte-Santos, Mandy Ewing, and David Lee.

Summary

A new report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) examines the interplay between climate change, agriculture, and food security and provides projections for climate change's impact on crop production, food prices, and malnutrition.

For more information: Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation.

The report projects that in 2050, there will be 25 million additional malnourished children, a 90% increase in wheat prices, and a 15% decline in irrigated rice yields in developing countries, all compared to a scenario without climate change. Critically, agricultural productivity investments of US$7.1-7.3 billion are essential to avoid these negative impacts.

The report is the first to combine detailed modeling of crop growth under climate change with insights from an extremely detailed global agriculture model, and it also uses two climate scenarios to simulate future climate. For additional projections on crop yields, food prices, and human well-being effects, as well as detailed policy prescriptions, visit the report's webpage.