A new report on climate change’s impact on agriculture predicts 25 million more malnourished children around the world in the coming years.
The countries in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable.
Gerard Nelson a lead researcher for the report at the International Food Policy Research Institute says climate change will have a particularly bad impact on agricultural yields in sub-Saharan Africa.
“On top of that sub-Saharan Africa in particular is home to a large number of poor people,” Nelson said. “And one of the key messages to take home from our analysis is that with higher incomes people are more resilient to a variety of changes and that will be especially true for climate change.”
The report says that in 2050 average wheat yields in sub-Saharan Africa will decline by up to 22 percent as a result of climate change. Irrigation water supply is also expected to decrease and less food availability will mean on average 500 calories less per person.
Nelson says African governments need to prioritize investment in the agriculture sector, particularly in rural roads, research and new technologies. Three months ahead of climate change talks in Copenhagen, Nelson says African governments should focus on helping their farmers adapt to climate change.
“As the governments of sub-Saharan Africa prepare to go to the Copenhagen negotiations they should ensure that agriculture is included both in the adaptation funding mechanisms that will come out of Copenhagen as well as allow for the possibility that mitigation funds can be used in Africa,” Nelson said.
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