Climate change, including the increasing frequency and magnitude of climate extremes, has already negatively impacted food systems, undermining food security and nutrition. In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the 6th Assessment Report (AR6) on climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability to provide science-based and policy-relevant information. The report chapter comprehensively covers food, fibre, and other ecosystem service climate change impacts, projected risks, and adaptation solutions, leading to more resilient food systems. The assessment in the chapter highlights the significant impacts that human-induced climate change, including extreme weather events, is having on food systems. These impacts include reduced productivity, declining food quality, and changes in species distributions, increasing the risks of malnutrition and resource competition, especially for vulnerable populations. Since the mid-20th century, the growing frequency of extreme events has resulted in sudden losses in food production, decreased availability, and rising food prices, leading to acute food insecurity and worsened livelihoods in many regions. While autonomous adaptation measures have been adopted in agriculture and aquatic food production, they often remain incremental and limited to specific sectors. Ecosystem-based approaches, such as diversification, land restoration, agroecology, and agroforestry, can enhance food production while offering multiple benefits, including improved yield stability and ecosystem health. Sustainable management of resources in response to shifts in species distribution—both terrestrial and aquatic—due to climate change is an effective adaptation measure to mitigate risks to food security and nutrition. Increasing global warming levels will constrain these options, putting food security at even greater risk in vulnerable areas. Overall, substantial mitigation efforts are required to minimize the impacts on food systems and the ecosystems that support them. Food systems contribute around 30% of total human-caused emissions, and adaptation and mitigation actions that overlook ecosystem functions and equity could worsen the negative impacts of climate change, increasing vulnerability in certain regions and groups. In contrast, some adaptation strategies can enhance the sustainability of food production, reduce vulnerabilities, and improve ecosystem health in the context of climate change. Societal changes, such as shifts in dietary patterns, are also explored, as well as the risks of maladaptation and approaches to avoid it, with the goal of ensuring fair food distribution. This presentation summarizes key messages from the IPCC AR6 and discusses strategies for using genetic resources to enhance the resilience of food systems in the face of climate change.
Toshihiro Hasegawa (Mon,) studied this question.