Climate Change, Water and Food SecurityHugh Turral, Jacob J. Burke, Jean-Marc Faurès, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2011 - Technology & Engineering - 174 pages The impacts of climate change on the global hydrological cycle are expected to vary the patterns of demand and supply of water for agriculture - the dominant user of freshwater. The extent and productivity of both irrigated and rainfed agriculture can be expected to change. As a result, the livelihoods of rural communities and the food security of a predominantly urban population are at risk from water-related impacts linked primarily to climate variability. The rural poor, who are the most vulnerable, are likely to be disproportionately affected. Adaptation measures that build upon improved land and water management practices will be fundamental in boosting overall resilience to climate change. And this is not just to maintain food security: the continued integrity of land and water systems is essential for all economic uses of water. This report summarises current knowledge of the anticipated impacts of climate change on water availability for agriculture and examines the implications for local and national food security. It analyses expected impact of climate change on a set of major agricultural systems at risk and makes the case for immediate implementation of 'no-regrets' strategies which have both positive development outcomes and make agricultural systems resilient. It is hoped that policy makers and planners can use this report to frame their adaptation responses when considering both the water variable in agriculture and the competing demands from other users. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The baseline and trends in agricultural water demand | 31 |
Specific climate change impacts related to agricultural water management | 45 |
Copyright | |
5 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accounting adaptation Africa agriculture allocation already analysis annual areas Asia assessment associated Australia availability basin become benefits better capacity carbon climate change considerable continue contribute costs countries crop decline demand dependent developing countries drought economic effects efficiency emissions enhance environmental especially estimated et al example existing expected farmers farming fertilizer Figure flood flows further future global greater groundwater growth higher hydrological impacts important improved increase investment irrigation land less limited loss lower measures methane mitigation modelling natural options organic patterns percent plant population possible potential practices predicted processes production projections rainfall rainfed range rates recent recharge reduce regional relatively Report response result rice rise risk river runoff salinity scale scenarios season significant soil storage strategies supply surface temperature trends United variability water management water resources yield