Climate change: A threat towards achieving ‘Sustainable Development Goal number two’ (end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture) in South Africa

Abstract

This article aims to assess the impacts of climate change towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal number two (SDG 2) as well as examining the poverty alleviation strategies by subsistence farmers in South Africa. Widespread hunger and poverty continue to be among the most life-threatening problems confronting mankind. Available statistics show that global poverty remains a serious challenge around the world. Across the globe, one in five people lives on less than $1 a day and one in seven suffers from chronic hunger. Similarly, the developing world is adversely affected by poverty and hunger. In the sub-Saharan Africa, research has revealed a higher prevalence of hunger, malnutrition, poverty and food insecurity. SDG 2 focuses more on eliminating hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture. The study employed an exploratory design and a qualitative method. Snowball sampling was used in selecting relevant sources which led the researchers to other research work on the same field through keywords and reference lists. The researchers employed discourse analysis to analyse data. The study discovered that there are numerous potential effects climate change could have on agriculture. It affects crop growth and quality and livestock health. Farming practices could also be affected as well as animals that could be raised in particular climatic areas. The impact of climate change as well as the susceptibility of poor communities is very immense. The article concludes that climate change reduces access to drinking water, negatively affects the health of people and poses a serious threat to food security.

Impacts of Climate Change on Health and Wellbeing in South Africa

“…Without these interventions, climate change will likely worsen the country’s existing socioeconomic and health inequities [ 22 ]. A step-change is required in the country’s response if it is to meet its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goal 2, which includes improved food security and improved nutrition, and sustainable agriculture [ 5 ].…”

“…Even though there is some spatial variation in the warming signal, most of South Africa has experienced upward trends in temperature during the last half of the 20th century [ 3 , 4 ]. Food security is also under threat, with, for example, crop yields likely to decline in many parts of the country, accompanied by livestock losses [ 5 ]. Furthermore, it is now possible to detect changes in response to climate change in most terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in the country [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Regional disaster risk management strategies for food security: Probing Southern African Development Community channels for influencing national policy

“…COP21 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Paris (2015) revealed that many nations are facing food insecurity because of severe climate change hazards. Many scholars have provided a clear evidence of the dangers of climate change (Burke et al 2010; Georgescu, Lobell & Field 2011; Hertel, Burke & Lobell 2010; Lobell et al 2011; Mugambiwa & Tirivangasi 2017; Rowhani et al 2011). Moreover, SADC countries have been affected by water scarcity because of erratic rainfall patterns, increased evaporation and increased water demand in all sectors.…”

Building adaptive capacity: Reducing the climate vulnerability of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

“…Zimbabwe is particularly vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on rain‐fed agriculture and climate‐sensitive resources (Chagutah, ; Mashizha, Monga, & Dzvimbo, ). Studies conducted in Zimbabwe shows that negative impacts of climate change on crop yields and food production have been far more common than positive impacts (Dzvimbo, Mashizha, Monga, & Ncube, ; Mugambiwa & Tirivangasi, ).…”

“…Studies conducted in Zimbabwe shows that negative impacts of climate change on crop yields and food production have been far more common than positive impacts (Dzvimbo, Mashizha, Monga, & Ncube, 2017;Mugambiwa & Tirivangasi, 2017).…”