Climate Change and Food Systems Research: Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Rising mean temperatures, sea‐level rise, and the increasing frequencies of extreme climate events, such as drought and heat waves, are expected to destabilize global food systems. In response to this challenge, there has been a growing body of research seeking to address climate change impacts on food systems. To evaluate the current directions of climate change and food systems research, we undertook a literature search of 196 peer‐reviewed articles on the topic of climate change and food systems. Studies varied in scope and methodology, and many were framed in the context of food security. Three recurring themes within climate change and food systems research were identified: (1) vulnerability and adaptation, (2) sustainable food systems, and/or (3) biophysical impacts on food production. Additionally, we identified research gaps and discernible directions for future research. Our synthesis suggests that much of the current climate change and food systems research neglects systems‐based perspectives to conceptualizing problems and solutions, there is little consideration of the differential impacts of biophysical drivers and associated outcomes in different regions, and finally, there is a lack of critical perspectives addressing underlying political structures that maintain current food systems. We suggest that future research bridge these gaps if we are to adequately address the inherently complex nature of food systems under a changing climate.

Low Nitrogen Application Enhances Starch-Metabolizing Enzyme Activity and Improves Accumulation and Translocation of Non-structural Carbohydrates in Rice Stems

“…Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) provides 35–60% of the calories consumed by the more than 4 billion inhabitants of Asia ( Fageria, 2007 ; Yorobe et al, 2016 ). Growing populations, climate change ( Nelson et al, 2016 ), and limits on the availability of arable land ( Beddington, 2010 ) make it increasingly difficult to meet food demands and under the changing climate currently ( Nelson et al, 2016 ). It’s not viable to improve rice yield through the expansion of arable land in the future; future efforts to meet rising food demands must therefore rely on maximizing rice yields.…”

The Climate Change, Food Security and Human Health Nexus in Canada: A Framework to Protect Population Health

“…As the framework suggests (Figure 2), proper functioning of the food system is integral for food security by supporting the critical dimensions of availability, accessibility, and utilization of food [24,26,58]. Given this relationship, food security may become compromised should any component of the food system experience disruption or stress in such a way that limits the accessibility, availability, and or proper utilization of food [26,46,58]. Ericksen [19] identifies three primary elements for each of the dimensions of food security, demonstrating the relationship with the food system.…”

“…The framework highlights that the presence and strength of food security is influenced by a number of different factors, including social, political, environmental, and economic determinants [19]. Evidence suggests, however, that climate change is increasingly becoming a significant stressor and influence on food security, through its impact on the food system [58]. Furthermore, climate change is a threat multiplier and can have impacts on the other factors that contribute to and influence food security status.…”

“…Despite the consensus that climate change will have significant implications for global food security, research to date has primarily concentrated on one aspect of food security: availability, with a heavy focus on agricultural food production [58]. As a result, there is limited understanding of the measurable impacts climate change will have on non-production components of the food system [8].…”

Nonlinear dynamics in agricultural systems in Chad

“…Accurately identifying and analyzing patterns of change in such systems requires analytical methods that move beyond assumptions of linear and gradual progressions. A recent review of studies of food and climate systems concluded that both the non-stationarity in human-environment systems, as well as the combination of sudden and gradual effects, must be acknowledged (Nelson, Zak, Davine, & Pau, 2016). Other reviews of land-use and crop land changes across the Sahel have found conflicting evidence of the directions of change (Rasmussen et al, 2016) and have emphasized the need for improved knowledge of changes and their drivers in agricultural systems (Van Vliet, Reenberg, & Rasmussen, 2013).…”