La food safety It has become one of the major concerns of the 21st century due to the increasingly noticeable effects of climate changeNot only is food availability at stake, but also the social stability, health, and survival of millions of people worldwide. Climate change has shown that no country, no matter how developed, is exempt from facing substantial risks to its own food supply.
In recent decades, a clear trend towards greater aridity in large areas of the planet, directly affecting access to water and, consequently, to the farmingCrops are increasingly dependent on erratic rainfall and dwindling water resources. Increasing heat waves, droughts, and desertification have led to soil deterioration and increased difficulties in growing the staple foods that sustain the global diet.
Global warming threatens food production
Recent studies indicate that if the current emissions trajectory continues, Production of key crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans could fall by 40 to 50% in regions such as the United States, China, and parts of Europe. before the end of the century. For every degree that temperatures rise, humanity would lose about 120 calories per person per day in their average diet, an alarming figure for the most vulnerable population. Furthermore, the loss of yields in vital crops increases pressure on rural communities, where food insecurity and malnutrition are becoming increasingly common. In this context, it is worth highlighting how the impact of climate change on agriculture It is directly related to food security and climate.
The case of cassava in African areas illustrates how some crops traditionally considered resistant can also be compromised by the extreme heat and droughtThis increases pressure on rural communities, where food insecurity can translate into malnutrition and forced migration.
Rural communities and migration: the forgotten by climate change
The impact on the rural population The impact—especially in areas like Guatemala's Dry Corridor—is palpable. Unpredictable weather and reduced rainfall have forced many families to abandon their land. Migration, uprooting and the fragmentation of the social fabric are often unavoidable. This situation particularly affects women, who assume responsibility for both agricultural work and family care, are forced to travel longer distances to fetch water, and are barely able to sustain themselves on a daily basis.
La desertification and water scarcity also impact the health and the customs of these peoples. The loss of traditional knowledge about agricultural cycles, passed down through generations, is exacerbated in contexts where it is no longer possible to plant crops following the climatic patterns of the past.
Strategies and limits of agricultural adaptation
Faced with the threat of climate change, science and politics are seeking new ways to adapt. The development of genetically modified crops to withstand extreme heat Emerging as one of the responses, allowing some plants to maintain their yield even when temperatures exceed 40°C. Innovative techniques, such as gene editing or photosynthesis manipulation, pave the way for greater agricultural resilience. However, it is also essential to strengthen policies that promote sustainable agricultural practices, as highlighted in Challenges in the sustainable use of land and water.
However, Experts insist that these technological solutions are not enough. The lack of financing to extend these methods on a large scale and social and regulatory barriers, due to the population's distrust of genetically modified foods, complicate their implementation. reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to sustainable energy models remain essential to avoid the worst consequences.
Water management, the land-climate nexus and the value of public policies
Another major challenge is managing water efficiently and equitably. If access to water resources is not guaranteed, production costs will increase, generating a spiral of poverty and abandonment of the countryside. Often, the technical answer of transporting water from far away or drilling deeper It entails considerable environmental and social impacts, in addition to making food more expensive.
National policies play a key role. Governments in various countries have launched initiatives to strengthen food security and consider agriculture a fundamental part of food sovereignty. However, peasant organizations warn of the risks of prioritizing export-oriented industrial agriculture over more sustainable models adapted to local conditions.
Therefore, integrating the voices of rural communities, strengthening coordination across sectors, and regulating land use while taking into account climate, development, and equity needs is essential.
The link between food security and climate It represents one of the greatest contemporary challenges. The decisions we make today will determine whether future generations can access sufficient, safe, and affordable food, and whether rural ways of life and agricultural biodiversity can be maintained.