Ocean warming, tropical hurricanes, floods, and droughts could have a devastating impact on food security in the Pacific island nations, warns the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization on Tuesday.
In a report on climate change and food security in Pacific island countries, a “decline in food security” is predicted for these nations, says FAO senior official Alexander Mueller. “Countries will need to assess the vulnerability of their food systems and how they can adapt agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to future climate disasters. Action must be taken without delay,” he added, as stated in a release from the specialized agency based in Rome.
“Increasing coastal flooding, salinization, and erosion due to rising sea levels and human activities could contaminate and reduce arable agricultural land and, in this way, threaten the food security of households and communities,” the report emphasizes. “The projected rise in ocean levels and expected changes in their surface temperatures could very likely lead to reduced fishery productivity and food security,” the document continues.
“Adapting to climate change in policies, strategies, programs, and national budgets related to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries should become an absolute priority,” Mueller stressed. “Nations that have opted for a monoculture system will need to assess their food security potential. It is now evident that under climate change scenarios, diverse cropping systems will achieve better results,” the report concludes. (H)
