How climate change affects food security
Extreme weather is leaving more children without food
How is climate change affecting food security?
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to global food security. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and unpredictable climate patterns are disrupting agriculture and making food more expensive and scarce. The World Bank warns that climate change could push 132 million more people into poverty by 2030, worsening food insecurity—especially for vulnerable groups like children.
Jump to: The global impact | Solutions to food scarcity | Individual action
The World Bank warns that climate change could push an additional 132 million people into poverty by 2030.
Key impacts on food security
Climate change is making it harder for people to get enough food. It affects how food is grown, makes it more expensive and limits access to healthy meals. Here are some of the main ways it’s causing problems:
- Crop failure: Frequent droughts and floods lead to crop failures, reducing food availability.
- Heat stress: Higher temperatures cause heat stress in crops, decreasing yields.
- Extreme weather events: Hurricanes, floods, and other climate-related disasters destroy crops and disrupt food supply chains.
- Rising food prices: Reduced agricultural output leads to higher food costs, making it difficult for low-income families to afford nutritious meals.
- Declining fisheries: Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are reducing fish populations, a major protein source for millions.
- Soil degradation: Increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and unsustainable farming practices contribute to declining soil fertility and lower crop yields.
But what’s driving these changes? A major factor is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which are both accelerating climate change and making food production more difficult.
The link between greenhouse gas emissions and food security
Greenhouse gas emissions – CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide – are fuelling climate change and worsening food insecurity. Agriculture itself is caught in a vicious cycle: it suffers from climate impacts while also being a significant contributor to the crisis.
- Livestock farming releases large amounts of methane.
- Deforestation for farmland increases CO2 in the atmosphere.
- Synthetic fertilisers release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
These emissions intensify extreme weather patterns, disrupt ecosystems, and make it increasingly difficult to grow enough food to feed a growing population.
The global impact of climate change
The Amazon: fire and food insecurity
In 2023, more than 6 million hectares of Amazonian land were destroyed by wildfires, endangering the health, livelihoods and wellbeing of thousands of families. In response, World Vision provided assistance to affected communities, including digging ditches to slow the spread of fires.
“Fire is destroying forests, livestock pastures, and crops, polluting the air, and making it hazardous to children's health. Climate change and rising temperatures urgently need to be addressed. We are running out of time, and increasingly severe droughts are forcing families to relocate in search of basic services.” – Luis Corzo, Director of World Vision Amazon Basin Initiative.
According to a multi-agency United Nations study, 74% of the countries across Latin America and the Caribbean have high exposure to climate extremes, weakening agrifood systems, intensifying food insecurity and significantly increasing the risk of malnutrition, especially among vulnerable populations.
Chang’s story: surviving the flood
Chang, a 12-year-old boy in Myanmar, was caring for his younger siblings when a flood struck. His parents were out in the fields and unaware of the rising danger. With the help of their uncle, Chang managed to get his siblings to their grandparents' house, but soon, the entire first floor was submerged.
“We were so scared. The water was everywhere, and we had no food. We didn’t eat anything for a whole day and night,” Chang recalled.
When the water receded, they returned home to find their house and many of their possessions badly damaged. Fortunately, World Vision was on hand to provide crucial support in their time of need, including food, blankets, mosquito nets and rice to help them recover.
“With the help of World Vision, we now have food and the basic items we need to stay safe,” says Chang.
Unfortunately, as climate change worsens, flooding continues to threaten Chang’s village. Through our Child Sponsorship programme, we are able to protect children and their families from the effects of future disasters.
Malawi: risking lives for food
In Malawi, Bamusi’s community is regularly affected by natural disasters, including four cyclones in the last six years. As an experienced farmer in this rural area, he understands all too well the devastating effects the changing climate has on food supplies and livelihoods.
“We lose our crops to floods, and livestock are washed away. The floods bring sand onto our farmland, making it useless for farming.”
With sweet potato, maize and beans struggling to grow in the degraded soil, families have turned to a desperate food source – water lily bulbs, or nyika, which are found at the bottom of the river. However, the river is home to crocodiles and hippos, making the search for food a life-threatening job.
A local mother, Fatama, explains the process. “We dive into the water with a small bag around our waist. You feel with your hands on the river floor for the bulbs… The water is so cold, and dangerous, of course.”
Tragically, on average, two people – including some children – lose their lives in the river each month. Climate change is worsening natural disasters, leaving families with the impossible choice of going hungry or risking their lives for food.
Solutions to climate-related food shortages
Climate change is already disrupting food production, but there are solutions. Tackling food insecurity requires action from governments, businesses and individuals, alongside practical measures to help farmers adapt. By investing in sustainable approaches, we can protect both people’s livelihoods and future food supplies. Here are some of the key ways to build resilience in the face of climate change:
- Sustainable farming: Techniques such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) restore soil health, increase yields, and build resilience against climate shocks.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Sustainable methods like precision agriculture and organic farming not only improve food production but also lower emissions from the agricultural sector.
- Climate-smart infrastructure: Drought-resistant crops, efficient irrigation, and early warning systems help farmers prepare for and adapt to unpredictable weather patterns.
- Supporting farmers: Access to climate-resilient seeds, better tools, and hands-on training empowers smallholder farmers to sustain their livelihoods despite changing conditions.
- Emergency food aid: In the face of climate disasters, governments and aid organisations must continue to provide immediate relief while also helping communities build long-term resilience.
One powerful example of a climate-smart solution in action is Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). By harnessing the power of existing tree roots and natural ecosystems, this initiative is helping farmers overcome the challenges of a changing climate while securing food for the future.
I started practicing FMNR, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Liveness
Zambia
FMNR: transforming communities through climate resilience
Liveness was introduced to FMNR through the World Vision team in Zambia, where she lives. She adopted the new techniques, and shares how pruning trees has protected her home from strong winds and improved her environment. By nurturing a household forest, she has increased food security and fostered a culture of environmental stewardship. Inspired by her success, her neighbour, Francis, also adopted FMNR.
"I decided to adopt this concept because I witnessed the positive changes it brought to my neighbour’s land. The transformation was incredible.”
FMNR is a simple, low-cost solution that benefits both individuals and communities, promoting sustainable land management and resilience.
READ MORE: How we tackle climate change and protect children’s lives
Individual action: what you can do
While large-scale policies are essential, individuals can also contribute to climate action. Here are some simple steps we can all take:
- Reduce our food waste: Approximately one-third of all food produced is wasted. Reducing waste can lower demand on agricultural systems.
- Support sustainable agriculture: Purchase locally sourced and organic foods when possible.
- Advocate for climate policies: Support initiatives that promote renewable energy and carbon reduction.
- Sponsor a child: Give children living in some of the worst-affected climates access to nutritious food.
Help through Sponsorship
You can help fight climate-driven hunger. Through Child Sponsorship, you don’t just help one child — you support an entire community. You’ll be helping to fund sustainable farming programmes, and ensure more children and families receive enough nutritious food.
Sponsor a child today and help fight the global hunger crisis.
