The chapter "Food Security and Food Production Systems" in the 2014 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of climate change on food systems and food security. The authors, led by John R. Porter and Liyong Xie, examine the current state of food security, observed impacts of climate change, and projected future changes. Key findings include: 1. **Current State of Food Security**: Most people globally have enough food, but sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have the highest proportions of food-insecure populations. Food insecurity is closely linked to poverty, and price volatility can exacerbate food insecurity. 2. **Observed Impacts of Climate Change**: - **Crop Production**: Climate trends have negatively affected wheat and maize production in many regions, with some high-latitude regions benefiting from warming. Extreme events, such as heatwaves and frost damage, have significant impacts on crop yields. - ** Fisheries Production**: Warming temperatures have shifted the distribution of fish species, with some commercial species negatively affected and others positively affected. Coral reefs, which provide food and resources to millions, are under threat from climate change. - **Livestock Production**: Climate changes have facilitated the spread of diseases and altered the distribution of ticks, which carry zoonotic diseases. 3. **Food Security and Food Prices**: Food prices have become more sensitive to weather-related supply shortfalls, and recent price spikes often follow climate extremes in major producing regions. Policy reactions can amplify these price responses. 4. **Assessing Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Risks**: - **Methods and Uncertainty**: Improved methods for assessing impacts, including quantification of uncertainty, have been developed. Statistical models and process-based models are used to understand the relationships between climate and food production. - **Sensitivity of Food Production**: Crops are sensitive to extreme temperatures, with negative impacts on yields. Climate change will increase inter-annual variability in crop yields. - **Sensitivity of Food Security**: All aspects of food security are potentially affected, including access, utilization, and price stability. Non-production elements of food security, such as nutritional quality, are less well understood. 5. **Adaptation and Managing Risks**: - **Adaptation Needs**: Adaptation strategies are crucial to minimize negative impacts. Multi-level adaptive strategies are recommended for fisheries, aquaculture, and livestock production. - **Case Studies**: Successful and unsuccessful adaptation examples are discussed, highlighting the importance of facilitating adaptation and avoiding maladaptation. The chapter emphasizes the need for more observational evidence and research on the effectiveness of adaptations across all levels of the food system. It also highlights the importance of cross-sectoral approaches to address food security as a complex, cross-sectoral issue.The chapter "Food Security and Food Production Systems" in the 2014 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of climate change on food systems and food security. The authors, led by John R. Porter and Liyong Xie, examine the current state of food security, observed impacts of climate change, and projected future changes. Key findings include: 1. **Current State of Food Security**: Most people globally have enough food, but sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have the highest proportions of food-insecure populations. Food insecurity is closely linked to poverty, and price volatility can exacerbate food insecurity. 2. **Observed Impacts of Climate Change**: - **Crop Production**: Climate trends have negatively affected wheat and maize production in many regions, with some high-latitude regions benefiting from warming. Extreme events, such as heatwaves and frost damage, have significant impacts on crop yields. - ** Fisheries Production**: Warming temperatures have shifted the distribution of fish species, with some commercial species negatively affected and others positively affected. Coral reefs, which provide food and resources to millions, are under threat from climate change. - **Livestock Production**: Climate changes have facilitated the spread of diseases and altered the distribution of ticks, which carry zoonotic diseases. 3. **Food Security and Food Prices**: Food prices have become more sensitive to weather-related supply shortfalls, and recent price spikes often follow climate extremes in major producing regions. Policy reactions can amplify these price responses. 4. **Assessing Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Risks**: - **Methods and Uncertainty**: Improved methods for assessing impacts, including quantification of uncertainty, have been developed. Statistical models and process-based models are used to understand the relationships between climate and food production. - **Sensitivity of Food Production**: Crops are sensitive to extreme temperatures, with negative impacts on yields. Climate change will increase inter-annual variability in crop yields. - **Sensitivity of Food Security**: All aspects of food security are potentially affected, including access, utilization, and price stability. Non-production elements of food security, such as nutritional quality, are less well understood. 5. **Adaptation and Managing Risks**: - **Adaptation Needs**: Adaptation strategies are crucial to minimize negative impacts. Multi-level adaptive strategies are recommended for fisheries, aquaculture, and livestock production. - **Case Studies**: Successful and unsuccessful adaptation examples are discussed, highlighting the importance of facilitating adaptation and avoiding maladaptation. The chapter emphasizes the need for more observational evidence and research on the effectiveness of adaptations across all levels of the food system. It also highlights the importance of cross-sectoral approaches to address food security as a complex, cross-sectoral issue.