Research finds a significant drop in food consumption, putting millions at risk of hunger
December 5, 2015, Paris – If left unchecked, climate change in the Philippines may greatly increase the number of people who go hungry and negatively impact the economy, new research from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) shows.
Climate change scenarios played out to 2030 and 2050 in the Philippines show a reduction in average per capita consumption of cereals by 24 percent and fruits and vegetables by 13 percent—increasing the number of people at risk of hunger by 1.4 million in 2030 and 2.5 million by 2050—if measures to curb rising global temperatures fail. The projected economic costs are estimated at an annual average of Php186 billion, or $4.3 billion.
“It is critical that the world community works together to develop adaptation policies to ensure that the changing climate does not undermine efforts to reduce hunger and undernutrition,” said Mark Rosegrant, director of the environment and production technology division at IFPRI.
The research will be presented on Dec. 5 at the Global Landscapes Forum, a side event of the climate change talks taking place in Paris through Dec. 11.
The large negative effects of climate change on the rest of the Philippine economy include increased international commodity prices that result in terms of trade and real exchange rate losses and reduced growth in industrial and service sectors and consumer welfare.
But the study also shows that policies and investments can dramatically reduce these negative impacts. Increased investment in agricultural research and irrigation to boost rice and other crop productivity growth shows significant impact in reducing the negative climate effects.
IFPRI is working closely with the Government of the Philippines to assess the agricultural climate change impact on the Philippine economy, examine the impact of climate change on food production, food prices, and food security, and assess the effectiveness of alternative adaptation strategies.