Extreme weather and resilience of the global food system

Extreme weather and resilience of the global food system

Published Jan 2015

Authors

R. Bailey, T.G. Benton, A. Challinor et al.

Publisher

Focus themes

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This report examines the resilience of the global food system to extreme weather.

This summary is built on three detailed reports and presents evidence that the global food system is vulnerable to production shocks caused by extreme weather, and that this risk is growing. It highlights evidence that our reliance on increasing volumes of global trade, whilst having many benefits, also creates structural vulnerability via a liability to amplify production shocks in some circumstances. It argues that action is needed to improve the resilience of the global food system to weather-related shocks, to mitigate their impact on people. Several recommendations are offered to understand the risks better, explore opportunities for coordinated risk management, improve the functioning of international markets and adapt agriculture for a changing climate.

[Adapted from source]

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