The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which was
released last week, concludes that climate change is already damaging food
production and increasing food prices, and will have further impacts in the
future. The highly anticipated document raises fresh concerns for food
security and farming, especially in tropical regions like South Asia and
sub-Saharan Africa.

The report indicates that crop yields in Africa and Asia could decline by
eight percent by 2050 and yields from tropical fisheries by as much as 40
percent. Yet during this same period, demand for food is expected to surge
as diets change and populations rise in the developing world. Despite such
predictions, the IPCC assessment provides policymakers with the scientific
consensus and evidence that justifies greater investments in adaptation,
especially in developing countries. Also cited in the report are the
initiatives in developing countries with climate-related agriculture
adaptation efforts that can serve as models for interventions elsewhere.

Pramod Aggarwal, a reviewer of the report said "The IPCC assessment shows
that the threat to food security is not just a problem for the future, but
something that is happening right now and demands immediate attention."

[www.ipcc.ch]