An Overview of Climate Change and Food Security: Adaptation Strategies and Mitigation Measures in Nigeria

Abstract

Climate Change is caused by the release of billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other heat trapping gases known as Green House Gases into the atmosphere. This results in depletion of ozone layer leading to increase in the earth’s surface temperature due to direct heating of earth’s surface by the sun. This paper discusses the impact of climate change on food security. Climate change impacts on food security in a number of ways. Climate change is impacting on oceans, seas, lakes and rivers and on the animals and plants that are found and/or cultured in them. In Nigeria, thousands of people and their families whose livelihood depend on fishing and aquaculture are affected by climate change as fish become less abundant because many migrate to other areas due to extreme weather events, droughts and the warming of waters. Furthermore, climate change results in low agricultural productivity increase in agricultural pests and diseases, hunger and starvation and in extreme cases death. Various adaptation strategies for coping with the effects of climate change on food security are discussed among which are: use of more efficient crop varieties, more efficient irrigation and watershed management, efficient use of climate data and forecasts, through early warning systems, changing planting dates, and introducing irrigation into current rain fed systems.

Keywords: Climate Change, Food Security, Adaptation Strategies, Mitigation Measures.