CLIMATE
CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY
by
Antonio C. Antonio
January
22, 2014
Climate
change is not at all confined to “global warming” which is the primordial
concern of everyone especially the developed countries. A reverse
condition to global warming, therefore an extreme drop in temperature, is also
a serious concern. Whatever the rank of a country --- First, Second or
Third World --- no one could be spared from the ill effects of climate change.
The
farmers in the Trinidad, Benguet area (where a drop in temperature to 8 degrees
centigrade) lost their vegetable crops. As we all know, Baguio is the
vegetable basket of Luzon where a bigger percentage of vegetable produce come
from. Temperature changes, whether high or low, so long as it is not
within normal levels is what climate change is all about. This applies to
most primary commodities.
Climate
change also has a negative effect on food production. Again, like in the
case of Baguio, an entire crop of vegetables have to be condemned on account of
the frost. The normal cropping and production cycle in the Trinidad
Valley has been disrupted which will only lead to low supply of vegetables in
Luzon. A low supply of food resources could only lead to an increase in
demand for the particular item and, as the Law of Supply and Demand would
dictate, the prices for these scarce items will increase.
Anthropogenic
climate change will definitely affect food production which will also have a
negative effect on food supply and security. An escalation in the prices
of prime commodities will not be much of an issue in more advanced economies…
but for underdeveloped and developing economies, where the purchasing power of
people is weak, it will be a dire concern. Rich and poor nations could
have different strategies in adapting to limited food supply. People in
rich countries could opt for cheap food but not necessarily inferior in quality
while people in poor countries have no choice but to settle for cheaper food
that sacrifices quality. As another adaptive strategy, it is also quite
possible that people will also lessen their food intake.
The
only “advantage” of the Filipino race in the dire effects of climate change is
its tested resiliency. After centuries of foreign domination, being ruled
by a few political and economic elite and being marginalized in own country has
made us very adaptive to socio-political and economic hardships. Kung
baga, sanay tayo sa hirap. While other nations will probably go crazy
with the thought of food shortages, the Filipino will simply laugh at this
problem, go on his merry way and look for solutions. Past experiences
made the Filipino understand better what adaptation is all about.
Just
my little thoughts…
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