The Potential Effects of Climate Change on World Food Supply

Abstract

Review article for whole book availableParry, Martin. The potential effects of climate change on world food supply. In: Population and the environment: the Linacre Lectures 1993-4, edited by Bryan Cartledge. 1995. 74-98 pp. Oxford University Press: Oxford, England. In Eng."This chapter reports the findings of a major study undertaken by the Environmental Change Unit at Oxford, in conjunction with Columbia University in New York City....There are two main components to this study: the estimation of potential changes in crop yield [resulting from potential climate changes], and the estimation of world food trade responses." The results indicate that "the effects on crop yields in mid- and high-latitude regions appear to be less adverse than those in low-latitude regions....When the economic implications of these changes in crop yields are explored in a world food trade model, the relative ability of the world food system to absorb impacts decreases with the magnitude of the impact. Regional differences in effects remain noticeable: developed countries are expected to be less affected by climate change than developing economies....However, all the scenarios of future climate adopted in this study increase the estimates of the number of people at risk from hunger."-- similar article in LUCCCorrespondence: M. Parry, University College London, Department of Environmental Management, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, England. Location: Princeton University Library (SPR).