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New IPCC Report Sheds Light on the Growing Impacts of Climate Change

June 23, 2014

tuvalu.nodeThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) most recent report titled Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability offers assessments on social and environmental impacts of climate change and sustainable development. It affirms the need to prioritize the adverse effects of changing climate, like food security and production, in discussions of sustainability now.

According to the report, “In some parts of the world, insufficient responses to emerging impacts are already eroding the basis for sustainable development.” In other words, the opportunities to take preventive action may decrease over time as the environmental and social constraints brought by climate change become more acute. Disaster risk management plans, for example, are cited as one measure governments can take to protect the well-being of endangered constituencies.

The report asserts that natural and human systems are being altered by climate change. These effects can be seen through changes in hydrological systems that are affecting the quantity and quality of water, shifts in migration patterns among terrestrial, marine, and freshwater species, and agricultural production. As outlined in the report through taxation, economic incentives, and policies for the environment and climate would foster more responsible operations across various sectors throughout the world. Furthermore, increasing investments towards agricultural research and development will mitigate the cost and effects of challenges posed by climate change and help communities that are already at risk.

At The Hunger Project, our epicenters focus on teaching environmentally sustainable practices like composting and drip irrigation. With 121 epicenters, we have found that empowering communities with agricultural trainings is a gateway to food security.

Sustainable change requires social, economic and political collaboration. We are excited to see a growing interest in adopting a holistic approach to responsible environmental management. Tell us what you think @HungerProject.

Photo Credit: IPCC

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