THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE

ARQUIZA, EL JASHLEY

DINGLASA, ZYKA RHEA

LEONAR, MIA

MADRIDONDO, FRANCE

SALAMAT, ANIFA

February 2023
I. Introduction

Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases which contribute to the greenhouse

effect and climate change. Healthy, sustainable and inclusive food systems are critical to achieve

the world’s development goals. Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to

end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and feed a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050.

Growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective in raising incomes among the

poorest compared to other sectors. Agriculture is also crucial to economic growth: accounting for

4% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and in some least developing countries, it can

account for more than 25% of GDP. But agriculture-driven growth, poverty reduction, and food

security are at risk: Multiple shocks – from COVID-19 related disruptions to extreme weather,

pests, and conflicts – are impacting food systems, resulting in higher food prices and growing

hunger. The war in Ukraine has triggered a global food crisis that is driving millions more into

extreme poverty. The World Bank is making up to $30 billion available as part of a global

response to the food crisis. However, the changing climate is having far reaching impacts on

agricultural production, which are likely to challenge food security in the future. Accelerating

climate change could further cut crop yields, especially in the world’s most food-insecure

regions. Agriculture, forestry, and land use change are responsible for about 25% of greenhouse

gas emissions. Mitigation in the agriculture sector is part of the solution to climate change.

Climate change is likely to contribute substantially to food insecurity in the future, by increasing

food prices, and reducing food production. Food may become more expensive as climate change

mitigation efforts increase energy prices. Water required for food production may become more

scarce due to increased crop water use and drought. Competition for land may increase as certain

areas become climatically unsuitable for production. In addition, extreme weather events,

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associated with climate change may cause sudden reductions in agricultural productivity, leading

to rapid price increases. For example, heat waves in the summer of 2010 led to yield losses in

key production areas including: Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and contributed to a dramatic

increase in the price of staple foods. These rising prices forced growing numbers of local people

into poverty, providing a sobering demonstration of how the influence of climate change can

result in food insecurity. Current food systems also threaten the health of people and the planet

and generate unsustainable levels of pollution and waste. One third of food produced globally is

either lost or wasted. Addressing food loss and waste is critical to improving food and nutrition

security, as well as helping to meet climate goals and reduce stress on the environment. Risks

associated with poor diets are also the leading cause of death worldwide. Millions of people are

either not eating enough or eating the wrong types of food, resulting in a double burden of

malnutrition that can lead to illnesses and health crises. A 2021 report found that between 720

and 811 million people went hungry in 2020, more than 10% of the world's population. Food

insecurity can worsen diet quality and increase the risk of various forms of malnutrition,

potentially leading to under nutrition as well as people being overweight and obese. An

estimated 3 billion people in the world cannot afford a healthy diet.

Agriculture in the Philippines is an important part of the economy of the Philippines with

crops like rice, coconut and sugar dominating the production of crops and exports. It employs

23% of the Filipino workforce as of 2021, according to the World Bank. The Philippines is one

of the most vulnerable agricultural systems to monsoons and other extreme weather events,

which are expected to create more uncertainty as climate change effects the Philippines.

However, the Food and Agriculture Organization has described the local policy measures as

some of the most proactive in risk reduction. The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country

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with a large portion of Filipinos living in rural areas and supporting themselves through

agricultural activities. Recent figures suggest that about a quarter of employed Filipinos work in

the agricultural sector which is made up of four sub-sectors: farming, fisheries, livestock, and

forestry. In 2021, the sector generated a gross value added (GVA) of about 1.76 trillion

Philippine pesos, equivalent to a 9.6 percent share of the country’s gross domestic product

(GDP).However, as a result of the prolonged lockdown imposed due to the coronavirus

(COVID-19) pandemic, along with the natural calamities that occurred in the country, the

sector’s gross output contracted by 1.7 percent in that year. Due to its terrain and tropical climate

condition, farming and fisheries have been the largest agricultural sub-sectors in the Philippines.

Crop production, particularly of sugarcane, palay or rice, coconut, and bananas were among the

highest nationwide and were also among the top export products. In recent years, fruits and nuts,

along with animal or vegetable fats and oils contributed the largest share of the total agricultural

exports of the country. In terms of livestock, hog, cattle, and goat were the country’s major

products while chicken and duck were the leading poultry products. On the other hand, the

fisheries sector, which is composed of three subsectors: commercial, municipal, and aquaculture,

reflected slow growth in recent years. The export value of principal fishery products from the

country had also been declining since 2019 as the volume of production fluctuated. Among the

main contributing factors were climate change and the practice of uncontrolled and unsustainable

overfishing. The principal barrier to food security is currently food access. Sufficient food is

produced globally to feed the current world population, yet more than 10% are undernourished.

Climate change is happening now. Evidences have been seen supports the fact that the

change cannot simply be explained by natural variation. The most recent scientific assessments

have confirmed that this warming of the climate system since the mid-20th century is most likely
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to be due to human activities; and thus, is due to the observed increase in greenhouse gas

concentrations from human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and land use change.

Current warming has increasingly posed quite considerable challenges to man and the

environment, and will continue to do so in the future. Presently, some autonomous adaptation is

taking place, but we need to consider a more pro-active adaptation planning in order to ensure

sustainable development. What does it take to ensure that adaptation planning has a scientific

basis? Firstly, we need to be able to investigate the potential consequences of anthropogenic or

human induced climate change and to do this, a plausible future climate based on a reliable and

accurate baseline (or present) climate must be constructed. This is what climate scientists call a

climate change scenario. It is a projection of the response of the climate system to future

emissions or concentrations of greenhouse gases and aerosols, and is simulated using climate

models. Essentially, it describes possible future changes in climate variables (such as

temperatures, rainfall, storminess, winds, etc.) based on baseline climatic conditions. The climate

change scenarios outputs (projections) are an important step forward in improving our

understanding of our complex climate, particularly in the future. These show how our local

climate could change dramatically should the global community fail to act towards effectively

reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is one of the most fundamental challenges

ever to confront humanity. Its adverse impacts are already being seen and may intensify

exponentially over time if nothing is done to reduce further emissions of greenhouse gases.

Decisively dealing NOW with climate change is key to ensuring sustainable development,

poverty eradication and safeguarding economic growth. Scientific assessments indicate that the

II. Body

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 Climate change can make conditions better or worse for growing crops in different

regions. For example, changes in temperature, rainfall, and frost-free days are leading to longer

growing seasons in almost every state. A longer growing season can have both positive and

negative impacts for raising food. Some farmers may be able to plant longer-maturing crops or

more crop cycles altogether, while others may need to provide more irrigation over a longer,

hotter growing season. Air pollution may also damage crops, plants, and forests. For example,

when plants absorb large amounts of ground-level ozone, they experience reduced

photosynthesis, slower growth, and higher sensitivity to diseases. Climate change can also

increase the threat of wildfires. Wildfires pose major risks to farmlands, grasslands, and

rangelands. Temperature and precipitation changes will also very likely expand the occurrence

and range of insects, weeds, and diseases. This could lead to a greater need for weed and pest

control. Pollination is vital to more than 100 crops grown in the United States. Warmer

temperatures and changing precipitation can affect when plants bloom and when pollinators,

such as bees and butterflies, come out. If mismatches occur between when plants flower and

when pollinators emerge, pollination could decrease. In 1992, the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted as the basis for a global response to the

problem. The Philippines signed the UNFCCC on 12 June 1992 and ratified the international

treaty on 2 August 1994. Presently, the Convention enjoys near-universal membership, with 194

Country Parties. Recognizing that the climate system is a shared resource which is greatly

affected by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, the UNFCCC has set out an overall

framework for intergovernmental efforts to consider what can be done to reduce global warming

and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. Its ultimate objective is to

stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous

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human interference with the climate system. Countries are actively discussing and negotiating

ways to deal with the climate change problem within the UNFCCC using two central

approaches. The first task is to address the root cause by reducing greenhouse gas emissions

from human activity. The means to achieve this are very contentious, as it will require radical

changes in the way many societies are organized, especially in respect to fossil fuel use, industry

operations, land use, and development. Within the climate change arena, the reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions is called mitigation. The second task in responding to climate change

is to manage its impacts. Future impacts on the environment and society are now inevitable,

owing to the amount of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere from past decades of

industrial and other human activities, and to the added amounts from continued emissions over

the next few decades until such time as mitigation policies and actions become effective. We are

therefore committed to changes in the climate. Taking steps to cope with the changed climate

conditions both in terms of reducing adverse impacts and taking advantage of potential benefits

is called adaptation.

The Philippines has roughly 30 million hectares of land area in which a huge part of it is

considered agricultural. With this, the country has rich natural resources and a great focus on the

agricultural sector. Moreover, this served as a backbone of the economy of the Philippines as its

main product for export comes from the hard work of the agricultural workers. Thus, the

importance of agriculture in the Philippines is undeniable. But with the ongoing extreme effects

of global warming bringing climate change, will it affect our food supply and agricultural lands

in the Philippines? Agriculture in the country could be severely affected by temperature changes

coupled with changes in rain regimes and patterns. Crops have been shown to suffer decreases in

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yields whenever temperatures have exceeded threshold values and possibly result to spikelet

sterility, as in the case of rice. The reduction in crop yield would remain unmitigated or even

aggravated if management technologies are not put in place. Additionally, in areas where rain

patterns change or when extreme events such as floods or droughts happen more often, grain and

other agricultural produce could suffer shortfalls in the absence of effective and timely

interventions. Tropical cyclones, particularly if there will be an increase in numbers and/or

strength will continue to exert pressure on agricultural production. Moreover, temperature

increases coupled with rainfall changes could affect the incidence/outbreaks of pests and

diseases, both in plants and animals. The pathways through which diseases and pests could be

triggered and rendered most favorable to spread are still largely unknown. It is therefore

important that research focus on these issues. Decreased yields and inadequate job opportunities

in the agricultural sector could lead to migration and shifts in population, resulting to more

pressure in already depressed urban areas, particularly in mega cities. Food security will largely

be affected, especially if timely, effective and efficient interventions are not put in place.

Insufficient food supply could further lead to more malnutrition, higher poverty levels, and

possibly, heightened social unrest and conflict in certain areas in the country, and even among

the indigenous tribes. A careful assessment of primary and secondary impacts in this sector,

particularly, in production systems and livelihoods will go a long way in avoiding food security

and livelihood issues. Proactive planning (short- and long-term adaptation measures) will help in

attaining poverty eradication, sufficient nutrition and secure livelihoods goals. There is a wide

cross-section of adaptation strategies that could be put in place, such as horizontal and vertical

diversification of crops, farmer field schools which incorporate use of weather/climate

information in agricultural operations, including policy environment for subsidies and climate-

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friendly agricultural technologies, weather-based insurance, and others. To date, there has not

been much R&D that has been done on inland and marine fisheries technologies, a research

agenda on resilient marine sector could form part of long-term planning for this subsector.

Health challenges to agricultural workers and livestock. Agricultural workers face several

climate-related health risks. These include exposures to heat and other extreme weather, more

pesticide exposure due to expanded pest presence, disease-carrying pests like mosquitos and

ticks, and degraded air quality. Language barriers, lack of health care access, and other factors

can compound these risks. Heat and humidity can also affect the health and productivity of

animals raised for meat, milk, and eggs. Climate change refers to changes beyond the average

atmospheric condition that are caused both by natural factors such as the orbit of earth’s

revolution, volcanic activities and crustal movements and by artificial factors such as the

increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosol. Climate change by global

warming, which refers to the average increase in global temperature, has become a megatrend

that will lead to significant global changes in the future. Concerning its impacts, the UN

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented considerable scientific evidences

in its fourth report on climate change (2007) and they have become clearly recognized

worldwide. In addition, people have become more aware of the fact that global warming cannot

be avoided due to the continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the changes in the

climate system. The Club of Rome Report 1972 officially raised global warming as an

international issue and, in 1985, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations

Environment Programme (UNEP) officially declared carbon dioxide as the principal cause of

global warming. Climate change can affect crops, livestock, soil and water resources, rural

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communities, and agricultural workers. However, the agriculture sector also emits greenhouse

gases into the atmosphere that contribute to climate change.

The unimpeded growth of greenhouse gas emissions is raising the earth's temperature.

The consequences include melting glaciers, more precipitation, more and more extreme weather

events, and shifting seasons. The accelerating pace of climate change, combined with global

population and income growth, threatens food security everywhere. Agriculture is extremely

vulnerable to climate change. Higher temperatures eventually reduce yields of desirable crops

while encouraging weed and pest proliferation.

Changes in precipitation patterns increase the likelihood of short-run crop failures and

long-run production declines. Although there will be gains in some crops in some regions of the

world, the overall impacts of climate change on agriculture are expected to be negative,

threatening global food security. Populations in the developing world, which are already

vulnerable and food insecure, are likely to be the most seriously affected. As our climate

continues to heat up and the impacts of that warming grow more frequent and severe, farmers

and farm communities around the world will be increasingly challenged. The combination of

advancing climate change and an already-vulnerable industrial system is a “perfect storm” that

threatens farmers’ livelihoods and our food supply. The good news is that there are tools—in the

form of science-based farming practices—that can buffer farmers from climate damage and help

make their operations more resilient and sustainable for the long term. But farmers face many

obstacles to changing practices, so it’s critical that policymakers shift federal agriculture

investments to support and accelerate this transition.

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III. Conclusion

Agriculture is very sensitive to weather and climate. It also relies heavily on land, water,

and other natural resources that climate affects. While climate changes (such as in temperature,

precipitation, and frost timing) could lengthen the growing season or allow different crops to be

grown in some regions,6 it will also make agricultural practices more difficult in others.

The effects of climate change on agriculture will depend on the rate and severity of the

change, as well as the degree to which farmers and ranchers can adapt.7 U.S. agriculture already

has many practices in place to adapt to a changing climate, including crop rotation and integrated

pest management. A good deal of research is also under way to help prepare for a changing

climate.

We can reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture in many ways, including the

following:

 Incorporate climate-smart farming methods. Farmers can use climate forecasting

tools, plant cover crops, and take other steps to help manage climate-related

production threats.

 Reduce runoff. Agricultural producers can strategically apply fertilizers, keep

their animals out of streams, and take more actions to reduce nutrient-laden

runoff.

 Boost crop resistance. Adopt research-proven ways to reduce the impacts of

climate change on crops and livestock, such as reducing pesticide use and

improving pollination.

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  Prevent food waste. Stretch your dollar and shrink your carbon footprint by

planning your shopping trips carefully and properly storing food. Donate

nutritious, untouched food to food banks and those in need.

 Efficient Irrigation Management.

 Renewable Energy

 Organic Practices

 Increasing Soil Health

 Keeping Agriculture Green

When green growth in the agricultural sector is successfully implemented, agriculture

will solidify its position not only as a green industry that manages national land in an

environmentally sustainable manner but also as a life industry that supplies safe agricultural

products and manages national greenhouse gas emissions.

Undeniably, the irregularities of the climate will have an impact to every aspect to the

economy, and agriculture is not an exception. Statistics have proven a lot since then regarding

the negative causes due to climate change but each and every day we find ways to become

efficient in our ways. Waste from factories or any recycled trash can be a part of something

entirely new and be reusable. The more calamities endangering the agricultural community, the

more we learn on how clever ways on avoiding any future mishaps, we might gain anything that

could benefit the rural area in their farming.

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