Droughts and floods

• Climate change refers to weather conditions that shift over time.
• The average temperature of the earth has increased in recent decades (global warming), which has led to more extreme and unpredictable weather conditions. Some places become warmer, colder, wetter and drier than normal
• Climate change will have a significant impact on food availability, access to food as well as the stability of food systems
• More frequent and intense droughts and floods in certain areas will affect the ability to produce sufficient food
• Drought conditions increase the risk of crop failure and massive livestock losses as a result of a shortage of water and pasture.
• Land that has been stripped of vegetation as a result of drought is more vulnerable to soil erosion, which in turn leads to the degradation of valuable agricultural land
• During floods, valuable, fertile topsoil is washed away, leaving the land unsuitable for the planting of crops in the future.
• Frequent floods destroy crops and livestock may drown
• Possible actions to reduce the effects of droughts and floods

  • Construction of dams may alleviate some water shortages and control flooding
  • Reduced levels of deforestation and overgrazing will help to restore topsoil