Climate Change and its Implications for Small Farmers

In the earth’s history, climate change is a natural, slow moving phenomenon. But its unpredictability and the rapidity with which it is happening now have made it a problem. Today, the threat of climate change on global survival systems has emerged as a critical, urgent issue.

Scientific studies show that the earth’s average temperature has increased by about 0.50C in the last 150 years, whereas in the last 10,000 years, the increase has been only 10C. It is no coincidence that the last 150 years correspond with the time since industrialization began. What is ironic is that though this rapid climate change is largely caused by the unsustainable production and consumption patterns of industrialized Northern countries, it is the people of the South, and particularly the majority small food producers, who suffer the most from its effects. Be it the rising sea levels, floods or droughts, or uneven and untimely rains, the most severe impact is on the food and agriculture of the people.

But these are only the physical effects. Climate change has social, cultural, and particularly economic and political dimensions, which have made the situation more complicated and critical for the people of the South.

This Special Release traces the effects of climate change problems on food and agriculture and underlines the implications that these impacts hold for the small food producers. It also notes that the international negotiations to address climate change are in fact adding to its complication and burden for the common person.

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This Special Release on “Climate Change and Its Implications for Small Farmers” is researched and written by Rosario Bella Guzman, Executive Editor at IBON Foundation Inc. (Philippines), an independent development institution established in 1978 that provides research, education, publications, information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues.

This ninth issue of Special Release is published by the People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS) and the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP). This publication aims to provide critical analyses and raise awareness on food sovereignty issues.