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Climate Change and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Heather E. Thompson

    (Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University, 3460 McTavish Street, Montreal, QC, H3A1X9, Canada)

  • Lea Berrang-Ford

    (Department of Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC, H3A2K6, Canada)

  • James D. Ford

    (Department of Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC, H3A2K6, Canada)

Abstract

In recent years it has become clear that climate change is an inevitable process. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the expectation is that climate change will have an especially negative impact, not only a result of projected warming and rainfall deficits, but also because of the vulnerability of the population. The impact upon food security will be of great significance, and may be defined as being composed of three components: availability, access, and utilization. To further investigate the link, a systematic literature review was done of the peer-reviewed literature related to climate change and food security, employing the realist review method. Analysis of the literature found consistent predictions of decreased crop productivity, land degradation, high market prices, negative impacts on livelihoods, and increased malnutrition. Adaptation strategies were heavily discussed as a means of mitigating a situation of severe food insecurity across the entire region. This is linked to issues of development, whereby adaptation is essential to counteract the negative impacts and improve the potential of the population to undergo development processes. Findings additionally revealed a gap in the literature about how nutrition will be affected, which is of importance given the links between poor nutrition and lack of productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather E. Thompson & Lea Berrang-Ford & James D. Ford, 2010. "Climate Change and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:8:p:2719-2733:d:9373
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alessandro Concari & Gerjo Kok & Pim Martens, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Review of Concepts and Factors Related to Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Waste Management Through an Interdisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-50, May.
    2. Clodine S. Mbuli & Lotsmart N. Fonjong & Amber J. Fletcher, 2021. "Climate Change and Small Farmers’ Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Maria Stella Righettini & Elisa Bordin, 2023. "Exploring food security as a multidimensional topic: twenty years of scientific publications and recent developments," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 2739-2758, June.
    4. Jorinda Steenkamp & Elizelle Juanee Cilliers & Sarel Stephanus Cilliers & Louis Lategan, 2021. "Food for Thought: Addressing Urban Food Security Risks through Urban Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
    5. Daniel Tuki, 2022. "The Effect of Violent Conflict on the Socioeconomic Condition of Households in Nigeria: The Case of Kaduna State," HiCN Working Papers 373, Households in Conflict Network.
    6. Sassi, Maria & Cardaci, Alberto, 2013. "Impact of rainfall pattern on cereal market and food security in Sudan: Stochastic approach and CGE model," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 321-331.
    7. Kadigi, Ibrahim L. & Richardson, James W. & Mutabazi, Khamaldin D. & Philip, Damas & Mourice, Sixbert K. & Mbungu, Winfred & Bizimana, Jean-Claude & Sieber, Stefan, 2020. "The effect of nitrogen-fertilizer and optimal plant population on the profitability of maize plots in the Wami River sub-basin, Tanzania: A bio-economic simulation approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    8. Maurizio Tiepolo & Sarah Braccio, 2020. "Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Local Development Plans for Rural Tropical Africa: A Systematic Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Cobbing, Jude & Hiller, Bradley, 2019. "Waking a sleeping giant: Realizing the potential of groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 597-613.
    10. Robert Becker Pickson & Elliot Boateng, 2022. "Climate change: a friend or foe to food security in Africa?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 4387-4412, March.
    11. Graham McDowell & Eleanor Stephenson & James Ford, 2014. "Adaptation to climate change in glaciated mountain regions," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 126(1), pages 77-91, September.
    12. Itziar González Tánago & Julia Urquijo & Veit Blauhut & Fermín Villarroya & Lucia De Stefano, 2016. "Learning from experience: a systematic review of assessments of vulnerability to drought," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 80(2), pages 951-973, January.
    13. Progress Choongo & Elco Van Burg & Leo J. Paas & Enno Masurel, 2016. "Factors Influencing the Identification of Sustainable Opportunities by SMEs: Empirical Evidence from Zambia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-24, January.
    14. Koide, Junji & Yokoyama, Shigeki & Hirouchi, Shinji & Hirose, Chikako & Oka, Naoko & Oda, Masato & Yanagihara, Seiji, 2021. "Exploring climate-resilient and risk-efficient cropping strategies using a new pond irrigation system: An experimental study in northern Ghana," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    15. Benjamin Kipkemboi Kogo & Lalit Kumar & Richard Koech, 2021. "Climate change and variability in Kenya: a review of impacts on agriculture and food security," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 23-43, January.
    16. Andrea Galligari & Fabio Giulio Tonolo & Giovanni Massazza, 2020. "Floodplain Settlement Dynamics in the Maouri Dallol at Guéchémé, Niger: A Multidisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-21, July.
    17. Joseph Phiri & Karel Malec & Alpo Kapuka & Mansoor Maitah & Seth Nana Kwame Appiah-Kubi & Zdeňka Gebeltová & Mwila Bowa & Kamil Maitah, 2021. "Impact of Agriculture and Energy on CO 2 Emissions in Zambia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-13, December.
    18. Itziar González Tánago & Julia Urquijo & Veit Blauhut & Fermín Villarroya & Lucia De Stefano, 2016. "Learning from experience: a systematic review of assessments of vulnerability to drought," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 80(2), pages 951-973, January.
    19. Kikyoung Park & Gangseog Ryu, 2018. "The Effect of Regulatory Focus on Individuals’ Donation Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-12, March.
    20. Fanzo, Jessica & McLaren, Rebecca & Davis, Claire & Choufani, Jowel, 2017. "Climate change and variability: What are the risks for nutrition, diets, and food systems?," IFPRI discussion papers 1645, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    21. Muli, Celestine & Gerber, Nicolas & Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu & Mirzabaev, Alisher, 2018. "Ecosystem tipping points due to variable water availability and cascading effects on food security in Sub‐Saharan Africa," Working Papers 278230, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    22. Ognjen Žurovec & Sabrija Čadro & Bishal Kumar Sitaula, 2017. "Quantitative Assessment of Vulnerability to Climate Change in Rural Municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-18, July.
    23. Amolegbe, Khadijat Busola & Fontep, Eugenie Rose & Ahodode, Bernadin Géraud Comlan & Pagal, Emmanuelle Dorcas Mbanga & Ardelkrim, Araar, 2023. "Gendered Effects of Crop Diversification and Climate Shocks on Household Food Security Status in Nigeria," 97th Annual Conference, March 27-29, 2023, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 334551, Agricultural Economics Society - AES.

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