How to Prevent and Cope with Coincidence of Risks to the Global Food System

Posted: 3 Nov 2021

See all articles by Shenggen Fan

Shenggen Fan

China Agricultural University

Ting Meng

China Agricultural University

Chris Rue

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Emily EunYoung Cho

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Date Written: October 1, 2021

Abstract

The global food system faces major risks and threats that can cause massive economic loss; dislocation of food supply chains; and welfare loss of producers, consumers, and other food system actors. The interrelated nature of the system has highlighted the complexity of risks. Climate change, extreme weather events, and degradation and depletion of natural resources, including water, arable, forestry, and pastural lands, loss of biodiversity, emerging diseases, trade chokepoints and disruptions, macroeconomic shocks, and conflicts, can each seriously disrupt the system. Coincidence of these risks can compound the effects on global food security and nutrition. Smallholder farmers, rural migrants, women, youth, children, low-income populations, and other disadvantaged groups are particularly vulnerable. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exemplifies a perfect storm of coincidental risks. This article reviews major risks that most significantly impact food systems and highlights the importance of prospects for coincidence of risks. We present pathways to de-risk food systems and a way forward to ensure healthy, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.

Suggested Citation

Fan, Shenggen and Meng, Ting and Rue, Chris and Cho, Emily EunYoung, How to Prevent and Cope with Coincidence of Risks to the Global Food System (October 1, 2021). Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 46, pp. 601-623, 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3953085 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-020844

Shenggen Fan (Contact Author)

China Agricultural University ( email )

Beijing
China

Ting Meng

China Agricultural University ( email )

Beijing
China

Chris Rue

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Emily EunYoung Cho

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

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