How does climate change affect global food security?

• A. Only affects crop yields but not water.
• B. Impacts on crop yields, water availability, and pests affect production, prices, and access to nutritious food.
• C. No effect on prices.
• D. Improves yields universally.

Answer: (B)

Climate change affects global food security through several interconnected pathways, not just one. Warmer temperatures, more extreme weather, and shifting rainfall disrupt crop growth and yields in many regions. Some areas might see changes that seem beneficial for certain crops, but overall the pattern is increased risk and variability across the world.

Water resources are also influenced. Rainfall becomes more erratic, droughts become more frequent, and melting glaciers alter freshwater supplies. This puts irrigation and drinking water under stress, which in turn affects the amount and quality of food that can be produced and available.

Pests and diseases respond to warmer conditions and longer growing seasons, often expanding into new areas and causing greater losses or higher costs for control. All of these factors feed into production levels, which influence food prices. When yields falter or become uncertain, prices rise and fluctuate, making nutritious foods less affordable for many people, especially the poor and vulnerable.

So the best choice recognizes that climate change shapes food security through yields, water availability, and pest pressures, and that these in turn affect production, prices, and access to nutritious food.