By Trish Svoboda

According to a recent report by the Farm Journal Foundation, climate change significantly and adversely affects nutrition worldwide. The report highlights that these impacts are particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries, where a substantial portion of the population depends on agriculture.

The report by Dr. Ramya Ambikapathi and Daniel Mason-D’Croz from Cornell University indicates that extreme weather events in recent years have resulted in reduced harvests, lost agricultural income, and increased food prices, leading to higher malnutrition rates. Currently, about 3 billion people globally cannot afford a balanced diet, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and animal-sourced foods. The situation is particularly dire in low- and middle-income countries, where agriculture is a primary income source and families find it challenging to buy enough nutritious food.

The report also highlights that women are especially susceptible to the risks of food and nutritional insecurity. This susceptibility stems from the fact that women typically earn less than men. Research indicates that in periods of economic strain, women frequently decrease their food consumption or forgo meals entirely to ensure other household members have enough to eat.

The report is set to be unveiled today, May 8, at a gathering in Washington, D.C. The event will include speeches from the authors of the report, U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro, Patrick Webb, the Chief Nutritionist at the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Tricia Beal, the CEO of the Farm Journal Foundation.

To attend the event and find out more information, register at this link. You can also watch the event at 4 p.m. EST via Facebook Live.