How+does+food+security+relate+to+climate+change

__LESSON SEVEN:[[image:climate-infographic_web_500.jpg width="177" height="660" align="right"]] __
How is climate change affecting food security?

**__DESCRIPTION:__**
Students will learn about the impact of climate change on food security.

__TEACHER BACKGROUND:__
The following introduction comes from the forward WFP publication, “Climate Change and Hunger: Responding to the Challenge” produced in 2009 ([]). This resource has fantastic ideas for solutions as well:

“ Climate change is a defining challenge of our times. Its impact and implications will be global, far-reaching and largely irreversible. Climate change is already increasing the risk of exposure to hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity among the poorest and most vulnerable people. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and intense, land and water are becoming more scarce and difficult to access, and increases in agricultural productivity are becoming more difficult to achieve.

The figures presented in this report reflect recent scientific evidence on the scale of the projected impacts of climate change. By 2050, the number of people at risk of hunger as a result of climate change is expected to increase by 10 to 20 percent more than would be expected without climate change; and the number of malnourished children is expected to increase by 24 million– 21 percent more than without climate change. Sub-Saharan Africa is likely to be the worst affected region.

There is growing consensus amongst the international humanitarian community that adaptation measures are urgently needed to help vulnerable people cope with the changing environments in which they are living. This requires adapting global and local food production methods through investments, technical capacity transfers and technological innovations, while also making existing agricultural production systems more resilient, sustainable and equitable.”

**__PREPARATION__:**
Print and preview materials.

__STEP BY STEP PLAN__:
//Anticipate//: Show students the photos of climate change. For starters printing the photos contained within the WFP mentioned in the teacher background section of this document. Either project, or post around the room and instruct students to engage in a silent gallery walk.

//Anticipate// (alternate activity): Ask students to predict the statistical information provided in by this organization on Climate Change and poverty: [] Then lead a discussion on why climate change might have such a large impact on the poor.

Introduce: Show this video on climate change and food security: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW1Z_FIS9zY

//Introduce the Lesson//: Explain how this lesson will examine the sub-topic of the issue of climate change and the issue of food security. Students should be on the lookout for ideas to discuss during moderated caucuses and possible resolutions on the day of the conference.

//Listen and Summarize//: Ask students to listen to this scholar discuss how climate change is affecting Africa. [] Ask students to summarize what they learned.

//Inform//: Support students in understanding the Climate Change section of the Food Security Topic Guide.

//Synthesize//: Ask students to use the __Draft Resolution Template__ to write a resolution that proposes solutions to the issue of high climate change. Students should reference their __Make It Happen__ Worksheet and their notes from this lesson to get ideas. In addition to giving students an opportunity to synthesize their understanding from this lesson, writing draft resolution will make it easier for students to create position papers during lesson 15.

//Checks for Understanding//: Consider one or more of these culminating activities for exit tickets, homework assignments, or formative assessments.
 * //Cause and Effect//: Ask students to explain how food prices relate to food emergencies and/or climate change. Ask them to examine the info graphic on food prices that that visually represents food prices in relation to world events. Ask students to identify what food emergencies caused by civil unrest and natural disasters led to an increase in food prices:[]
 * //Cause and Effect Alternate activity//: Ask students to analyze a news article about the relationship between a natural disaster and food prices.