Report by the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI)
James W. Hansen, Max Dilley, Lisa Goddard, Esther Ebrahimian, Polly Ericksen (IRI)
Climate variability contributes significantly to poverty and food insecurity. Proactive approaches to managing climate variability within vulnerable rural communities and among institutions operating at community, sub-national, and national levels is a crucial step toward achieving the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.
The risk of household food insecurity is determined by the success of livelihood strategies in the face of climate and other shocks. Across the economy, climate variability affects food security through its influence on investment, adoption of agricultural technology, aggregate production, market prices and economic development, and hence the ability of individuals, communities and nations to produce and purchase food.
The report summarizes the scientific basis, current methodology, and prospects for improving climate prediction at a seasonal time scale.
The authors also discuss measures to strengthen institutional capacity and coordination to improve management of climate variability. Improved management of climate variability has appealing synergies with other interventions that target hunger, including soil fertility management, small-scale water management, markets, and extension and communication systems.
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