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UN Report Warns Heatwaves Threaten Global Agriculture and Food Security

UN Report Warns Heatwaves Threaten Global Agriculture and Food Security

A joint report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), titled 'Extreme Heat and Agriculture,' warns that increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves are disrupting global agricultural production and threatening food security. The report highlights that rising temperatures are a critical hazard to food production, impacting billions of livelihoods and causing immediate economic and nutritional damage, particularly in vulnerable farming communities. In Punjab's rain-fed rural areas, fruit productivity has dropped by up to 50%, and livestock operations are severely affected, with reduced milk production and increased disease outbreaks. These agricultural losses lead to reduced household incomes and limit access to healthy diets for rural families, a crisis compounded by accelerated spoilage of perishable goods. Women in these communities bear a disproportionate burden due to their heavy involvement in outdoor agricultural labor, increasing their risk o...

La Niña Weather System Linked to Increased Malaria Cases in Southern African Development Community Countries

La Niña Weather System Linked to Increased Malaria Cases in Southern African Development Community Countries

The La Niña weather system, which typically follows El Niño and strengthens normal weather patterns, has been associated with cooler conditions in the west. In early 2026, this system caused severe flooding across several Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. This widespread flooding damaged critical infrastructure and led to the displacement of local communities. Consequently, there has been a significant increase in malaria cases in affected nations, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. Mozambique experienced a 55% rise in cases during the first six weeks of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, while Zimbabwe reported 65,399 cases in the first quarter of 2026, nearly double the figure from the first quarter of 2025. The displacement of populations, particularly mobile and migrant groups, further strains already overburdened healthcare facilities and increases the risk of drug stockouts.

The polar vortex is causing trouble at the South Pole

The polar vortex is causing trouble at the South Pole

There's a polar vortex over the South Pole too, and this year, it caused the infamous Antarctic ozone hole to grow to an unusually large size.

Almaty Region Experiences Increased Drought Frequency and Intensity, Highlighting Agricultural Vulnerability

Almaty Region Experiences Increased Drought Frequency and Intensity, Highlighting Agricultural Vulnerability

The Almaty region has shown a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts, particularly in its flat areas, according to an integrated assessment of moisture availability and dryness. This study, spanning from 1990 to 2024, utilized various indices including the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI-6) and the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI-6), alongside NDVI-based vegetation response. The research indicates that the region's climate is characterized by high spatial and temporal variability. Average long-term temperature deviations during the growing season reached 1.2 °C, with a maximum of 1.8 °C in Kegen. Precipitation variability was highest in Esik and on the Almaty Kamensky Plateau, and lowest in arid areas like Aul 4 and Bakanas. The humidity coefficient ranged from 0.33 (severe aridity) to 2.0 (excessive humidity), with the Hydrothermal Coefficient (HTC) confirming non-arid conditions in mountainous areas and severe aridity in desert regions. The year 2021 w...

Daryl Ritchison Discusses Climate Monitoring for North Dakota Agriculture

Daryl Ritchison Discusses Climate Monitoring for North Dakota Agriculture

Daryl Ritchison, the director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) and the state climatologist for North Dakota, recently discussed his work on monitoring the region's climate. His responsibilities include tracking crucial data points such as rainfall, soil moisture, and various other environmental factors. This information is vital for the agricultural economy of the region, providing insights that help farmers and agricultural businesses make informed decisions. Ritchison's work also extends to applications relevant for home gardens, demonstrating the broad utility of climate monitoring data.

NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern and Eastern U.S. Due to Strengthening El Niño

NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern and Eastern U.S. Due to Strengthening El Niño

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a shift in the jet stream southward and eastward across the United States during the winter of 2026-2027. This atmospheric change is a direct consequence of the strengthening El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to reach very strong intensity by the end of 2026. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at Columbia University corroborate this, with models projecting sea surface temperature anomalies significantly above normal in the tropical Pacific. NOAA's prediction indicates an increased likelihood of wetter weather and storms for the southern region, extending from California to Florida, as well as along the East Coast. Furthermore, NOAA warns that heavy rainfall in areas previously affected by drought could elevate the risk of flash floods and landslides, as dry soil may struggle to absorb large volumes of water quickly. The El Niño event is anticipated to pers...

Super El Niño Threatens Southern Africa's Bean Harvests, Raising Food Security Concerns

Super El Niño Threatens Southern Africa's Bean Harvests, Raising Food Security Concerns

A 'super' El Niño event, expected to persist from September 2026 into early 2027, poses a significant threat to bean harvests in southern Africa. Legumes, particularly dry beans, are a primary staple and a crucial protein source in the region, but they are highly sensitive to water stress and high temperatures. Research indicates that extreme climate shocks, such as droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall, can reduce legume harvests by up to 78%. This potential reduction in yield directly threatens the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and could lead to increased food prices and reduced availability of affordable protein sources across southern Africa. The World Meteorological Organization has described this year's El Niño as exceptionally strong, intensifying concerns for agricultural output.

Research Highlights Systemic Strategies for Building Resilience in Agri-Food Systems Against Global Shocks

Research Highlights Systemic Strategies for Building Resilience in Agri-Food Systems Against Global Shocks

An editorial analysis in 'Agriculture and Food Security' synthesizes research across agricultural systems, emphasizing how climate-resilient farming, structural policies, and targeted dietary interventions are crucial for building resilience against environmental and economic crises. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture faces persistent vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change, economic volatility, and geopolitical instability. The analysis, drawing on definitions from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, defines sustainable healthy diets as those providing sufficient safe, nutritious food while minimizing environmental footprints and protecting against malnutrition. The research organizes contemporary scientific insights into five thematic pillars: climate-resilient farming, sustainable production technologies, food environments shaping diets, governance policies, and supply chain waste reduction. It conc...

Nigerian Minister Warns of Severe Food Insecurity for 33.5 Million by Mid-2027 Amidst El Niño Strengthening

Nigerian Minister Warns of Severe Food Insecurity for 33.5 Million by Mid-2027 Amidst El Niño Strengthening

Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has issued a stark warning regarding projected food insecurity in the nation. According to an October Cadre Harmonisé assessment, approximately 33.5 million people in Nigeria could face severe food and nutrition insecurity between June and August 2027. This projection covers 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The minister cited inconsistent rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and the El Niño phenomenon as contributing factors to the agricultural pressures. Concurrently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported in its October seasonal outlook that El Niño is expected to strengthen further from November 2026 to January 2027, likely peaking around December. While both warnings are significant, the source emphasizes that the food insecurity projection is not solely attributable to El Niño, and specific localized impacts of El Niño on Nigeria's 2027 rainfall patterns are yet to be definitively forecast by the Nigerian Meteoro...

Climate Vulnerability Assessment Training Addresses Drought Impact in Somalia

Climate Vulnerability Assessment Training Addresses Drought Impact in Somalia

A Climate Vulnerability Assessment Training course in Somalia is equipping organizations to address the impacts of drought, flooding, and water shortages. The training focuses on methods suitable for organizations working with drought-prone livelihoods, water access, displacement, infrastructure, food systems, and fragile supply chains. Participants learn to adapt stakeholder analysis, exposure mapping, and vulnerability scoring to local evidence, including community knowledge and program records. This initiative helps NGOs, government-linked programs, development contractors, agribusinesses, and private organizations convert disparate evidence into actionable decisions regarding resilience, continuity, and investment. The course covers defining assessments, consulting stakeholders, screening hazards, profiling exposed assets, and analyzing sensitivity and adaptive capacity. It also includes climate data interpretation, scenario testing, vulnerability scoring, and adaptation appraisal, enabling participant...

COP31 Panel to Address Methane Emission Reduction in Agriculture for Food Security

COP31 Panel to Address Methane Emission Reduction in Agriculture for Food Security

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) will feature a panel discussion focused on reducing methane emissions from beef cattle while simultaneously advancing food security and supporting rural livelihoods. Co-hosted by the Clean Air Task Force, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Environmental Defense Fund, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and Food and Land Use Coalition, the event will bring together government, research, industry, and civil society perspectives. The discussion will explore how science, supportive policies, collaboration, and corporate action can achieve these goals. The panel will draw on two global initiatives: the Resilient Agriculture Investment for Net Zero Land Degradation (RAIZ) and Integrating Agricultural Development and Methane Mitigation, both aimed at advancing agricultural productivity, climate mitigation, and sustainable land management.

UN Ocean Conference Launches '10,000 Ships for the Ocean' Initiative to Expand Global Ocean Observations

UN Ocean Conference Launches '10,000 Ships for the Ocean' Initiative to Expand Global Ocean Observations

The '10,000 Ships for the Ocean' initiative was launched at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference with the goal of establishing a coordinated fleet of 10,000 commercial vessels to provide real-time meteorological and, progressively, ocean observations by 2035. This initiative is led by OceanOPS, a joint center of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO), in collaboration with other international scientific institutions and partners. The project aims to leverage the thousands of commercial ships already traversing the world's oceans to significantly expand global weather and ocean observation capabilities, particularly in poorly monitored regions. Advances in technology, such as compact autonomous sensors and improved satellite communications, are making it easier for ships to collect and transmit data with minimal crew involvement, transforming commercial vessels int...