Food security

Increased vulnerability of food production is one of the major consequences of climate change on human societies and activities. Changing weather conditions, including less reliable seasons, increasing droughts and heavy rainfall, are some of the threats to stable and secure food production. These conditions may cause issues such as the spread of pests and soil erosion. Food production also relies on healthy ecosystems that provide habitats for pollinating insects and resources that can be harvested such as fish and plants. At the same time, food production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient pollution of water bodies, and the use of pest control and monocultures can threaten local biodiversity.

To ensure the sustainable provision of food, a holistic approach is needed. This is also highlighted in the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero hunger. Nature-based solutions for food security can for example be to protect wild relatives to plants and animals for genetic diversity, sustainably manage fish stocks and practice restorative aquaculture. Other initiatives such as in community gardening can also contribute to biodiversity and food provisioning as well as educating people. Many NBS are also related to agricultural practices, such as using cover crops and vegetation zones that keep more nutrients in the ground, reduce erosion and increase biodiversity. Other measures can ensure better access to water for irrigation or are related to land-use changes.

In the Nordic countries, the policies on agriculture and food production can vary quite much, as some are members of the EU and part of its common agricultural policy (CAP) while others are not. However, all the countries are applying NBS related to food security, and there are many good examples where we can learn from each other.