.png)
Droughts are one of the worst famines to exist. It is a period where the conditions of a region are drier than usual and usually occurs due to lack of precipitation. Droughts can strongly impact the environment, health, agriculture and economy. The quality and quantity of water diminishes during this period of time. This can increase the spread of sickness and diseases.
As the quality and quantity of water reduces during droughts, it results in agricultural losses and thus leads to global food insecurity. Droughts especially impact arid and semi arid regions as it reduces the quality and productivity of the crop yields and livestock.
Water is essential for agriculture. Agriculture is the industry that consumes the most water. As the population continues to grow, the more water is required in this industry. As the amount of water available reduces, it puts millions of people at the risk of food shortage. People struggle to feed themselves.
Due to shortage of food, the prices of food increases. Not everybody can afford to buy food. This can contribute to severe malnourishment in the region. This causes conflict which gradually leads to hunger. People begin to fight for water and food resources. Not only that, disasters like droughts can lead to contamination of water supplies.
How can we prevent this?
- Use of improved irrigation and storage technologies
- A plan for equal access to food and water for all
- Reducing the wastage of food
- Addressing climate change
Works Cited
Husbands, S. (2023). How Water Shortages Impact Food Security. [online] Earth.org. Available at: https://earth.org/how-water-shortage-impact-food-security/.
Met office (2022). Impacts on food security. [online] Met Office. Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/climate-impacts/food-security/impacts-on-food-security.
World Health Organization (2022). Drought. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/drought#tab=tab_1.
Comments