The complex interconnections between food systems, climate change, and nutrition have become increasingly apparent. These intertwined challenges pose significant difficulties but also present a unique opportunity for collective action. Despite the obstacles, there remain avenues to explore.
Addressing the escalating impacts of climate change is not solely the responsibility of a specific organization or entity; rather, it is a critical priority on the global agenda. This issue is now capturing the attention of stakeholders in developing nations, who frequently highlight their economic advancements. For many developing countries struggling to achieve food security, climate change has become a matter of survival.
In the direst situations, the prospect of securing not just food security but also access to nutritious meals can seem unattainable. However, while we may possess potential solutions, determining their effectiveness and the best approach to implement them can be daunting. It is essential to recognize the importance of collaboration in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity.
Numerous organizations concerned with these issues have established a network known as the Ethiopian Nutrition Leaders Network (ENLN). During its sixth annual forum held last Saturday, themed “Nutrition Leadership towards Resilience and Climate Change Actions for Nutrition in Ethiopia,” the discussion centered on the significant role of leadership in mitigating climate change impacts on food systems.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking government officials from the health sector, scholars, researchers, nutritionists from various regions, and representatives from international organizations.
Associate Professor of Nutrition at Jimma University, Tefera Belachew, who serves as Training and Capacity Building Section head at ENLN, was one of the participants. According to him, climate change has extremely influenced life on Earth apart from the other challenges it faces. Thus, the sector requires a special type of leadership with a high level of capability in collaborating with the resources at hand and solving the big problems that we are now encountering.
The planet is currently facing a critical crisis; the climate has undergone significant alterations. As the global population continues to rise, the Earth’s ability to support its inhabitants is diminishing. There are seven essential planetary boundaries that must not be compromised by human activity. Out of these, six have already been breached.
The Associate professor pointed out that excessive groundwater extraction, deforestation, carbon emissions, and other detrimental practices have hindered the Earth’s capacity to provide essential resources for humanity.
“When we return to our situation, climate change impacts all aspects of our lives. For example, we rely heavily on rain-fed agricultural systems, although we have initiated irrigated wheat cultivation projects.
Consequently, if we experience drastic climate changes, food scarcity will become a reality. Our reliance on large hydroelectric dams for energy is also at risk; without stable climate conditions, we face threats to both energy and water security.”
He commended the government’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Green Legacy Initiative and the Urban Agriculture program, which serve as vital components in enhancing the food system’s resilience. The Green Legacy initiative in Ethiopia represents a comprehensive strategy. When discussing leadership, it is essential to address the significant challenges at hand.
By tackling these pressing issues, we can facilitate the resolution of other related problems. Thus, climate change holds profound implications for us. Beyond the challenges of food security, the ongoing climate crisis is leading to diminishing productivity, an increasing population, and a reduced carrying capacity of the Earth. For instance, Ethiopia’s population is projected to double by 2046.
In light of the population growth, we must double our efforts in all areas. This necessitates the adoption of technology and the cultivation of climate-smart crops, alongside implementing climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, including the planting of climate-resilient crops and livestock. To ensure food security in Ethiopia, it is imperative to implement effective policies and strategies.
Hiwot Darsene, Lead Executive Officer at the Nutrition Coordination Office at the Ministry of Health through her representative stated that Ethiopia is one of the most vulnerable countries negatively affected by the impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods, which have a direct relationship with the food system.
The need to work together to advance the responsibilities of all stakeholders to accelerate climate action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts to ensure sustainable development, thereby scaling up nutrition.
Ethiopia is actively executing its Food and Nutrition Strategy nationwide. Furthermore, the country is advancing the Seqota Declaration, a 15-year governmental pledge aimed at eradicating stunting in children under the age of two by the year 2030, she said.
This initiative is structured to unfold in three distinct phases: Innovative, Expansion, and Scale-up. He emphasized the necessity for the active involvement of all stakeholders to achieve these objectives. The government is taking the lead in coordinating efforts across various sectors to enhance the health and nutritional well-being of adolescents, women, and children.
She noted that current leadership initiatives encompass efforts to improve the income and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, minimize postharvest food loss, and elevate the health and nutrition status of school-aged children, among other priorities.
Dragana Strinic, the Country Director for Save the Children in Ethiopia and Chair of the Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN), remarked that the coalition comprises over 63 members from national and international civil society organizations dedicated to advancing nutrition and supporting Ethiopia’s efforts to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms.
“Effective leadership at all level is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate-induced food systems and nutrition. Our collaboration presents a valuable opportunity to connect visionary nutrition leadership and exchange knowledge.
The ECSC-SUN is committed to enhancing leadership while ensuring accountability in partnership with government sectors, stakeholders, and donors,” she stated. She further asserted that dedicated leadership plays a vital role in steering the implementation of national initiatives such as the Food and Nutrition Strategy, the Seqota Declaration, and the comprehensive transformation of Ethiopia’s food systems, reiterating ongoing support for these efforts.
Highlighting the impact of climate change on food system challenges, Associate Professor Tefera called for closer cooperation among academia, research institutions, and policymakers to support the government’s ongoing initiatives to improve nutrition nationwide.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2024
