Climate change, agriculture and poverty

This paper analyses the potential consequences of climate change for the poor. It focuses on agriculture as a primary means by which the impacts of climate change are transmitted to the poor, and considers climate change adaptation strategies which bear on agriculture and natural resources, examining their potential impacts on rural household wealth and economic growth. Drawing on prior research examining the impacts of historical climate events – including droughts, floods, etc. – on poverty, it offers some important insights into the kinds of policies which might limit the adverse impacts of climate change and climate shocks on the poor, such as risk coping mechanisms, acquisition of accurate weather prediction information, improvement of insurance against climate risks, as well as traditional methods of risk sharing mechanisms like local credit, asset markets, transfers from local households and networks. Full report available: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2010/11/02/000158349_20101102135244/Rendered/PDF/WPS5468.pdf