Abstract
Vanuatu, a Pacific Small Island Developing State, has high exposure to climate extremes, such as tropical cyclones and interannual rainfall variability, which can have devastating short- and long-term impacts on food and nutrition security (FNS). This paper presents local experiences of the effects of climate extremes on FNS in Vanuatu through a case study of two recent events: Tropical Cyclone Pam (2015) and an El Niño-induced drought (2015–2017). A qualitative research approach, using a range of data collection methods, was used to document people's lived experiences in two villages in Vanuatu. This study found that climate extremes affected the FNS of people in the two study villages directly, with effects on gardens and food production, and indirectly, by exacerbating the nutrition transition, a shift away from traditional diets energy-dense imported food that is already progressing in Vanuatu. These effects undermine long-term FNS and health. Climate extremes also eroded food-related cultural practices and traditions and constrained local agency to make food choices. The magnitude and extent of these impacts, however, are influenced by structural vulnerabilities and local resiliencies. The adaptive capacity and resilience of communities needs to be strengthened in a way that allows people to exercise agency in their responses to climate extremes and to promote FNS, including cultural acceptability and food preferences, and long-term health.
Highlights
Vanuatu, a Pacific Small Island Developing State (SIDS), has high exposure to natural hazards, including extreme weather and climate events (‘climate extremes’1), such as tropical cyclones and drought
Climate extremes affected food and nutrition security (FNS) by constraining agency to make food choices, eroding cultural practices and traditional knowledge, and exacerbating the very structural vulnerabilities that undermine the ability to cope with climate extremes, adapt to climate change, and manage food and nutrition insecurity
Komugabe-Dixson et al (2019) found that natural hazards and climate-related impacts was one of four drivers of environmental change in peri-urban Efate. It found that effects of Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam and the El Nino-induced drought were on crops, but on fisheries, and other resources and livelihoods, such as firewood and basket-making materials, which impact FNS (Komu gabe-Dixson et al, 2019)
Summary
A Pacific Small Island Developing State (SIDS), has high exposure to natural hazards, including extreme weather and climate events (‘climate extremes’1), such as tropical cyclones and drought. Similar to many SIDS, it is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including increased intensity, frequency, and duration of climate ex tremes (Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) et al, 2015). This paper explores the effects of climate change on FNS in Vanuatu through a case study of the lived experiences of two recent climate ex tremes: Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam (2015) and an El Nino-induced drought (2015–2017). Nutrition security is implicitly encompassed in all four dimensions It includes cultural and social acceptability of food, hy giene, food and water safety, sanitation, food and nutrition literacy, and dietary diversity and quality (Hwalla et al, 2016; Noack and Pouw 2015; Slater and Yeudall 2015)
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