Ewing, J. Jackson --- "Environmental change, food security and trade in Southeast Asia" [2016] ELECD 286; in Ewing-Chow, Michael; Vilarasau Slade, Melanie (eds), "International Trade and Food Security" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) 154

Book Title: International Trade and Food Security

Editor(s): Ewing-Chow, Michael; Vilarasau Slade, Melanie

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785361883

Section: Chapter 9

Section Title: Environmental change, food security and trade in Southeast Asia

Author(s): Ewing, J. Jackson

Number of pages: 14

Abstract/Description:

Environmental changes in Southeast Asia are creating pronounced food security challenges. The region is deeply endowed with natural resources valuable for agriculture, yet environmental stresses continue to threaten the region’s future food production potential. These challenges are accelerating during a period of transformative change in regional food systems and impacting livelihoods, nutritional profiles and – in some cases – regional food trade dynamics. This chapter reviews the intersection of environmental change, food security and trade challenges in Southeast Asia through three primary sections. First, the chapter explores the relationship between urbanisation, environmental change and shifting food systems, and introduces a related debate over what food production strategies are most apt for the region. Second, the chapter reviews the causes and implications of environmental stresses in ecosystems essential for agriculture – namely forests, freshwater sources and coastal/marine zones – and examines the ways that climate change is amplifying these challenges.