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University of Leeds

Climate Change and Resilience in Food Systems

University of Leeds via FutureLearn

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Overview

Learn about the effects of climate change and how to build resilience in agriculture and food systems.

Even small climate changes can have large-scale consequences in agriculture and food systems with devastating effects for the people and their economies. On this course, you will learn strategies designed to mitigate the impact of climate change, develop resilient food systems and create sustainable development in local communities.

Explore new research methods that help us predict the impact of climate change on agriculture and food systems.

After understanding the concept of a food system, you’ll be introduced to the GCRF-AFRICAP programme and learn new methods that are being developed and used to analyse future direct and indirect climate impacts on African food systems. You’ll then investigate how scenario approaches and modelling tools are being used to inform policy responses.

Learn how to build resilience in agricultural and food systems in your own country.

Through case studies exploring diversifying food production and conservation agriculture in sub-Saharan countries, you will understand some of the strategies that are being implemented to build food system resilience. You will evaluate these strategies’ benefits and costs to communities, policymakers, and donors. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to apply ideas and concepts for building climate resilience in agriculture and food systems in your own country.

This course was funded by UK Research and Innovation as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund, grant numbers BB/P027784/1 and EP/T02397X/1. The development of this course has been supported by the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network, Chatham House, and the UK Met Office.

This course is designed for anyone interested in the effects of climate change and creating resilience and sustainability in food production and food systems.

The strategies and techniques presented in the course are based on research that has taken place in various sub-Saharan African countries but they can be used in other parts of Africa and across the world.

The course will be particularly useful if you have an interest or a background in agriculture, environment or food science and you want to learn how current research can have a positive effect on communities.

Since the course examines the implementation of these strategies across a food system where different parties other than farmers are involved, it can provide inspiration to policymakers, charities and other non-governmental organisations

Syllabus

  • How do we project the impacts of climate change?
    • Welcome
    • The effects of climate change on agriculture and food systems
    • Using modelling to project future effects of climate change
    • Using scenario building to project future effects of climate change
    • Summary
  • Increasing resilience to climate change in agricultural production and food consumption
    • About Week 2
    • Diversifying food production and consumption in Zambia
    • Using conservation agriculture techniques in Malawi
    • Driving transformation in agriculture and food systems
    • Summary

Taught by

Stephen Whitfield

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Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 14 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at FutureLearn based on 48 ratings

Start your review of Climate Change and Resilience in Food Systems

  • Anonymous
    Firstly, thanks to all who developed this course. It is great to find a course that is so focused on African conditions. I have made two comments within the course (ADDRESSED TO DR WHITFIELD), which I believe could be used to make slight improvements to the material presented.

    The exercises and resources provided allowed learners to readily achieve the learning outcomes. It is a very good course, which will be useful for those outside of Africa but particularly relevant to Africans, especially the youth.
  • Anonymous
    Yes I think the course is designed well and all information provided during the days of the course are important and valuable for any person who wants to learn . very nice and fruitful cession s hope that to give me apportunities for further studies in this deciplin and hope to provide me free certificate for this training course if you seems that am performing well . And am appreciated the University of Leed for this chance and willing to gain more apportunities and consideration. Thanks very much for your time specified for as African candidates willing for more support from Leed University.
  • Anonymous
    This course is practical-oriented, everything about the course is based on real evidence. The other good part that i liked is that the course touches on a number of food systems and resilience strategies from a number of African countries.
  • Marios Vakanas
    Very interesting course with download material, test to show what you've learned and great speakers and forums
  • Anonymous
    The course is 100% beneficial to everyone given that food security affects everyone on the planet. Therefore it's important to learn how climate change among other factors will affect the availability of food and hence make a decision on sustainability production and consumption. Moreover the educators have shared relevant information, videos and external links to certified, relevant sources of information,, hence the course is up to standards. And I enjoyed every bit of it...
  • Anonymous
    This course has been very helpful. Its based on practical scenarios in food systems and as development worker, we face challenges implementing programs that are designed to address food and income insecurity. By understanding the interconnectedness among the various actors along the food value chain, the course has enabled me to further appreciate the contributions of the different actors for a sustainable agricultural system.
  • Anonymous
    This course has been very helpful. Its based on practical scenarios in food systems and as development worker, we face challenges implementing programs that are designed to address food and income insecurity. By understanding the interconnectedness among the various actors along the food value chain, the course has enabled me to further appreciate the contributions of the different actors for a sustainable agricultural system.
  • Banyeluki Gakelebotse
    Very important course, it teaches more than you would expect, highly recommend for everyone, I had some doubts from the beginning but after going through thoroughly now I understand the importance of this course, I wish I knew about it earlier, but still, it does wonders, it is very important, our government and schools should adopt it into the school cylabus.
  • Anonymous
    Great!!! in fashion approach and on time !!! Conservation agriculture and Crop Diversification are really important in the transformation of food and Agriculture in Africa, with critical consideration of participatory approach and Multi-stakeholders knowledge, practice, priority and perspectives.
  • Anonymous
    The course was so nice I have been seen the different perspective in the Africa on the food system also through this course I can manage to help small holders farmers on conservation agriculture and other activities in my field work.
  • Anonymous
    This course is very insightful, I would recommend it for anybody willing to have a practical understanding of climate change and resilience in food systems especially from the African Perspective.
  • Anonymous
    This course is well detailed and structured. The method is teaching and learning was really participatory. I learnt more than I anticipated. Kudos to the organizers of this course.
  • Anonymous
    It is a well designed course to fit the time period and its rich in information for climate resilient food system.
  • Anonymous
    Really interesting and well structured online short course. There is a good mix of learning and application through exercises, and it provides a holistic overview of the opportunities and risks associated with the policies for improving food system resilience to climate change.
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