Climate change intensifies food crisis in Island States as rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather continue to threaten the health and livelihoods of some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable communities. According to the 2025 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) report, an estimated 2.7 million additional people across 26 island nations were pushed into moderate to severe food insecurity in 2023 due to more frequent droughts and heatwaves.

The report also found that 4.4 billion potential work hours were lost in 2024 because of extreme heat-the highest annual loss since records began in 1990. Although Small Island Developing States contribute less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they continue to face some of the most severe consequences of climate change.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-87319 size-full" src="https://sigmaearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Indias-Climate-Progress-720-x-480-px-1200-x-628-px-1080-x-1080-px-Website-72.png" alt="Climate change intensifies food crisis in Island States” width=”1366″ height=”768″ />

Heatwaves and Droughts Worsen Food Security

The report highlights that heatwaves increased food insecurity by 5.74 percentage points, while droughts contributed an additional 3.53 percentage points. Lower-income households and island nations heavily dependent on imported food have been hit the hardest as climate extremes reduce agricultural productivity and disrupt food supply chains.

Researchers warn that worsening climate conditions are making access to affordable and nutritious food increasingly difficult, leaving millions vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.

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Extreme Heat Is Becoming a Public Health Emergency

Climate change is not only affecting food systems but also creating serious health risks.

• Between 2015 and 2024, infants experienced seven times more heatwave days, while adults aged 65 years and older faced five times more heatwave exposure compared to the period between 2000 and 2009.
• In 2024, people across SIDS experienced an average of 3,000 hours of moderate heat stress risk during light outdoor activity, 41% higher than the average recorded during the 1990s.
• Agriculture alone accounted for more than 1.3 billion lost work hours, significantly affecting rural incomes and food production.

Climate Change Intensifies Food Crisis in Island States Beyond Agriculture

The report warns that climate change intensifies the food crisis in Island States through multiple interconnected impacts. Rising temperatures are increasing the transmission potential of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, as warmer conditions favour the spread of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

At the same time, ocean warming is threatening fisheries that millions rely on for food and income. Between 2022 and 2024, sea surface temperatures around SIDS were 0.61°C higher than the 1981-2010 average, placing additional pressure on marine ecosystems and fish stocks.

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Adaptation Efforts Still Fall Short

Despite growing climate risks, adaptation remains inadequate.

• Only 10 of the 58 Small Island Developing States have dedicated national health and climate adaptation plans, while only 25 countries have health systems actively engaged in climate monitoring.
• Limited institutional capacity, fragmented climate finance, and heavy reliance on loans continue to slow resilience-building efforts.

However, the report also highlights encouraging progress.

• Since 2020, solar photovoltaic capacity across SIDS has increased 2.3-fold, early warning systems have become more effective, and deaths from extreme weather events have declined.

Experts say these achievements demonstrate that targeted investments can strengthen resilience, but greater international financial support is urgently needed to protect vulnerable island nations from escalating climate impacts.

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