Food security under a changing climate: Frontiers of science or adaptation frontiers?

Effective adaptation of food systems to climate change is likely to become more important over time, requiring progress in both science and in adaptation (actual implementation) by decision-makers along the value chain. This chapter presents an exploratory analysis of the frontiers of science and of adaptation and by so doing it describes how science goals and methods can be altered to better achieve societal outcomes. The analysis suggests that for most of the issues addressed here, there is a mismatch between the science and adaptation frontiers with the science frontier often lagging. The chapter briefly addresses six broadly recognised or emerging challenges in climate change adaptation relating to food security in a preliminary exploration of the difference between what could be termed science frontiers and adaptation frontiers. The preliminary exploration of the science and adaptation frontiers in the chapter paper suggest a range of areas that need attention.