There is little disagreement now that the climate is changing, and that such changes could fundamentally affect humanity's collective ability to feed itself. However, there is little systematic knowledge of where climate effects will hit hardest and how agriculture might adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

This research area examines the potential effects of climate change on regional and global food security, and how to adapt agriculture to a warmer world. Research topics include: past and future effects of climate variability and climate change on agricultural productivity, including projects in Indonesia, China, and the Phillipines; assessment of gains from different possible adaptation strategies, with the goal of prioritizing agricultural adaptation options in Africa; and the conservation of plant genetic resources in the face of climate change.  Among other things, this research area is helping inform investment decisions being made by the Global Crop Diversity Trust.