Climate Extremes and Agriculture: Addressing the Impacts of Droughts, Floods, and Storms on Farming Systems and Environmental Sustainability

Agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring food security, supporting livelihoods, and driving economic development. However, it is increasingly threatened by climate change—particularly by extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms. This review explores the complex relationship between agriculture, ecosystems, and the environment, with a specific focus on how these climate extremes impact agricultural productivity, farming sustainability, and the health of natural resources. It examines how agriculture both contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and suffers from its consequences, including soil degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. The review also discusses adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land and water management, technological innovations, and policy interventions. Emphasis is placed on the need for integrated efforts involving science, policy, and local communities to build resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding climate-related shocks. These strategies are essential to protect environmental health and ensure long-term food security in a changing climate.