Silent Crisis: How Climate Change Undermines Food Security and Drives Malnutrition in Papua's Indigenous Populations

Abstract

This study examines the impact of climate change on malnutrition in the indigenous Asmat communities of As and Atat villages in Papua, Indonesia, employing a descriptive qualitative method with participatory observation and triangulation analysis. Despite their minimal contribution to climate change, these forest-dependent communities face significant challenges as altered weather patterns disrupt traditional food systems. The research reveals a direct correlation between global climate change and local food insecurity, manifested through changes in food-seeking seasons, natural food source scarcity, and disrupted consumption patterns. Key findings include changes in annual food-seeking cycles, increased rainfall (3500-4500 mm/year) causing prolonged flooding, and rising sea levels (peak 5.3 m) submerging cultivated land, collectively contributing to nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition. This study contributes to the growing literature on climate change impacts on indigenous health and food security, offering valuable insights for global policymakers and researchers addressing similar challenges.