In West Africa, where we live, the impacts of the climate crisis are not abstract theories, but daily realities recounted by those who live them. In the Adamawa State of Nigeria, Farida Shagari, a 25-year-old mother of five, confronts the most relentless consequence of climate change — malnutrition.
As her community contends with dwindling resources and escalating conflicts between nomadic herders and farmers over decreasing arable land, Shagari faces the monumental challenge of nourishing her children in an environment where access to food has become increasingly compromised. For Shagari and families like hers, the climate crisis is a nutrition crisis.
Globally, there have been significant advances in reducing child malnutrition. Although these improvements are insufficient for the scale of the current crisis, it shows progress is possible. Now, the climate crisis threatens to undo hard-earned nutrition gains.
About the authors
Shawn Baker
Shawn Baker is chief program officer at Helen Keller Intl, a global organization that partners with communities to protect vision, improve nutrition, and eliminate disease, helping millions of children and families live healthier. Shawn serves as chair of the board of The Micronutrient Forum and on the international advisory group for the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit. He lives in Dakar, Senegal.
Philomena Orji
Philomena Orji is program director for Transforming Lives through Nutrition at Helen Keller Intl, a global organization that partners with communities to protect vision, improve nutrition, and eliminate disease, helping millions of children and families live healthier. Philomena previously served as Helen Keller’s country director in Nigeria, supporting 14 million children and family members annually. She lives in Abuja, Nigeria.
