Study Highlights the Risks of Climate Change to Global Food Production

A new study indicates that climate change could threaten up to one-third of global food production, particularly in low-latitude regions where up to half of crop yields may be at risk. The loss of crop diversity could critically impact food security, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The study calls for collective actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change effects on agriculture.

A recent study published in “Nature Food” reveals that climate change could jeopardize up to one-third of global food production. Conducted by researchers at Aalto University, the analysis examines how future alterations in temperature, precipitation, and aridity will affect the cultivation of 30 significant food crops globally. Crucially, rising temperatures are expected to decrease land availability for essential crops such as rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans, which together provide over two-thirds of the world’s food energy.

The study indicates that low-latitude regions will face far greater challenges compared to mid- or high-latitude areas. With various degrees of warming, crop production in these regions may be severely impacted, risking up to half of their crop yields and leading to a decline in crop diversity. Doctoral researcher Sara Heikonen, who led the study, emphasized that the consequent loss in crop diversity would severely diminish the variety of food available for cultivation, thereby threatening food security and the adequacy of essential calorie and protein intake.

Particularly vulnerable crops include tropical root crops such as yam, crucial for food security in low-income regions, alongside cereals and pulses. In sub-Saharan Africa, the most affected area by climate change, nearly 75% of current crop production could be at risk if global temperatures rise by more than 3°C. Conversely, mid- and high-latitude areas may continue to experience productive land and even witness an increase in crop diversity, with new crops possibly flourishing in northern climates.

Matti Kummu, the study’s senior author, cautioned that even favorable climate conditions may bring about new pests and extreme weather phenomena that could disrupt agricultural productivity, complicating the overall situation. To protect the future of food systems, Heikonen asserted that it is essential to take actions both to mitigate climate change and to adapt to its ongoing effects. She concluded by stating that the impacts of climate change in equatorial regions will resonate globally, highlighting the need for collective action to address these challenges.

In summary, the research underscores the significant threat that climate change poses to global food production, particularly in low-latitude regions. With substantial risks to key staple crops, the potential for diminished crop diversity could critically affect food security. Addressing these challenges will necessitate both mitigation efforts and adaptive strategies to safeguard future food systems against climate-related disruptions.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr