[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/EW-01-13-14-Food-and-Climate-Change.mp3|titles=EW 01-13-14 Food and Climate Change]
A leaked draft of a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that global warming may cause a world food shortage in coming years.
The report notes that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may actually benefit crops in certain northern climates. But while it was once thought that those gains could effectively compensate for crop loss in other regions, the overall impact is now expected to be highly destructive.
According to the report, agricultural production could decrease by up to two percent per decade for the rest of this century, primarily due to heat waves. At the same time, demand for food will rise – possibly by as much as 14 percent per decade.
A shortage would mean higher food prices, a consequence that will disproportionately impact the world’s poor. This has already been seen in recent years when prices have risen after severe heat waves. The report predicts that tropical countries will be most affected.
Another issue is that food shortages may lead forest clearing to make way for more farmland. Of course, this would only exacerbate – and accelerate – global warming.
While the report acknowledges climate change efforts are underway in many countries, they are currently far from adequate.
The good news is that reducing greenhouse gas emissions now could still significantly mitigate future effects of climate change. While those benefits would likely not be seen for many decades, it is reason to be cautiously hopeful as we fight for stronger action on global warming.
The official report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will be released in March.
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Climate Change Seen Posing Risk to Food Supplies
Photo, taken on June 5, 2012, courtesy of Artur Staszewski via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.