A new report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says some of the causes of climate change may also be altering the nutritional composition of food.
“Climate affects a range of biological processes, including the metabolic rate in plants and ectothermic animals,” the IPCC report said.
“Changing these processes can change growth rates, and therefore yields, but can also cause organisms to change relative investments in growth versus reproduction, and therefore change the nutrients assimilated,” the report added. “This may decrease protein and mineral nutrient concentrations, as well as alter lipid composition.”
See Also:Applying Crushed Rock to Croplands Reduces Atmospheric CO2, Study FindsThe gradually increasing annual average temperatures is one of the ways in which Earth’s climate is changing that has scientists the most worried.
While the warming of the Earth’s ambient temperature may benefit some agricultural sectors and enable farmers to grow new crops that only do well in warm regions, it also carries the potential of interfering with the growth and development of other crops.
When temperatures rise above specific ranges optimal for growth and reproduction, heat stress is likely to disrupt a plant’s flowering, pollination and development process. This not only negatively affects crop production but also its nutritional value.
Drastic temperature changes make livestock vulnerable to diseases and parasites too. This is because parasites and diseases that usually target livestock prefer warm and moist conditions, which enable them to multiply.
As a result, farmers are increasingly likely to spend more time and money treating their animals using veterinary drugs and remedies to ward off these threats. Some of these chemicals are likely to enter the food chain affecting the nutritional value of animal products.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, increase the level of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
See Also:Climate Change NewsStudies show that since the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of CO2 has increased by 40 percent globally.
CO2 regulates humidity, which determines the size of the greenhouse effect. High concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere results in high temperatures around the world.
While high concentrations of CO2 usually stimulate plant growth and enhance the level of carbohydrates in the plant, all these come at a cost as the plant produces fewer vitamins, proteins and minerals.
Studies have found that plant proteins decrease significantly when CO2 levels surpass 540 to 960 parts per million.
At the moment, CO2 levels are at 409 parts per million and are projected to hit the danger zone by 2100.
When foods such as wheat, soybean, rice or potatoes are grown in such conditions, they tend to have a six to 15-percent lower concentration of protein than the same plants grown under lower concentrations of CO2.
Additionally, the levels of critical elements such as zinc, copper, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, and magnesium are expected to decrease as CO2 levels rise.
According to a study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal in 2017, if CO2 concentration reaches 500 parts per million, more than 18 countries will lose six to 14-percent of their dietary protein by 2050.
This happens when crops such as wheat, rice, potatoes, and barley cannot absorb nitrate and change it into organic compounds, including protein.
Currently, 76 percent of the world’s population relies on plant-based protein. Top of the list is significant food crops such as soya beans, rice, maize, wheat, millet and potatoes.
This means that if their source of protein and critical nutrients are affected, billions of people will, in turn, be affected and millions of women and children will likely face malnourishment.
Related Articles
Sep. 18, 2024
Project Turns Olive Waste Into Supercapacitors
A research project in Spain has concluded after developing an effective process to repurpose olive waste for several industrial applications.
May. 28, 2024
Researchers Transform Olive Grove Waste Into Bioplastic
Turning olive tree leaves and branches into biopolymers would provide environmental, economic and social benefits to olive farmers.
Dec. 10, 2024
Regenerating Soil Helps Tackle Water Crisis, Experts Say
Specialists suggest agronomic plans to improve organic fertility, limit erosion and save water.
Jan. 29, 2024
Experts Predict Bigger Swings Between Wet and Dry Years in California
Investing in infrastructure and management techniques can help olive growers protect crops from flooding and save water for droughts.
Mar. 27, 2024
Technology Drives the Ambitions of Tunisia’s Largest Olive Oil Producer
The CHO Group was an early adopter of blockchain technology for traceability. Now, they are turning to AI to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Jul. 8, 2024
Bricks Made with Olive Pits Reduce Carbon Footprint of Buildings, Study Finds
A new study has shown that olive pit waste can effectively reduce energy usage in buildings, demonstrating how the circular economy can be applied to the construction sector.
Feb. 7, 2024
Acesur CEO Highlights Andalusia's Key Role in Sector's Future
Gonzalo Guillén believes production capacity is the limiting factor to increase olive oil consumption and Andalusia remains best positioned to expand the market.
Apr. 16, 2024
Trees Less Effective at Sequestering Carbon in a Hotter, Drier World, Study Finds
High temperatures and a lack of water can stress the world's trees, causing them to emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere instead of absorbing it.