Climate change will take away your favourite food too! Hair-raising news

New Delhi: A frightening news has come out for those who take climate change lightly. Your food plate may soon be empty due to climate change. According to our partner organization Times of India, climate change will also affect our food. Along with storms, floods, heat, and cold, climate change will also affect our food items. This means that your favorite food items like kimchi and chocolate available in Korean restaurants, you will not be able to get it soon. TOI has released a list of food items around the world that will be most affected by climate change. This also includes food from India. Climate change will affect every aspect of our life. This also includes our eating habits. Your food plate is under threat of climate change. Things like rice, wheat, corn, coffee, chocolate that we like so much may be available less in the future. According to the Times of India report, rising temperatures, floods and changes in weather are harming these crops.

Climate change has a devastating effect on agriculture

The report quoted the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Government of India as saying that ‘climate change is affecting agriculture and the lives of farmers. If no steps are taken, the production of rain-fed rice may decrease by 20% by 2050 and 47% by 2080. On the other hand, the production of irrigated rice may decrease by 3.5% by 2050 and 5% by 2080.’

How will we get flour without wheat?

After rice comes wheat, which is an important part of our daily life. The rising temperature in North India is becoming a threat to the wheat crop. Wheat needs cool weather during sowing, which is decreasing due to climate change. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, wheat production is expected to decrease by 19.3% by 2050 and by 40% by 2080.

Maize is also in trouble

Maize may not be as popular as rice and wheat, but its production has increased 16-fold since the 1950s to about 28 million tonnes. Maize is grown in India in both monsoon (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons, but 83% of production is in the kharif season. According to the ministry’s report, kharif maize yields could fall by 18% by 2050 and by 23% by 2080. This will also impact livestock and poultry, which are fed maize.

Bad news for wine lovers

Wine grapes, which are loved around the world, are also at risk. Many varieties, such as Malbec, have already reached the brink of extinction. Some varieties have been rediscovered or revived, but that does not mean that such a situation will not arise again. Especially when no part of the world is safe from climate disaster. These grapes are sensitive to even the slightest changes in the weather. In his/her book ‘Wine and Climate Change’ published in 2014, author LJ Johnson-Bell writes that many negative effects of climate change are already visible and winemakers are being forced to find new ways to make wine.

What will coffee drinkers do now?

There is also bad news for coffee drinkers. According to a report published in May this year, global coffee production in 2023 was 3% less than consumption. It is expected to get worse in the coming years. Experts say that by 2030, there is a possibility of a huge reduction in land suitable for coffee cultivation. Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia are the largest coffee producers. Arabica and Robusta are the two major varieties of coffee. Arabica accounts for about 60-70% of the coffee blend used worldwide. But, according to estimates, by 2050, 50% of the current coffee-growing land will become unsuitable (especially for Arabica cultivation). Robusta is also in danger. Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta, but in the 2023-24 crop year, production is estimated to decline by 20% due to drought.

Kids will crave for chocolate

Chocolate lovers will also be disappointed, because the cocoa tree is also under threat of climate change. Cocoa is made from cocoa seeds and chocolate is made from cocoa. Cocoa trees require a specific temperature to grow, which is becoming difficult to meet due to climate change. According to some estimates, cocoa production may decrease by one-third by 2050. Avocado, which is very popular among health conscious people, is itself not in a good position in terms of health. According to researchers, this fruit is being affected by heat stress, floods, water shortage, strong winds and hailstorms.

You won’t even get potatoes!

A common vegetable like potato is also in danger. According to an article published on the ‘Action Against Hunger’ website in January 2022, global potato production could fall by 9% by 2050. Potatoes grow best in temperate climates. This crop is sensitive to both heat and frost. This is why it is under threat. This is a matter of concern because potatoes are the most important non-cereal crop in the world and the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. Overall, the impact of climate change is clearly visible on our food plate. We have to take this threat seriously and take steps that can ensure food security without harming the environment.