The topic of climate change has been looming for more than a decade. Many Americans are aware of the impact of climate change on rising sea levels and more dangerous and frequent natural disasters. Unfortunately, we may have more to worry about. Global warming has already begun to change the food production industry, and these changes could be detrimental if they are not corrected within the next couple of decades.
The rising sea levels and sea temperatures are just one example of how climate change is affecting our food. Fish and other sea life have changed migration patterns, which has impacted the capabilities of the fisheries to maintain their usual production. Increased overall temperatures have decreased crop yield worldwide. Soils have decreased nutrient content and created drier conditions, making it more difficult for crops to grow. Additionally, natural disasters are a major threat to crops. For example, recent wildfires in California damaged many avocado farms.
Global warming could create a vicious cycle in the food production industry. Not only will less fresh food be available, but products will increase in price. The nutrition of low-income families will be threatened, and farmers will be in danger of losing money. To brighten the future of the food industry, we need to make individual and national policy changes to protect our climate.
Written by: Leslie Lewis, Wellness Workdays Dietetic Intern. Learn more about the Wellness Workdays Dietetic Internship.
Sources: 1. World Food Programme 2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3. Vox Media