Rapid Fire
Impact of Climate Change on Global Food Production
- 28 Jun 2025
- 1 min read
A study warns that every 1°C rise in global temperatures will lead to a 4% reduction in per capita calorie availability by 2100, severely impacting staple crops like wheat, rice, maize, and soybean.
- The study differs from previous research by factoring in farmer adaptation, including the use of heat-resistant crop varieties and adjustments to sowing and watering schedules.
Key Findings
- Farmer adaptation through measures like heat-resistant crops and adjusted sowing/irrigation could reduce losses by 23% (2050) and 34% (2100), but losses remain severe, except for rice.
- Between 2050–2100, wheat yields may drop by 30–40% in China, Russia, the US, and Canada, with northern India worst affected.
- Rice may see mixed effects in India and Southeast Asia, but over 50% losses in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, while maize and soybean face significant global declines.
- Losses affect not only poor countries but also modern breadbaskets like the US, Europe, and China, highlighting the urgent need for innovation, cropland expansion, and climate-resilient practices.
| Read More: Climate Resilient Agriculture |
