Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Nutrition

Produce, food in general, and anything else that can be purchased have increased in price. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great deal of harm to the economy and globetrotting. We live in a time where inflation is dancing around us, pumping up prices and forcing people to stretch their dollars even harder. Globally, people are scratching their heads wondering what to do next to resolve their financial problems. It is no secret that the food industry has taken a beating, regardless of its business type, whether it be agriculture, supplements, or food manufacturing . One factor contributing to this defect is climate change. The troubling part is many folks do not want to hear it or they are just naïve. Perhaps you are wondering how climate changes relate to food. Climate change is evident across the globe, and these changes include heat waves, floods, and a host of other problems. Indirectly and directly, these events affect plant nutrition by altering the nutritional makeup, causing crops to rot, and inhibiting their growth.

The West is prone to floods, wildfires, and heat waves occasionally, but nothing like other places. We in the developed countries do not see the impact of climate change as much as our counterparts in developing nations. For example, the island nation of Madagascar is on the verge of famine fueled by climate change. They are impacted by droughts, which have converted their terrain from pasture to desertification. The natives have become so vulnerable that they rely on eating insects and cactus leaves for nourishment because they cannot harvest. People need to wake up to the changes taking place on our planet and the difficulties it presents to us. In order to combat this depressive state Mother Nature is experiencing, we must pivot in the right direction. These reactions are full-broadcast as a result of our behavior throughout the 20 and 21st centuries.

Our Behaviors Encouraging Climate Change:

The Science of Climate Change in Agriculture and Nutrition

Once there’s an increase in temperature, carbon dioxide and precipitation reaches a tipping point it affects plants composition:

• Comprising mineralization

• Decomposition (rottenness)

• Encourages leaching of minerals

• Losing of nutrients in the soil

Overall, human activities have increased the planet's temperature, which is the major catalyst fueling climate change. According to Elbasiouny et al, since the 19th century, carbon dioxide generated from human behavior has been the primary cause of the earth’s spike in temperature. In addition, carbon dioxide has demonstrated its ability to lower the concentration levels of several micronutrients in plants, a process known as leaching. The nutrients being depleted are calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc to name a few.

There are direct and indirect impacts of Climate Change:

Climate change causes food and nutrition insecurity. Food insecurity relates to the inability for a person to have access to basic food that provides quality and an adequate amount of essential nutrients. Several variables in association with climate change negatively impact a person’s ability to access, availability, utilization, and stability of nutritious food. 

Ways Climate Change induces Food and nutrition insecurity:

There’s a shift in dietary customs because of Climate Change on the Environment:

Families and countries with low to medium incomes are more likely to be affected. This is because marketing companies indirectly use the vulnerabilities of these groups to profit. The alternative options appear more reliable due to their extended shelf life and hyper-palatability.  

Why is this happening?

• Rapid urbanization

• Higher incomes

• Desertification

• Poorly grown crops

• Agriculture cost (Farmer’s raises; cost of produces raises and vice versa)

• Transit and transportation cost

• More women in the labor force

• Cost of ultra-processed foods tendencies to be lower than wholesome food

• Convenience of process food (time efficiency)

• Intense marketing of ultra-processed foods – snacks & beverages

The Alternative:

To combat climate change, it will require a global effort. In the past few years, many groups and countries have taken substantial strides to improve Mother Nature's health. Sustainability departments have become more prevalent in corporations in recent years, as they strategize ways to minimize their carbon footprints. Our global leaders meet regularly to address and develop ways to lower our contribution to global warming. Community leaders are stepping up to make a difference in the world. It is imperative that we pivot to better our world and future generations. The measures mentioned above are not a complete solution, but rather a springboard to propel us forward to bring about change.

We should push for a policy option that promotes sustainable healthy diets (SHDs). SHD are food options that are nutritious, contain chemical compounds that help fight diseases, are safe, cost effective, and culturally acceptable diets. In addition, there is minimal environmental burden.

More funding is needed to Inform, Educate, Nudge & Influence dietary choices:

Things you can do yourself to prevent climate change:

• Lower emission: Go for a bicycle ride to commute around your community (lower emission)

• Save Energy: Follow your energy company guideline to save energy

• Make use of the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

• Sustainable diet: a low-carbon one: Foods from the soil and trees

• Become an activist to save forests; join a local coalition

• Demand for policy change to complement your sustainable lifestyle

• Follow an Environment podcast and TedTalk to stay up to date

As I mentioned earlier, we have turned climate change into a big beast. Nonetheless, it is time to change the negligent way in which we have lived in the past. Live in a way that honors the planet, animals, and us, humans. This will be a huge hurdle to overcome but the small steps we take consistently will eventually lead us to our destination. Our first step should be focusing on our individual contributions, and then we should separate our messages for our peers. Join me on this journey and let’s have fun doing it together. As always, Stay Strong & Stay Vivid!

References

1. Brooks.  D.R., Hoberg. E.P., Boeger. W.A., & Trivellone. V. (2020). Emerging infectious disease: An underappreciated area of strategic concern for food security. Wileyonlinelibrary.com. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tbed.14009.

2. Alpino. T., Barros. D.C., Freitas. C.M. & Mazoto. M. L. (2020). The impacts of climate change on Food and Nutritional Security: a literature review. Sci Elo Brazil. https://www.scielo.br/j/csc/a/Rdr4LGpjWwGfmkgxMs6pLSL/?lang=en.

3. Elbasiouny. H. et al. Plant Nutrition under Climate Change and Soil Carbon Sequestration. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/2/914/htm.

4. Ruel. M.T. & Fanzo. J. (2022). Nutrition and Climate Change: Shifting to Sustainable Healthy Diets. International Food Policy Research Institute. https://ebrary.ifpri.org/digital/collection/p15738coll2/id/135886.

5. Harding. A. (2021, August 25). Madagascar on the brink of climate change-induced famine. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58303792/.

6. Actions to Fight Climate Change. Acciona. https://www.activesustainability.com/climate-change/6-actions-to-fight-climate-change/?_adin=02021864894/.