Climate change: 500,000 dead by 2050 from food shortage
With the ongoing climate change, it is now being reported that there could be 500,000 dead by 2050 from food shortage.
New research from the University of Oxford predicts that the increasing temperatures could destroy crops and kill up to half a million people by the year 2050.
“The health burden related to climate change is much bigger than we thought,” Peter Scarborough, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at the University of Oxford, told The Guardian.
India is predicted to see over 135,000 deaths by 2050. China would suffer even more deaths.
The study involved 155 countries and estimates a total 529,000 deaths across the world.
The research predicts the following about food production:
“The model projects that by 2050, climate change will lead to per-person reductions of 3·2% in global food availability, 4% in fruit and vegetable consumption, and 0·7% in red meat consumption,” the study reported.
The study also described the link between disease and climate change:
Climate change is considered by many as the greatest human crisis of our time. By the year 2100, the average earth temperature will increase by 5.8 degrees. While temperatures do fluctuate naturally, the global temperature has increased at a record rate in the past 50 years.
Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide pollution and other air pollution that collects in the atmosphere, and traps the heat form the sun, causing the planet to heat up.
The United States is the single largest culprit of carbon pollution, emitting two billion tons into the air every year.
The study predicting 500,000 dead by 2050 from food shortage was published in the journal The Lancet.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.
20 facts you must know about global warming.
6 endangered foods due to climate change.
World food supply in crisis with decline of pollinators.
REFERENCES:
1. “As Climate Change Decimates Crops, 500,000 People Will Die Annually by 2050.” TakePart. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.
2. “Global and Regional Health Effects of Future Food Production under Climate Change: A Modelling Study.” The Lancet. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.
3. “More than Half a Million Could Die as Climate Change Impacts Diet – Report.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 03 Mar. 2016. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.
4. “Climate Change Is Going to Change the Way India Eats-and Kill over 135,000 by 2050.” Quartz. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.
