6 endangered foods due to climate change
According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, “75 percent of crop diversity was lost between 1900 and 2000. A recent study, highlighted in the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, predicts that as much as 22 percent of the wild relatives of important food crops of peanut, potato and beans will disappear by 2055 because of a changing climate.”
If temperatures continue to rise, resilient crops will survive, but other foods may start to become endangered foods.
Some foods may even become extinct.
“Crops like amaranth and other indigenous crops are already resistant to high temperatures, drought, etc.,” Danielle Nierenberg of Food Tank says. “These are crops that have been forgotten for a long time; they’re often considered poor people’s foods or weeds but are often high in micronutrients and vitamins and also resistant to high temperatures, pests, disease, drought, etc.”
Let’s take a look at 6 endangered foods from climate change.
Chocolate:
Most chocolate is made in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Scientists believe that higher temperatures are affecting the growth of cacao, the main ingredient in chocolate.
Coffee:
Research from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that even a half-degree temperature increase can negatively affect coffee plants, and possibly put them on the endangered foods list.
Fish:
Besides overfishing, many species of fish are also in danger of climate change. Salmon and trout are cold-water fish, and temperature change can affect their growth and health.
Maple syrup:
Researchers from New Hampshire have been studying the effects of climate on the sweetness of maple, and they have found that rising temperatures decrease the sweetness of sugar maple.
Peanuts:
According to a government report, peanuts are “fussy” plants, and need just the right temperature and moisture to grow properly. If temperatures continue to grow, peanuts may make the list of endangered foods.
Wine:
Ideal climates for producing wine are changing in areas like California and France. Exposure to high temperatures can damage the organic acid in grapes.
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REFERENCES:
1. “6 Foods That Are Going Extinct Because of Climate Change.” TakePart. TakePart, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
2. “Coffee and Climate: What’s Brewing with Climate Change?” Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
3. “Scientists: Climate Change Not Sweet For Sugar Maples.” WGBH. WGBH, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
4. “Climate & Peanut Butter.” NOAA Climate.gov. NOAA Climate.gov, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
5. “Global Warming Threatens Cold-Water Fish.” NRDC. NRDC, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
6. “VIDEO: Going Forward by Going Back – 15 Indigenous Crops Feeding the World.” Food Tank. Food Tank, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
7. “Crop Biodiversity: Use It or Lose It.” FAO.org. FAO.org, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
