Reduced levels of essential nutrients
Research has already shown that crops like wheat and rice produce lower levels of essential nutrients when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide, thanks to experiments that artificially increased CO2 concentrations in agricultural fields. While plants grew bigger, they also had lower concentrations of minerals like iron and zinc.
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that by 2050 1.3% of the global population could become protein deficient
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“One thing this research illustrates is a core principle of the emerging field of planetary health,” said Myers, who directs the Planetary Health Alliance, co-housed at Harvard Chan School and Harvard University Center for the Environment. “We cannot disrupt most of the biophysical conditions to which we have adapted over millions of years without unanticipated impacts on our own health and wellbeing.”
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The Impacts of Climate Change on Our Food Supply and Nutrition
Climate change is affecting every aspect of our lives, including the food we eat and the nutrients it provides. According to a new study published in the Lancet Planetary Health, by 2050, 1.3% of the global population could become protein deficient as a result of climate change. The research has already demonstrated that crops such as wheat and rice produce lower levels of essential nutrients when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide.While higher levels of CO2 can stimulate plant growth, they also lead to reduced mineral concentration in the crops. The research shows that we cannot disrupt the biophysical conditions that we have adapted to over millions of years without having unanticipated impacts on our health and wellbeing.These findings highlight a core principle of the emerging field of planetary health: everything is connected. We need to start looking at the planet as a whole, rather than as separate parts, if we are going to address the challenges of climate change and its impacts on our food supply and nutrition.As individuals, we can make changes to our diets that are more sustainable and climate-friendly, such as reducing our meat consumption, eating more plant-based foods, and reducing food waste. However, real change requires global cooperation and collective action to tackle the root causes of climate change. It is time to take action to protect our planet and our health.