Climate change threatens global food supply: Scientists sound alarm

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As climate change intensifies, scientists are raising alarms about its devastating impact on global food security.

A study published in Trends in Plant Science by an international team of researchers points to the urgent need to develop climate-resilient crops to avert severe food shortages, famine, mass migration, and global instability.

Silvia Restrepo, President of the Boyce Thompson Institute and co-author of the study, highlighted the growing challenges: “The crops we depend on for food are increasingly struggling to survive extreme weather, from heat waves to droughts and floods.”

The researchers identified agriculture as both a victim and a contributor to climate change. Farming accounts for significant greenhouse gas emissions, creating a vicious cycle that exacerbates the issue.

Alarmingly, current methods for developing resilient crops are not advancing quickly enough to meet the challenges posed by climate change.

To address this urgent problem, the study outlines five key recommendations:

* Global Collaboration: Foster partnerships between scientists in developed and developing nations.
* Field Research: Study plant responses in real-world conditions instead of solely in controlled laboratories.
* Farmer-Scientist Partnerships: Prioritize cooperation between researchers and farmers to create practical solutions.
* Public Engagement: Build trust and acceptance of innovative crop technologies.
* Policy Reforms: Streamline regulations to expedite the adoption of agricultural innovations.