Climate changes and food supply
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)
Hotter and drier weather in North America, caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases and the thinning of the ozone layer, could cut crop production by as much as 27 percent, calculates David Pimentel of Cornell University. At the same time, however, climate changes in eastern and central Africa could be beneficial-increasing yields from 10 to 30 percent he says. Admitting to [open quotes]enormous uncertainties[close quotes] concerning predicted climate changes and their impact on food production, Pimentel, nevertheless, says one thing is certain: [open quotes]Global warming is likely to alter production of rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, and potatoes-staples for billions of people and major food corps in both North America and Africa.[close quotes] Under his scenario, temperatures in both places would rise about 2 degrees Centigrade, but rainfall would be about 10 percent lower in North America and 10 percent higher in Africa. Major impacts on food production will come from changes in temperature, moisture levels, ultraviolet radiation, carbon-dioxide levels, and pests and diseases, he says. Strategies to offset some of the crop loses could include better soil and water conservation practices, more tolerant crop varieties, improved pest and weed control, and more use of irrigation, he explains.
- OSTI ID:
- 5579867
- Journal Information:
- Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 8:4; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AFRICA
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CEREALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATIC CHANGE
CROPS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FEEDING
FOOD
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GRAMINEAE
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
GROWTH
HUMAN POPULATIONS
IRRIGATION
LAYERS
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE LAYER
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POPULATIONS
POTATOES
RADIATIONS
RICE
SOYBEANS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
TUBERS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VEGETABLES
WEATHER
WHEAT
YIELDS