How Climate Change is Changing Our Food

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A pile of dried corn cobs, some with missing kernels.
Climate change is affecting crop yields—this image of dried corn cobs. Farmers face crop challenges with unpredictable weather patterns and environmental stress. Photo by Livier Garcia on Pexels.

What You Need to Know

Have you ever noticed that certain fruits or vegetables seem harder to find at the grocery store—or that prices for some foods have gone up significantly? If so, you’re not alone. Climate change is reshaping the way we grow food, affecting where crops can thrive and making some foods more difficult to produce.

As global temperatures rise, extreme weather events become more common, and rainfall patterns shift, farmers worldwide are facing new challenges. Some crops may no longer be able to grow in areas where they have been farmed for generations. Others may start appearing in places where they were once impossible to grow.

Below, we’ll explore how climate change is impacting food production, what it means for global food diversity, and what steps we can take to ensure a stable food supply for the future.

Why Climate Matters for Our Food

Every plant has specific needs—some require warmth, others need cooler temperatures, and all depend on the right amount of water. Imagine a banana tree—it flourishes in warm, humid regions. Now think about wheat, which grows best in cooler, drier climates. These differences explain why certain foods are grown in specific parts of the world.

But as global temperatures rise, these conditions are changing. Some places are becoming too hot or too dry for traditional crops, while others are experiencing floods or unexpected frosts. These shifts are forcing farmers to rethink what they plant and where they plant it.

  • More heat: Many crops, like rice and corn, have an upper temperature limit. Once it gets too hot, they stop growing.

  • Unpredictable rainfall: Some areas are getting too much rain, while others face droughts, making it harder to maintain stable harvests.

  • Soil changes: Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall can lead to soil degradation, making it harder to grow food in certain areas.

In short, climate change is making it more difficult to maintain the world’s current food production system.

The Problem – Crops Are Losing Their Homes

Scientists estimate that by 2100, up to 30% of global food crops could be growing in areas that no longer support them. The impact will be especially severe in low-latitude regions, which include parts of Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

Take rice, for example—a staple food for billions of people. If global temperatures rise by just 2°C (3.6°F), 17% of current rice-growing areas may no longer be suitable for production. That means farmers in these regions could struggle to produce enough food, leading to higher prices and potential food shortages.

This problem isn’t just about one crop. Other key foods like coconuts, yams, cowpeas, and pigeon peas could also see 50% or more of their global production become unsustainable under 3°C warming.

For many farmers, this means tough decisions—either adapt to the new climate, switch to different crops, or move elsewhere. But for people in these regions who rely on farming for food and income, these choices are not easy.

Some Places Will Gain, Others Will Lose

While some regions are struggling, others may actually benefit from climate change—at least in the short term.

  • North America and Europe could see an increase in food crop diversity as warming temperatures make it possible to grow foods that previously required warmer climates.

  • For example, Canada and northern parts of the U.S. may become suitable for crops like peaches, figs, and even citrus fruits.

  • Parts of Africa and South Asia may lose traditional crops like maize and coffee as conditions become too hot or dry.

But this shift isn’t as simple as it sounds. Just because a crop can grow in a new location doesn’t mean farmers are immediately ready to produce it. They need the right equipment, knowledge, and infrastructure to make the transition successful.

Additionally, pests and diseases that once affected crops in warmer climates may start appearing in new areas, making farming even more unpredictable.

Why Losing Crop Diversity is a Big Deal

A diverse food system is a strong food system. When farmers grow a variety of crops, it helps:

  • Protect against crop failures: If one crop struggles due to drought or disease, others can still provide food and income.

  • Support a stable food supply: Different crops provide different nutrients, ensuring balanced diets for communities.

  • Strengthen ecosystems: Crop diversity can improve soil health, reduce pest outbreaks, and increase resilience to extreme weather.

Climate change is reducing crop diversity, especially in low-latitude regions. When fewer crops can grow in an area, food supplies become more vulnerable to disease, pests, and climate disasters.

For example, if a region depends heavily on one type of grain and that grain fails due to extreme heat, food prices can skyrocket, leaving many people without affordable options. This is why protecting crop diversity is essential for food security.

What Can Be Done?

While the challenges are real, there are ways to adapt and protect our food supply. Here’s how different groups can take action:

Farmers can adapt by:

  • Growing heat-resistant and drought-tolerant crops.

  • Using smarter irrigation systems to conserve water.

  • Practicing crop rotation to keep soil healthy and improve resilience.

Scientists are helping by:

  • Developing new crop varieties that can handle extreme weather.

  • Improving soil management techniques to keep farmland productive.

  • Researching alternative farming methods like vertical and hydroponic farming.

Governments and communities can support by:

  • Creating policies that support sustainable farming and innovation.

  • Investing in research and education for farmers.

  • Helping farmers transition to new crops when necessary.

Consumers can make a difference by:

  • Supporting local farmers: Buying locally grown food helps reduce the carbon footprint.

  • Eating seasonal foods: This reduces the demand for crops that require excessive resources to grow in the wrong climate.

  • Reducing food waste: Less waste means less pressure on global food production.

Every action, big or small, contributes to a more sustainable food future.

The Future of Food is in Our Hands

Climate change is already reshaping our food system. Some regions are struggling to maintain traditional crops, while others are seeing new opportunities. But without careful planning, food shortages, rising prices, and loss of diversity could threaten global food security.

The good news? There are solutions. Farmers, scientists, policymakers, and consumers all have a role to play in ensuring a resilient and diverse food supply for future generations.

So next time you’re at the grocery store, take a moment to think about where your food comes from. What if your favorite fruits and vegetables disappeared? What steps can you take today to support a more sustainable food future?

The choices we make now will shape the food we eat tomorrow.

Source: Heikonen, S., Heino, M., Jalava, M., Siebert, S., Viviroli, D., & Kummu, M. (2025). Climate change threatens crop diversity at low latitudes. Nature Food. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-025-01135-w?error=cookies_not_supported&code=4791b26a-7950-40df-9a19-33dc3e5ebeff

Planetary Solvency: Why Our Future Depends on Protecting Nature

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Cover of 'Planetary solvency – finding our balance with nature: Global risk management for human prosperity' study.
Cover of “Planetary solvency – finding our balance with nature: Global risk management for human prosperity” study.

The Big Picture

Imagine waking up to find grocery store shelves half-empty, the price of fresh produce soaring, and unpredictable storms disrupting everyday life. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a growing reality as our planet’s climate shifts in dangerous ways.

Scientists warn that unless we change course, we risk reaching Planetary Insolvency—a state where nature can no longer support human needs. But here’s the good news: we still have time to act. Understanding the risks and making smarter choices today can help us create a future where people and nature thrive together.

What Is Planetary Solvency?

Think about a business. If it spends more money than it earns, it eventually goes bankrupt. Our planet works in a similar way—if we take more from nature than it can regenerate, we risk collapsing the very systems that support life.

Planetary Solvency is the idea that we must manage Earth’s resources wisely to keep society stable. This means keeping our air and water clean, protecting forests and oceans, and ensuring that nature continues to provide the essentials we rely on—like food, water, and a livable climate.

For decades, economies have focused on short-term profit without considering the environmental “debt” we’re racking up. Now, we’re starting to see the consequences—but it’s not too late to course-correct.

The Warning Signs: Key Statistics You Need to Know

Climate scientists and risk analysts have uncovered troubling trends that show just how urgent this issue is:

  • The past 12 months were the hottest on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (Trust et al., 2025).

  • A key ocean current system (AMOC) has a 45% chance of collapsing by 2040. This would cause extreme weather shifts, including stronger hurricanes, longer droughts, and disrupted food production.

  • If global warming reaches 2.5°C, over 50% of land suitable for growing wheat and maize could be lost, making food shortages more common.

  • Economic risk models ignore 87% of industries, assuming they won’t be affected by climate change. This is a dangerous miscalculation—nearly all businesses depend on stable natural systems.

  • Some projections estimate that climate-driven disasters could reduce global GDP by up to 63% by 2100, leading to widespread economic instability.

The takeaway? Climate change isn’t just about rising temperatures—it affects food security, jobs, public health, and global stability.

Why Current Climate Plans Are Not Enough

Many governments have pledged to cut carbon emissions and protect ecosystems, but current efforts fall short. Here’s why:

  • The Paris Agreement didn’t account for tipping points: Climate disasters don’t happen in isolation. When one event (like Arctic ice melting) triggers another (such as changing ocean currents), the effects spiral out of control. Many climate policies fail to consider this domino effect.

  • Short-term economic focus: Many governments prioritize economic growth over environmental stability, even though our economy depends on nature—from agriculture to clean water to disaster resilience.

  • Underestimated risks: Climate models often leave out the worst-case scenarios because they are hard to predict. However, ignoring unlikely but catastrophic events is a major risk management failure.

In short, we need stronger and more realistic climate policies that recognize the full scale of the threat.

What Needs to Change: The RESILIENCE Plan

To prevent Planetary Insolvency, experts recommend a RESILIENCE-based approach, which includes:

  • Better Risk Assessments: Governments and businesses need realistic climate risk models—like financial audits, but for Earth’s health.

  • Stronger Policies: Enforceable limits on pollution, deforestation, and overfishing.

  • Faster Emissions Reductions: The longer we wait, the harder it becomes to prevent extreme warming.

  • Restoring Nature: Protecting and rebuilding ecosystems like forests and wetlands, which absorb carbon and prevent natural disasters.

  • Educating Leaders: Many policymakers lack a deep understanding of climate risk. We need climate-literate decision-makers who can balance economic growth with sustainability.

The path forward isn’t just about stopping damage—it’s about creating a world where nature and people thrive together.

What Can YOU Do?

While governments and businesses play a major role, individuals can make a difference too. Here are some ways to take action:

  • Stay Informed: Read about climate solutions, not just problems. Understanding what works can help shape smarter decisions.

  • Push for Policy Change: Vote for leaders and support policies that prioritize sustainability. Your voice matters.

  • Make Smarter Choices: Support businesses committed to sustainable practices. Reduce waste and be mindful of energy consumption.

  • Spread Awareness: Talk about these issues with friends and family. Many people want to help but don’t know where to start.

These small steps, when multiplied across millions of people, can drive real change.

Summing Up

The future isn’t set in stone. What we do today will determine whether our planet remains livable or spirals into crisis. By managing Earth’s resources as carefully as we manage money, we can protect future generations and ensure a stable, thriving world.The good news? We still have time to act—but the clock is ticking. Will we make the right choice?

Source: Trust, S., Saye, L., Bettis, O., Bedenham, G., Hampshire, O., Lenton, T. M., & Abrams, J. (2025, January). Planetary solvency – finding our balance with nature: Global risk management for human prosperity. Institute and Faculty of Actuaries & Exeter University.

National Parks at Risk: How Privatization Could Speed Up Climate Change

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Yosemite Valley, among the trees.
Yosemite Valley, among the trees, in June 2023. Credit: Diana Bald

America’s national parks are powerful and beautiful. They are scenic vacation spots and part of our shared heritage. They are home to countless wildlife species and natural protectors against climate change. Recently, concerns have grown about privatization—the idea of private companies taking over or managing aspects of our national parks. Why does this matter? Privatization could change how these lands are cared for, possibly speeding up climate change and limiting public access.

Below we’ll share what privatization is, why it’s happening, and how it might put our parks—and our planet—at risk. You’ll learn about potential harm to wildlife and ecosystems and see how private profit-seeking might increase carbon pollution. Finally, we’ll look at the different sides of the debate and share ways you can help protect these treasures for future generations.

What Is National Park Privatization?

Privatization of national parks means involving private companies in running parts of a park—or, in more extreme cases, selling park land. While the second option is very rare and highly controversial, there are other, more common ways private interests can step in.

  • Concessions: This is when private businesses manage hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, or gift shops inside a national park. A company might build and operate a lodge while paying fees to the government.

  • Public-Private Partnerships: The government owns the park but hires or partners with a private operator to handle daily services, like cleaning facilities or running visitor centers.

  • Outright Sale: In uncommon situations, park land could be sold to a private entity, meaning it is no longer publicly owned.

Why It’s Happening

Many parks have significant funding gaps. According to the National Park Service (NPS), national parks in the United States face an estimated $11.9 billion maintenance backlog, meaning there’s a lot of work that needs to be done—like fixing roads, upgrading water systems, and repairing trails—but not enough money to do it all. Some people believe private companies can fill this gap by bringing in their own funds and running things more efficiently.

Why Do People Worry About Privatization?

Privatization sometimes gives private businesses room to push for more development—like building bigger hotels or even introducing commercial activities in delicate areas. This can mean fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide, more greenhouse gas emissions from construction, and more energy use to support amenities like large resorts (Source: National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)).

Loss of Public Control

Our national parks belong to all of us. When for-profit companies take a bigger role, everyday citizens can lose their say in how these lands are used. Government agencies like the National Park Service aim to protect wildlife, natural beauty, and our shared heritage. Private companies have a duty to earn profits. These two goals don’t always line up.

Risk of High Prices and Limited Access

Private businesses often raise fees to cover costs and make a profit. That might include higher prices for overnight stays, guided tours, or even basic park entry. Imagine a scenario where only those who can pay premium rates get to enjoy our national treasures. That kind of setup could exclude families on a budget or students looking to learn about nature firsthand.

How Could Privatization Speed Up Climate Change?

Privately built hotels, roads, and resorts can encroach on forests or wetlands that store carbon. Removing trees or filling in wetlands releases carbon that was previously locked away in plants and soil, adding to the greenhouse gases warming our planet.

When privatization weakens environmental protections, there’s a chance that companies will seek permission to mine, drill, or log on public lands near or even within parks. Extracting natural resources not only increases carbon emissions but also disrupts critical habitats for animals and plants.

A private operator looking for higher profits might want to draw large crowds. More visitors can be wonderful for education and appreciation, but it can also mean more cars, heavier traffic, and longer lines, all leading to additional exhaust fumes and higher greenhouse gas emissions.

Harm to Wildlife and Ecosystems

Big developments like roads, fences, or commercial sites can cut wildlife habitats into smaller pieces. When animals can’t move around freely to find food or migrate, their populations may decline. This fragmentation makes ecosystems more fragile and less able to bounce back from natural disasters linked to climate change.

Reduced Biodiversity

National parks often safeguard a vast range of plant and animal species. Overbuilding, pollution, and noise can push away or endanger species—leading to a drop in biodiversity. Healthy ecosystems rely on a balance of predators, prey, and plants. When that balance is lost, the entire system can unravel.

Less Resilient Ecosystems

Forests, wetlands, and grasslands inside parks help lessen the worst impacts of climate change by storing carbon, stabilizing soils, and buffering against floods. If these areas become fragmented or polluted, they can’t protect us as effectively from the rising threats of wildfires, severe storms, or droughts (Source: United Nations Environment Programme).

Different Sides of the Argument

We’re stunned by the concept of loosing national parks that belong to all of us to private ownership of a few. Privatization supporters argue that private companies could bring much-needed funding, potentially fix aging facilities, and even offer new innovations—like using clean energy in park buildings. They also point out that private partnerships might generate jobs for local communities. Critics worry that a focus on profit could weaken conservation efforts, possibly leading to higher entrance fees that shut out families or lower-income visitors. They also warn that private operators may not face the same level of public oversight, which could make environmental regulations harder to enforce.

Arguments For Privatization

  • May bring more money to fix trails, roads, and park facilities.
  • Could create jobs in local communities, especially around tourism.
  • Potential for private innovation, such as using solar power in new building projects if the contract requires it.

Arguments Against Privatization

  • Profit motives overlook long-term conservation and climate goals.
  • Increased fees could limit public access and make visiting too expensive for many people.
  • Less accountability and oversight mean environmental standards may not be enforced strictly.

Actions Concerned Citizens Can Take

You don’t need a science degree or a powerful position to help protect our parks. Here are some ways you can make a difference:

  • Stay Informed
  • Speak Up
    • Contact your elected officials—call, email, or meet them at a town hall—and share your concerns about privatization proposals.
    • Write letters to local newspapers or post on social media to raise awareness.
  • Support Public Funding
    • Advocate for strong public budgets for parks. For instance, the Great American Outdoors Act helps fund maintenance and conservation projects without relying solely on private money.
    • Encourage your community to vote in favor of bond measures or other funding initiatives that keep parks public and well-maintained.
  • Volunteer and Donate
    • Donate to nonprofits dedicated to conservation and biodiversity.
    • Look for volunteer programs in local or national parks, where you can help maintain trails or educate visitors about conservation.

Final Thoughts

National parks belong to everyone. While privatization might seem like a quick fix to budget problems, it can have serious effects on our climate and on the health of these special places. Private operators could prioritize profits over the long-term well-being of wildlife and ecosystems, leading to more carbon emissions and less public involvement.

By staying informed, speaking up, and supporting strong public funding, you can help protect national parks for generations to come. Your voice matters in deciding how these natural wonders should be cared for. With a little effort, we can make sure our parks remain open, wild, and resilient in a changing climate—leaving a healthy legacy for those who come after us.

Sources