By Vijay Jayaraj
Countries worldwide are surpassing previous records for food crop production. This is good news that stands in stark contrast to the apocalyptic picture the media paints every day in the climate and weather reports.
Because food is fundamental to human survival, even a slight increase in its price can significantly affect millions – even billions of people –. “When food goes bad, everything goes bad,” says Geraldine MatchettCo-Chair of the CEO Coalition for Food, Nature, and Health.
So it’s no surprise that fear-mongers see climate change as the biggest threat to the world’s food security. The endlessly recycled articles and TV shows constantly give false information that the Earth is heating up dangerously which could put crops at risk or destroy them.
In the real world, however, the data shows historically high crop yields across the globe. This is because climate change has supported the growth of food crops, as well as other vegetation. The bountiful harvest further confirms this. As in previous years, 2023 is expected to produce records in agricultural production in many countries.
Wheat is the main source of calories, protein and essential nutrients, and it is relatively easy to grow and maintain. A reliable food source in many regions, wheat is staple crops estimated 35 percent of the world population.
After a year of supply uncertainty due to war in Ukraine, wheat production is expected to increase globally. In the UK, for example, wheat production in 2022-23 is expected to increase by 450,000 tonnes from the previous year. In the United States, winter wheat is grown on nearly 37 million acres, 11 percent increase compared to the previous year and the highest in 8 years.
In Africa, Zimbabwe produced a record 375,000 tonnes of wheat in 2022, making the country self-sufficient. The new record 13 percent higher year over year and surpassing the 50 year old record. This saved the country $300 million that it should have spent on wheat imports.
India is second only to China in wheat production. Government of India reports that wheat production will reach all-time high of 112 million tons in the 2022-23 crop year.
“The outlook for the wheat crop is better due to the current weather conditions and slightly higher acreage,” Economic Times reported..
In fact, globally, there has been a steady increase in wheat production in tons per hectare, with some of the highest production being in China.
Crop yields in the 21st century have increased due to a combination of factors. Among them are the use of modern technologies, Developing high yielding cultivars through plant breeding and genetic engineering and application of fertilizers.
However, this level of production would not have been possible without global warming following the Little Ice Age since the 18th century.order century and the modern rise of atmospheric CO2.
Warmer has allowed growing seasons to last longer and grow more crops. CO2 is higher2 concentrations helped plants photosynthesize more efficiently, resulting in plant growth and yield.
Even in the worst case scenario for the alarmists, when temperatures rise sharply, global agriculture can adapt through genetically advanced food crops that can withstand severe drought. extremes and high temperatures.
There is simply no reason to be alarmed about the impact of climate on global food production today, next year or in 100 years. In fact, the climate is supporting crop growth and helping the world feed its growing population.
This commentary was first published at daily callerJanuary 21, 2023, and can be accessed here.
Vijay Jayaraj is a Research Associate at CO2 Alliance, Arlington, Virginia. He holds a master’s degree in environmental science from the University of East Anglia, UK and resides in India.
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