#ClimateInflation, 2023 #Food edition
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A secret weapon in agriculture’s climate fight: #Ants
"Though most people view the small insects as little more than a nuisance, colonies of them are being deployed in orchards across a handful of countries to stave off the spread of crippling infestation and disease.
Past studies have found that for crops from cocoa to citrus, ants could replace #insecticides in a multitude of climates and locations."
A secret weapon in agriculture's climate fight: Ants
Ants — yes, ants — could protect apples, nuts, cocoa, and other beloved crops from disease and climate change.
Grist (grist.org)
It will be interesting to see how this will fare, together with permaculture, biodynamic farming, etc. All of these work-with-nature approaches are a threat to the business model of the fertiliser and pesticides industry (which is at bottom the fossil fuel industry).
A secret weapon in agriculture's climate fight: Ants
Ants — yes, ants — could protect apples, nuts, cocoa, and other beloved crops from disease and climate change.
Grist (grist.org)
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It will be interesting to see how this will fare, together with permaculture, biodynamic farming, etc. All of these work-with-nature approaches are a threat to the business model of the fertiliser and pesticides industry (which is at bottom the fossil fuel industry).
A secret weapon in agriculture's climate fight: Ants
Ants — yes, ants — could protect apples, nuts, cocoa, and other beloved crops from disease and climate change.
Grist (grist.org)
#ClimateChange is turning Valentine's Day bitter for #chocolate lovers
"Disruptive weather patterns fueled by climate change have hammered West Africa, where most of the world’s cacao, the raw form of the bean that gets processed into cocoa, is grown. Similar challenges have been mounting for coffee farmers, too, fueling a sharp price spike on global markets that consumers are increasingly expected to feel this year."
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/chocolate-prices-valentines-day-candy-climate-change-rcna190866
#ClimateInflation -
#ClimateChange is turning Valentine's Day bitter for #chocolate lovers
"Disruptive weather patterns fueled by climate change have hammered West Africa, where most of the world’s cacao, the raw form of the bean that gets processed into cocoa, is grown. Similar challenges have been mounting for coffee farmers, too, fueling a sharp price spike on global markets that consumers are increasingly expected to feel this year."
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/chocolate-prices-valentines-day-candy-climate-change-rcna190866
#ClimateInflation"A new report has found direct connections between the climate crisis and rising cost-of-living pressures. Failure to lower emissions now will only aggravate the crisis, with each moment of inaction compounding the pressure on households.
The report identifies three key areas where the climate crisis is directly driving up costs for Australians: insurance, food, and energy."
https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/climate-crisis-escalates-cost-of-living-pressures/
#ClimateInflation -
"A new report has found direct connections between the climate crisis and rising cost-of-living pressures. Failure to lower emissions now will only aggravate the crisis, with each moment of inaction compounding the pressure on households.
The report identifies three key areas where the climate crisis is directly driving up costs for Australians: insurance, food, and energy."
https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/climate-crisis-escalates-cost-of-living-pressures/
#ClimateInflation"In #SouthSudan's Eastern Equatoria state, the worsening #climate crisis has brought erratic rainfall, extended droughts, and #ExtremeEeather events, significantly affecting food security across the region.
These shocks, along with an invasion of birds, have disrupted agricultural activities, reduced crop yields, and intensified food shortages, leaving communities vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition."
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"In #SouthSudan's Eastern Equatoria state, the worsening #climate crisis has brought erratic rainfall, extended droughts, and #ExtremeEeather events, significantly affecting food security across the region.
These shocks, along with an invasion of birds, have disrupted agricultural activities, reduced crop yields, and intensified food shortages, leaving communities vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition."
"In the northernmost prefecture of #Hokkaido, poor fishing conditions triggered by global warming are endangering #Japan's prized salmon -- widely considered one of the country's favorite seafood.
A researcher has warned that climate change is forcing Hokkaido's chum salmon, which make up the bulk of Japan's #salmon catch, into a losing battle with a relative for food, hindering their return in large numbers to spawn in the rivers where they were released."
FEATURE: Japanese salmon catches plummet in losing battle to climate change
There is trouble on the horizon in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, where poor fishing conditions triggered by global warming are endangering Japan's prized salmon -- widely considered one of the country's favorite seafood.
Japan Wire by Kyodo News (english.kyodonews.net)
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"In the northernmost prefecture of #Hokkaido, poor fishing conditions triggered by global warming are endangering #Japan's prized salmon -- widely considered one of the country's favorite seafood.
A researcher has warned that climate change is forcing Hokkaido's chum salmon, which make up the bulk of Japan's #salmon catch, into a losing battle with a relative for food, hindering their return in large numbers to spawn in the rivers where they were released."
FEATURE: Japanese salmon catches plummet in losing battle to climate change
There is trouble on the horizon in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, where poor fishing conditions triggered by global warming are endangering Japan's prized salmon -- widely considered one of the country's favorite seafood.
Japan Wire by Kyodo News (english.kyodonews.net)
"#Pakistan’s bees once produced 22 varieties of honey, but that has plummeted to 11 as flowering seasons shorten. Three of the country’s four honeybee species are endangered.
#Bees are threatened globally by changing weather patterns, intensive farming practices, land-use change, and pesticides."
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/3/4/photos-climate-crisis-threatens-pakistans-bees-and-honey-trade
#ClimateInflation -
"#Pakistan’s bees once produced 22 varieties of honey, but that has plummeted to 11 as flowering seasons shorten. Three of the country’s four honeybee species are endangered.
#Bees are threatened globally by changing weather patterns, intensive farming practices, land-use change, and pesticides."
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/3/4/photos-climate-crisis-threatens-pakistans-bees-and-honey-trade
#ClimateInflation"The study ... finds that under just 1.5°C of warming, more than half of the studied crops would suffer from an overall loss of potential suitable cropland, compared to the current climate.
The most affected crops are wheat, barley, soya beans, lentils and potatoes.
Beyond 2°C warming, the declines in suitable areas for the 30 crops become more pronounced – in some cases approaching and passing 50 per cent, the study notes."
Half of global croplands could see a drop in suitable crops at 2°C of warming
More than half of global cropland areas could see a decline in the number of suitable crops under a warming scenario of 2°C, new research finds.
Eco-Business (www.eco-business.com)
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"The study ... finds that under just 1.5°C of warming, more than half of the studied crops would suffer from an overall loss of potential suitable cropland, compared to the current climate.
The most affected crops are wheat, barley, soya beans, lentils and potatoes.
Beyond 2°C warming, the declines in suitable areas for the 30 crops become more pronounced – in some cases approaching and passing 50 per cent, the study notes."
Half of global croplands could see a drop in suitable crops at 2°C of warming
More than half of global cropland areas could see a decline in the number of suitable crops under a warming scenario of 2°C, new research finds.
Eco-Business (www.eco-business.com)
Climate change threatens Latin American banana exports
"A study published in Nature Food has found that by 2080, rising temperatures will lead to a 60 per cent reduction in suitable areas for export #banana production in #LatinAmerica and the #Caribbean without urgent interventions to tackle #ClimateChange.
Yield declines are expected in most of the region’s current banana-growing areas."
Climate change threatens Latin American banana exports
Climate change will make large swathes of Latin America unsuitable for banana production without urgent intervention, say researchers.
SciDev.Net (www.scidev.net)
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Climate change threatens Latin American banana exports
"A study published in Nature Food has found that by 2080, rising temperatures will lead to a 60 per cent reduction in suitable areas for export #banana production in #LatinAmerica and the #Caribbean without urgent interventions to tackle #ClimateChange.
Yield declines are expected in most of the region’s current banana-growing areas."
Climate change threatens Latin American banana exports
Climate change will make large swathes of Latin America unsuitable for banana production without urgent intervention, say researchers.
SciDev.Net (www.scidev.net)
Less coffee, more chocolate (both more expensive)
"This changing #climate has made mid-altitude lands, once dominated by #coffee, ideal for cacao. But economics also plays a role in this switch, say researchers. #Cacao prices have increased in the last year and some farmers find it too hard to manage the costs of controlling more pests on their coffee crops as temperatures get warmer."
Colombian farmers switch from coffee to cacao as temperature and prices soar
Environmental science and conservation news
Conservation news (news.mongabay.com)
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Less coffee, more chocolate (both more expensive)
"This changing #climate has made mid-altitude lands, once dominated by #coffee, ideal for cacao. But economics also plays a role in this switch, say researchers. #Cacao prices have increased in the last year and some farmers find it too hard to manage the costs of controlling more pests on their coffee crops as temperatures get warmer."
Colombian farmers switch from coffee to cacao as temperature and prices soar
Environmental science and conservation news
Conservation news (news.mongabay.com)
"Global yields of wheat are around 10% lower now than they would have been without the influence of climate change, according to a new study.
The study also assesses the impacts that warming and vapour pressure deficit – a key driver of plant water stress – have on crop yields.
The models show that these effects may be the main driver of losses in grain yield, with heat having a more “indirect effect”, as higher temperatures drive water stress. "
https://www.carbonbrief.org/global-wheat-yields-would-be-10-higher-without-climate-change/
#ClimateInflation -
"Global yields of wheat are around 10% lower now than they would have been without the influence of climate change, according to a new study.
The study also assesses the impacts that warming and vapour pressure deficit – a key driver of plant water stress – have on crop yields.
The models show that these effects may be the main driver of losses in grain yield, with heat having a more “indirect effect”, as higher temperatures drive water stress. "
https://www.carbonbrief.org/global-wheat-yields-would-be-10-higher-without-climate-change/
#ClimateInflationClimate change threatens banana exports, key to the Latin American economy
A study indicates that rising temperatures threaten 60% of the area suitable for growing the tropical fruit
https://english.elpais.com/climate/2025-06-07/climate-change-threatens-banana-exports-key-to-the-latin-american-economy.html
#ClimateInflation -
Climate change threatens banana exports, key to the Latin American economy
A study indicates that rising temperatures threaten 60% of the area suitable for growing the tropical fruit
https://english.elpais.com/climate/2025-06-07/climate-change-threatens-banana-exports-key-to-the-latin-american-economy.html
#ClimateInflationRapidly Increasing Soil Salinity Threatens Global Food Supply: UN Report
"The report, Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils, found that roughly 3.41 billion acres — 10.7 percent of land worldwide — is impacted by salinity, with another 2.47 billion acres classified as “at risk,” reported The Guardian."
Rapidly Increasing Soil Salinity Threatens Global Food Supply: UN Report - EcoWatch
The rapidly increasing amount of land affected by excess salt will lead to potentially devastating effects on global food production.
EcoWatch (www.ecowatch.com)
[Reminder that nearly half the US corn crop is grown for corn ethanol additives to gasoline.
Maybe grow less food for cars, more for people.] -
Rapidly Increasing Soil Salinity Threatens Global Food Supply: UN Report
"The report, Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils, found that roughly 3.41 billion acres — 10.7 percent of land worldwide — is impacted by salinity, with another 2.47 billion acres classified as “at risk,” reported The Guardian."
Rapidly Increasing Soil Salinity Threatens Global Food Supply: UN Report - EcoWatch
The rapidly increasing amount of land affected by excess salt will lead to potentially devastating effects on global food production.
EcoWatch (www.ecowatch.com)
[Reminder that nearly half the US corn crop is grown for corn ethanol additives to gasoline.
Maybe grow less food for cars, more for people.]"Rising global temperatures are set to devastate food crops across the world.
One of the striking findings of the study is that some of the wealthiest countries are likely to be hardest hit.
The only staple crop that might be able to avoid substantial losses is rice, which can benefit from warmer nighttime temperatures."
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"Rising global temperatures are set to devastate food crops across the world.
One of the striking findings of the study is that some of the wealthiest countries are likely to be hardest hit.
The only staple crop that might be able to avoid substantial losses is rice, which can benefit from warmer nighttime temperatures."
"While producers struggle to harvest the same amounts of food in the face of droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes, shoppers are more likely to face climbing food prices.
[A study of ] caloric output of agricultural production found that for every additional degree Celsius of warming, the global food system will produce roughly 120 fewer calories per person per day.
[At 3C warming], that’s the equivalent of everyone on the planet missing out on breakfast."
What does climate change mean for agriculture? Less food and more emissions.
New research sheds light on how rising temperatures are squeezing farmers and raising prices for consumers.
Grist (grist.org)
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"While producers struggle to harvest the same amounts of food in the face of droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes, shoppers are more likely to face climbing food prices.
[A study of ] caloric output of agricultural production found that for every additional degree Celsius of warming, the global food system will produce roughly 120 fewer calories per person per day.
[At 3C warming], that’s the equivalent of everyone on the planet missing out on breakfast."
What does climate change mean for agriculture? Less food and more emissions.
New research sheds light on how rising temperatures are squeezing farmers and raising prices for consumers.
Grist (grist.org)
"Drought is pushing tens of millions of people to the edge of starvation around the world, in a foretaste of a global crisis that is rapidly deepening with climate breakdown.
More than 90 million people in eastern and southern Africa are facing extreme hunger after record-breaking drought across many areas, ensuing widespread crop failures and the death of livestock. In Somalia, a quarter of the population is now edging towards starvation."
Droughts worldwide pushing tens of millions towards starvation, says report
Water shortages hitting crops, energy and health as crisis gathers pace amid climate breakdown
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
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"Drought is pushing tens of millions of people to the edge of starvation around the world, in a foretaste of a global crisis that is rapidly deepening with climate breakdown.
More than 90 million people in eastern and southern Africa are facing extreme hunger after record-breaking drought across many areas, ensuing widespread crop failures and the death of livestock. In Somalia, a quarter of the population is now edging towards starvation."
Droughts worldwide pushing tens of millions towards starvation, says report
Water shortages hitting crops, energy and health as crisis gathers pace amid climate breakdown
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
"By early 2024, Morocco had experienced six consecutive years of drought, leading to a 57% water deficit. In Spain, a 50% fall in olive production, driven by a lack of rainfall, has caused olive oil prices to double, while in Turkey land degradation has left 88% of the country at risk of desertification, and demands from agriculture have emptied aquifers. Dangerous sinkholes have opened up as a result of overextraction."
Droughts worldwide pushing tens of millions towards starvation, says report
Water shortages hitting crops, energy and health as crisis gathers pace amid climate breakdown
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
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"By early 2024, Morocco had experienced six consecutive years of drought, leading to a 57% water deficit. In Spain, a 50% fall in olive production, driven by a lack of rainfall, has caused olive oil prices to double, while in Turkey land degradation has left 88% of the country at risk of desertification, and demands from agriculture have emptied aquifers. Dangerous sinkholes have opened up as a result of overextraction."
Droughts worldwide pushing tens of millions towards starvation, says report
Water shortages hitting crops, energy and health as crisis gathers pace amid climate breakdown
the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
"Statistics Korea cited climate as a factor in last month's rise in consumer prices. Radish prices jumped 54 percent year-on-year, and shredded squid rose 39.9 percent, with surging prices in seafood and livestock products contributing significantly to inflation.
“Radish and napa cabbage shipments declined due to frequent heavy rains and abnormal temperatures, causing prices to spike. Seafood catches have fallen due to rising sea temperatures.”"https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-04/business/economy/Grocery-prices-overheat-as-climate-change-hurts-yields-with-no-relief-in-sight/2345789
#ClimateInflation -
"Statistics Korea cited climate as a factor in last month's rise in consumer prices. Radish prices jumped 54 percent year-on-year, and shredded squid rose 39.9 percent, with surging prices in seafood and livestock products contributing significantly to inflation.
“Radish and napa cabbage shipments declined due to frequent heavy rains and abnormal temperatures, causing prices to spike. Seafood catches have fallen due to rising sea temperatures.”"https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-04/business/economy/Grocery-prices-overheat-as-climate-change-hurts-yields-with-no-relief-in-sight/2345789
#ClimateInflation"A [new] study directly links dozens of climate extremes to sharp food price spikes, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of food systems to environmental shocks.
Previous studies have examined how high temperatures, which cause waning yields and supply shortages, drive general food price inflation over the long term. However, the new research shows that specific food items also experience much steeper short-term price spikes which feed into inflation."
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"A [new] study directly links dozens of climate extremes to sharp food price spikes, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of food systems to environmental shocks.
Previous studies have examined how high temperatures, which cause waning yields and supply shortages, drive general food price inflation over the long term. However, the new research shows that specific food items also experience much steeper short-term price spikes which feed into inflation."
"The cost of a wide range of goods – from vegetables in California to coffee in Brazil – saw dramatic spikes in recent years due to weather conditions that were “so extreme they exceeded all historical precedent prior to 2020,” according to [a new] study.
By driving up food prices extreme weather conditions can also worsen overall inflation, which can lead to political unrest and social upheaval, the researchers noted."
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/business/food-prices-climate-change-intl
#ClimateInflation -
"The cost of a wide range of goods – from vegetables in California to coffee in Brazil – saw dramatic spikes in recent years due to weather conditions that were “so extreme they exceeded all historical precedent prior to 2020,” according to [a new] study.
By driving up food prices extreme weather conditions can also worsen overall inflation, which can lead to political unrest and social upheaval, the researchers noted."
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/business/food-prices-climate-change-intl
#ClimateInflation"Soaring food prices have been a major concern for consumers around the world since around 2021, with prices rising due to extreme weather fuelled by climate change, higher production costs and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – among other factors. "
https://www.carbonbrief.org/mapped-16-times-extreme-weather-drove-higher-food-prices-since-2022/
#ClimateInflation
