Scientists modelled how 30 food crops could be affected by warming between 1.5 and 4 degrees Celsius. The study, published in Nature Food, looks at changes in temperature, rainfall and aridity that reduce land suitable for farming.
Researchers say low-latitude countries will be hardest hit, including parts of the Middle East, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Under about 2 degrees of warming, up to a third of crop production in these regions would be at risk; with 3 degrees the share could rise to around half.
The study warns that staple foods such as rice, maize and wheat will be severely affected and that adaptation measures are needed, for example better seeds, irrigation and support to local farmers.
Difficult words
- model — use a computer to study or predictmodelled
- warming — increase in Earth's average temperature
- aridity — dryness of land and low rainfall
- low-latitude — near the equator, warm regions of Earth
- staple — main food that people eat often
- adaptation — changes people make to cope with change
- irrigation — bringing water to land for crops
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Discussion questions
- Which of the foods mentioned (rice, maize, wheat) do you or your family eat most?
- Have you noticed hotter weather or less rain where you live? How does that affect food or farming?
- What small changes could help farmers in your area if the climate gets hotter?
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