Research: Climate change threatens the cultivation of food crops, especially in the equatorial region

Climate change Threaten to cultivate food crops, especially in the equatorial region, shows a recent study in which professor of Aalto University Matti Kummu The international team of researchers led looked at the growth conditions of 30 food crops.

The negative effects of climate change are clearly focused on the equatorial region, ie tropical and subtropic regions, such as the Saharan Africa and India, says that published in Nature Food. research article Editor, doctoral dissertation researcher Sara Heikonen Aalto University.

Heikonen points out in the announcement that in these areas, climate conditions make living conditions in many ways.

“In addition, population growth is rapid, and there is not enough food everywhere today.”

Warming up to two degrees would reduce the range of crops more than half of the world.

“If warming is 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, the effects will remain in many places control over. On the other hand, an increase of 3-4 degrees is changing the situation greatly, and in the most vulnerable areas, the effects can be very serious. ”

Saharan According to Heikonen, almost all crops in South Africa are in danger if warming exceeds 3 degrees. According to Heikonen, the decline in diversity will weaken food security.

“If we want to secure our future food systems, both climate change mitigation and adaptation,” says Heikonen.

According to researchers, this requires both local means and international support, such as trade agreements and funding for adaptation.

In cooler According to the study, areas such as Northern Europe, such as in Northern Europe, may improve.

“For example, corn and legumes could succeed in Finland better,” says Heikonen.

Professor Matti Kummu points out in the release that the study did not take into account all factors, such as possible new pests or an increase in extreme weather events.

“So the situation may not be as positive as it may be,” Kummu says.