Increased temperatures caused by climate change have an impact on agriculture and the availability of high-demand items including coffee, chocolate, honey, avocados, wine, seafoods, strawberries, and bananas. These foods are currently in danger of going extinct in the near future. These foods, which make up the majority of our daily diet, are probably on the verge of extinction if climate change continues its current course.

If climate change isn't prevented, the following foods will probably go extinct:

• Coffee- Similar to other food production, coffee bean farming is impacted by rising climate change. The production of coffee beans is affected by the rise in greenhouse gases, pollution, and sea levels. The delicate plant that produces coffee beans requires a specific climate in order to thrive. Insect populations will rise as the climate continues to change and temperatures rise. Insects eat coffee beans and deplete soil fertility.

• Chocolate- The cacao tree grows close to the equator and flourishes in humid rainforests with regular rainfall and warm temperatures. According to studies, the local temperature is predicted to rise by 3.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 degrees Celsius) by the year 2050. Increased evapotranspiration, which is the process by which water evaporates from leaves during photosynthesis, has an impact on cacao production even though rising temperatures won't directly harm cocoa production. The increase in rainfall, which is required to balance the quantity of moisture in the atmosphere for cocoa trees to flourish, is not anticipated to offset the rise in temperatures. This will unavoidably have an effect on cacao's ability to be produced sustainably and its appeal to growers.

• Honey- The decrease in bee populations is a result of rising temperature, just like with many other foods. Bees may not be directly harmed by heat, but parasites and mites that thrive in heat have been discovered to kill bees more quickly. Without honeybees, the available supply of honey will decline, pushing up market prices. Plant flowers to aid in pollination and help the bees!

4. Avocados

Extreme heat and floods that damage the soil's texture are having a severe negative impact on the production of avocados in Mexico. Deforestation has been influenced by the drive to meet American demand for avocados, endangering the climate issue. Similar hot and dry conditions are impacting avocado plantations in California. According to a 2017 University of California study, climatic changes would cause the avocado population to decrease by 50% by 2050. Compared to other fruits, avocado crops are dropping due to weather changes more quickly.

5. Wine

Wine grapes have similar cultivation requirements to coffee and cocoa beans. The grape vines that fight to grow in hard soils, with little access to water, and at temperatures between 77 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit are thought to produce the best wine (25 to 32 degrees Celsius). The quality of some grape species is also being impacted by temperature increases. Due to grapevines' sensitivity to temperature and seasonal variations happens. Although the heat may not be enough to wipe out grapes, it may change how wine tastes. Warmer temperatures promote the faster ripening of grapes, which gives them a sweeter flavor and less acidity. Farmers will find it difficult to harvest grapes at the perfect time for the finest quality and flavor due to climate change.

6. Seafood

Due to water pollution, high water temperatures, and ocean acidification, marine life is one of the most impacted by climate change. By 2050, the seafood catch in tropical areas is projected to fall by 40%, although other species are anticipated to expand in cooler waters. Climate change has had a significant impact on freshwater fish, with a third of them in danger of extinction.

7. Strawberries

The three flowering periods for strawberries are in spring, summer, and fall. Strawberries' flowering has been delayed in recent decades by high temperatures, which has reduced productivity and led to a shortage of fruit. Water is essential for the growth and ripening of strawberries. More water evaporates as a result of warmer weather, further limiting the resources needed to produce strawberries properly. Due to the fruit shortages, prices have increased and the quantity in grocery stores has decreased.

8. Bananas

Crop production is increasing in nations like Ecuador and Honduras as the climate issue causes temperatures to rise around the globe. The Panama and Black Sigatoka disease, a fungus that causes the plant to die from dehydration, has recently posed a danger to banana crop production. Given that agricultural diseases like the Sigatoka thrive in warm climates, climate change may increase the risk of these diseases. Although the illness may not completely eradicate the banana population, it will have a significant impact on the countries fighting it and the world's supply of bananas.

The production and supply of our food are significantly impacted by the current condition of human-caused climate change. Among the many foods that are going extinct are those mentioned above as well as peanuts, maple syrup, wheat, rice, and soybeans. The high demand from nations like the United States and the incapacity of the producing nations to supply crops under such climatic conditions are further factors contributing to the shortages of some of the items mentioned. As soon as 2050, farmers, markets, and consumers are predicted to face agricultural issues as a result of predicted climatic changes. Such negative consequences will have an influence on both crop cultivation and the desired level of quality for consumers. Our food supply and health will suffer if we do not make moral judgments to reduce our carbon footprint and combat climate change.

DMO II-ZS, Karla P. Calapardo,RND

Reference:

https://topicinsights.com/sustainability/foods-going-extinct-due-to-climate-chang