Climate change is not a distant threat – it’s impacting our food supply today. Up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food systems.1
As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, many of our favorite foods face an uncertain future. Crops are struggling to adapt to new climate realities like droughts, floods, and extreme heat.
Here are the 15 foods that could disappear due to climate change.
1. Chocolate
Chocoholics, brace yourselves. Cacao plants, which are used to make chocolate, are highly sensitive to temperature changes. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, suitable regions for cacao cultivation are expected to shrink dramatically.
Studies predict that by 2050, the amount of land suitable for growing cacao could be reduced significantly. This means that chocolate could become a rare and expensive luxury in the future.(ref)
The cacao industry is already feeling the effects of climate change. In West Africa, which produces over 70% of the world’s cacao, farmers are struggling with declining yields due to drought and heat stress.(ref) Some experts warn that if current trends continue, chocolate production could be decimated within the next 30 years.
2. Coffee
Your morning cup of joe is also under threat from climate change. Coffee plants are notoriously finicky, requiring specific temperature ranges and rainfall patterns to thrive. As global temperatures rise, many traditional coffee-growing regions are becoming less suitable for cultivation.
In addition to direct climate impacts, coffee plants are also facing increased threats from pests and diseases that thrive in warmer conditions. The coffee rust fungus, which can decimate entire plantations, is already spreading to higher elevations as temperatures climb.
3. Bananas
Bananas are one of the world’s most popular fruits, but they’re also one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Banana plants require consistent temperatures and ample water to grow, making them highly sensitive to fluctuations in weather patterns.
Climate models predict that rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns could reduce the global area suitable for banana cultivation. In addition, bananas are threatened by a fungal disease called Panama disease, which is expected to spread more rapidly as the climate warms.
4. Avocados
Avocado trees are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They require a delicate balance of temperature, rainfall, and humidity to produce fruit, and even small changes can disrupt their growth cycle.
In recent years, avocado-growing regions in California and Mexico have been hit by severe droughts, leading to reduced yields and higher prices.(ref) As the climate continues to warm, these challenges are only expected to intensify, potentially making avocados a rare and expensive treat in the future.
5. Wine Grapes
As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, traditional wine-growing regions are becoming less suitable for certain grape varieties. In France, for example, the famous Bordeaux region may no longer be able to produce its signature blends as the climate becomes too hot and dry.
At the same time, warming temperatures are opening up new areas for wine production, such as England and Scandinavia. However, these changes come with challenges, such as increased risk of extreme weather events and new pest pressures. The future of wine will likely be marked by significant shifts in regional production and grape varieties.
6. Maple Syrup
Maple trees require specific weather conditions to produce sap, including cold winters and warm, sunny springs. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more erratic, these conditions are becoming harder to come by.
In the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, where most of the world’s maple syrup is produced, the tapping season is already starting earlier and ending sooner due to warmer winters. Some projections suggest that by 2100, maple syrup production could decline in these regions.(ref)
7. Seafood
Climate change is having a profound impact on the world’s oceans, and that means trouble for seafood lovers. Rising water temperatures, ocean acidification, and changes in ocean circulation patterns are all affecting the distribution and abundance of marine species.
Some of the most popular seafood items, such as salmon, tuna, and shellfish, are particularly vulnerable to these changes. In the North Atlantic, for example, warming waters are causing some fish populations to shift northward, disrupting traditional fishing grounds.
Meanwhile, ocean acidification is making it harder for shellfish to build their shells, putting species like oysters and clams at risk.
8. Potatoes
Potatoes may seem like a hardy crop, but they’re actually quite sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. As the climate warms, potato yields are expected to decline in many regions due to increased heat stress and drought.
In the Andes Mountains of South America, where potatoes have been cultivated for thousands of years, rising temperatures are already forcing farmers to plant at higher elevations.
9. Beans
Beans are a staple food for millions of people around the world, but they’re also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Bean plants are sensitive to both heat and drought stress, which can reduce yields and quality.
In Africa and Latin America, where beans are a critical source of protein for many communities, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are already taking a toll on production.
10. Cherries
Cherries are a delicate fruit that requires specific weather conditions to thrive. In particular, cherry trees need a certain number of “chilling hours” during the winter months to stimulate flowering and fruit development.
As winters become milder due to climate change, many cherry-growing regions are no longer getting enough chilling hours. This can lead to reduced yields, smaller fruit sizes, and even complete crop failures.
11. Rice
Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population, but it’s also one of the crops most vulnerable to climate change. Rice plants require consistent temperatures and ample water to grow, making them highly sensitive to fluctuations in weather patterns.
In Asia, where 90% of the world’s rice is produced, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are already affecting yields. By 2100, rice production in the region could decline by up to 50% due to climate change, putting millions of people at risk of hunger and malnutrition.(ref)
12. Wheat
Wheat is another staple crop that’s facing significant challenges from climate change. While some regions may see increased wheat yields due to warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels, others are expected to experience significant declines.
Global wheat production is projected to decline by up to 1.9% by 2050 due to increased heat stress and drought.(ref)
13. Corn
Corn is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world, but it’s also highly sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. As the climate warms, corn yields are expected to decline in many regions due to increased heat stress and drought.
In Africa, where corn is a staple food for millions of people, production could drop by up to 30% in some regions.(ref)
14. Apples
Apples are another fruit that require specific weather conditions to thrive. In particular, apple trees need a certain number of chilling hours during winter to stimulate flowering and fruit development.
As winters become milder due to climate change, many apple-growing regions are no longer getting enough chilling hours. This can lead to reduced yields, smaller fruit sizes, and even complete crop failures.
15. Almonds
Almonds are a water-intensive crop that’s particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In California, which produces 80% of the world’s almonds, the industry is already feeling the effects of prolonged droughts and rising temperatures.(ref)
As the climate continues to warm, almond production in California is expected to face increasing challenges. Yields could decline due to reduced water availability and increased heat stress. This could have significant implications for global almond supplies and prices.
Climate change is already having a significant impact on our food systems, and the future looks even more challenging. As temperatures rise, rainfall patterns shift and extreme weather events become more frequent, many of our favorite foods are at risk of becoming scarce or even disappearing altogether.
To protect them, we must take urgent action to address the root causes of climate change and build more resilient, sustainable food systems for the future.
Source:
Read Next:
Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
