The projected rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the coming decades may diminish the nutritional value of staple crops, putting the health of more than 100 million of the world’s most vulnerable people at risk. Samuel Myers, principal research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and colleagues found that the dietary protein, iron, and zinc in wheat, rice, and other crops is likely to decline by 2050 and cause a significant impact on human health.
He spoke about their findings in an interview with the public radio program Living on Earth that aired October 6, 2017.
To prevent micronutrient deficiencies on a mass scale in the developing world—which could lead to a rise in deaths from infectious diseases and greater maternal and infant mortality—Myers stressed that there is an urgent need to lower CO2 emissions. Other recommendations for helping vulnerable nations include developing crops that are nutrient-enriched or that are less sensitive to the effects of CO2 exposure, and finding ways to increase dietary diversity, Myers said.
Listen to Living on Earth interview: Global warming threatens nutrition
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Millions may face protein deficiency as a result of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions (Harvard Chan School news)
Human-wrought environmental changes impacting crops and pollinators could harm health of millions (Harvard Chan School news)