Global warming could reduce the diversity of crops worldwide. A new study has warned that if global temperatures rise more than 1.5°C, significant crop diversity could be lost in many regions, threatening global food security. Researchers estimate that nearly one-third of global food production could be at risk due to rising temperatures.
Scientists from Aalto University in Finland have published research in Nature Food analyzing how changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and drought will affect the growth of 30 major food crops across the world. The findings suggest that low-latitude regions, especially large parts of tropical countries, are likely to be the most affected. Rising temperatures may render much land in these regions unsuitable for agriculture, drastically reducing crop diversity. According to lead researcher Sara Hekonen, the loss of diversity could significantly shrink the range of food crops available for cultivation in some regions. This could decrease food security and make it harder for people to get enough calories and protein.
These changing conditions may affect up to half of the world’s current food crop production. Major staples like rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans could face large reductions in arable land. This would increase challenges for people who rely on these crops for daily nutrition. Many other crops, including tropical grains, pulses, and root crops, are also at risk. In low-income regions, root crops like sweet potatoes are vital for food security. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to be hit the hardest.
If global temperatures increase by more than 3°C, about three-quarters of current food production in these countries may be at risk. The impact of global warming will not be the same everywhere. The study reveals a stark contrast between low-latitude and mid-to-high-latitude regions (those with tropical and temperate climates). Countries closer to the equator may suffer major crop and diversity losses, while colder countries may be able to maintain their overall production levels.
Scientists also suggest that moderate to high-latitude regions might see increased crop production in a warming world. However, senior study author Matti Kummu warns that favorable climate changes do not guarantee higher yields. While some areas might benefit, rising temperatures could also lead to new pests and extreme weather events.
Alongside rising temperatures, social and economic pressures are already challenging food-insecure countries, especially in Africa. Many low-latitude regions, particularly in Africa, already produce less than other parts of the world. These countries can increase output by improving access to fertilizers and irrigation and by reducing food loss through better production and storage systems. However, global warming introduces more uncertainty into these projections, necessitating greater action—such as choosing climate-resilient crops and adopting new breeding techniques. While studying and modeling are relatively simple, understanding how to implement change is the hardest part.
The report recommends that policymakers in low-latitude countries explore ways to bridge gaps in agricultural infrastructure and prepare for increasingly adverse conditions. Without such efforts, already vulnerable communities facing food shortages may experience further hardship in the near future. To protect the world’s food crops, farmers and policymakers in mid-to-high-latitude regions must remain flexible. While rising temperatures may open doors to new crops, changes in global demand and markets may also force adjustments in farming practices.
To cope with new conditions, farmers can experiment with different crop varieties, adjust planting seasons, and invest in infrastructure to handle heat and pests.
According to researchers, if we want to secure our food systems in the future, we must both mitigate climate change and adapt to its consequences. Even though equatorial regions are experiencing the most significant changes, everyone will feel the effects through the global food system. This interconnectedness means that crop failures in one part of the world can disrupt supply chains everywhere, affecting food prices and availability globally.
The study emphasizes the need to reduce climate change, but also stresses the importance of strong planning to deal with hotter, more volatile conditions.
Global warming is steadily raising the Earth’s average temperature, and its impact is being felt sharply in our country. Excessive emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are trapping heat in the atmosphere, leading to longer periods of heatwaves. The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, and experts believe 2025 will continue this trend.
The increasing temperatures and intense heatwaves are having severe effects not just on human health, but also on agriculture, the economy, and the environment. According to research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), if this temperature rise continues, wheat production in India could decline by 6% to 23% by 2050. The impact of heatwaves is not limited to farms. In labor-intensive countries like India, they reduce worker productivity, increase electricity demand, disrupt industrial output, and ultimately affect personal income and the national economy.
At the same time, changing climate patterns are disrupting ecosystems, threatening biodiversity. Air pollution, rampant tree cutting, and a lack of green spaces are worsening this crisis. The “urban heat island effect” is intensifying heat in cities, degrading air quality, and increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
All of these events clearly show that climate change is not a future problem—it is a current, urgent challenge that requires immediate policy action. Since the late 20th century, average global temperatures have risen by about 1.1°C, and these figures are reaching new highs every year. Heatwaves are no longer just seasonal phenomena—they have become deadly disasters that have harmed the health of millions and claimed thousands of lives. According to data, between March 1, 2023, and July 25, 2024, a total of 67,637 people were hospitalized due to heatwaves across 36 Indian states, with 374 deaths reported.
As threats like extreme heat and heatwaves become more common due to climate change, it is essential to accept these as disasters and develop effective plans to deal with them. These challenges are not just affecting people’s lives—they are creating long-term crises in agriculture, water, health, and social structures. State governments must take climate crises seriously, declare them as disasters, and implement emergency relief plans. To combat climate change, governments must ensure local participation. Only active community engagement in climate-resilient initiatives in both rural and urban areas will yield long-lasting results. For this, cooperation among gram panchayats, municipalities, and city corporations must be strengthened.
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Vikas Meshram is a journalist
