4 Out Of 5 India's Most-Loved Foods Will Go Extinct In The Next Few Years Because Of Climate Change

Climate change will not just increase the frequency of natural disasters and temperature, but it will wipe out some of Indians’ most important foods in the next few years. Some crops will become so expensive that most of us are unable to afford, others will go extinct entirely. Now let’s see if yours favorite is on the list.

Chocolate

Many of us love chocolate, but by 2050, climate change might cause the cacao plants to go extinct. Currently, the world chiefly sources its cacao beans from two countries, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Cacao plants are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment, this explains why the trees can only be found in countries close to the equator. The threat to the survival of cacao plants is such that even Mars, a famous confectionery giant, has collaborated with the University of California to help the trees survive.

Without proper measures, we may have to bid goodbye to chocolate in a near future.

Banana

Another victim of climate change is banana. According to a study conducted by the University of Exeter, by 2050, banana might be wiped out in 10 countries. The most threatening environmental conditions are drought and flood. The countries on the list are those in South America, India, the largest producer and consumer of the fruit, Asia, and the Philippines.

Rice

The most horrible lost for Indians is arguably rice. As stated by a report of FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization), climate change will make water and land scarce, which will profoundly impact rice production.

Asia is projected to suffer the most with around 50% of land to grow this crop gone as a result of climate change.

Coffee

Another food is being threatened is coffee. By 2100, it is projected that half of the land for coffee will no longer be arable. In a report, IPCC warns that erosion is happening at a faster rate than ever before and the loss might not be reversible.

According to the journal Science Advances, many common coffee species are being threatened, including Arabica, which translates to around 60% of global production.

The increasing demand for coffee is causing deforestation and the use of fertilizer, which in turn, driving wild coffee plants to the brink of extinction as they need a cool temperature and shade to survive.

Climate change and hotter temperature also facilitate the thriving of agents that cause disease in coffee plants.

We do not need to wait to 2050 to feel the change as impact is already here with us. Reuter reports that by the end of this year, the price of Arabica beans could rise by 25%.

Potatoes

Indians might have to say goodbye to potatoes if climate change happens at this current rate. As sea level and temperature rises, potato farmers are being forced to move to areas at a higher altitude.

Even this is not a long term solution and Rene Gómez, germplasm curator at the International Potato Center, we have around 40 years left with this precious plant before it goes extinct in some regions.

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