A group of agriculture and climate scientists says, while we face many challenges from climate change, there are solutions that can save us from a dwindling food supply.
Scientists agree that climate change is having, and will continue to have, a big impact on our food supply, everything from crops to livestock to fisheries.
But three experts on Monday held a media briefing to talk about ways out of the growing problem.
Dr. Mario Herrero of Cornell University says climate change is not only bringing about drought and heat, but also creates other problems we might not think about for livestock, like pests.
“What we see is in some places that did not have ticks, now as they get warmer, they start having ticks and that creates an impact of additional diseases that famers had never been exposed to having to deal with,” he said.
But, the scientists, like Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig of Columbia University, say good practices, some already being done, can help turn things around.
"Increasing efficiency of crop production and we’re very good at that," she said. Heat and drought tolerant crops and livestock, improved use of agricultural diversity”.
Still, all of those on the panel said there are concerns climate change will have the biggest food impact on developing countries, and that, even with changes, food prices could continue to rise.
The briefing was sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.