Global warming and the economics of plant nutrition

Climate change denialists are fond of pointing out that rising CO2 levels will mean that plant life will flourish, since plants “breathe” carbon dioxide. And it’s true that, up to a point, plants do grow faster with higher CO2 levels. But those plants have less nutritional value for the animals that depend on them for nutrition.

“Research has already shown that climate change is causing nutrient dilution in human food crops. Declines in micronutrients, which play important roles in growth and health, are a particular concern: Long-term records of crop nutritional values have revealed declines in copper, magnesium, iron and zinc. 

 

“In particular, human deficiencies in iron, zinc and protein are expected to increase in the coming decades because of rising carbon dioxide levels. These declines are expected to have broad impacts on human health and even survival, with the strongest effects among populations that are highly dependent on rice and wheat, such as in East and Central Asia.”

And humans aren’t the only animals that depend on plants.

“Plant-eating animals may need more time to find and consume food if their usual meal becomes less nutritious, exposing themselves to greater risks from predators and other stresses in the process. Reduced nutritional values can also make animals less fit, reducing their ability to grow, reproduce and survive.”

While you may or may not care about the fate of wild animals, livestock used by humans will also feel the dietary effects of global warming:

“The nutritional value of livestock feed is also declining. Cattle spend a lot of time eating and often have a hard time finding enough protein to meet their needs. Protein concentrations are falling in grasses across rangelands around the world. This trend threatens both livestock and ranchers, reducing animals’ weight gains and costing producers money.”

These effects of global warming aren’t as obvious as rising sea levels, declining polar ice and increased forest fires, but they are just as real and consequential to humanity.

https://www.juancole.com/2024/12/climate-nutritious-%E2%88%92.html

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