The extreme weather stemming from climate change might be causing damage to more than just wildlife - a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggests that our food crops are suffering, as well.
The report claims that extreme weather is causing a range of food crops to create more unhealthy chemical compounds linked to health problems for both the people and the livestock that eat them. In particular, crops like wheat and maize are creating such compounds in an attempt to protect themselves from extreme weather patterns.
The compounds created for these protective measures can be harmful to humans and animals if they are consumed over a long period of time.
"Crops are responding to drought conditions and increases in temperature just like humans do when faced with a stressful situation," said Jacqueline McGlade, chief scientist and director of the Division of Early Warning and Assessment at UNEP.
For example, under normal weather conditions, plants absorb nitrates and transform them into amino acids and proteins, which are nutritious for humans and livestock. However, prolonged drought can stunt or inhibit this conversion altogether, leading to an increase in nitrates. Crops susceptible to this accumulation include maize, wheat, barley, soybeans, millet and sorghum.
Diets high in nitrates can inhibit the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen to the body.
In addition, shifting weather patterns are causing increases in aflatoxins, human carcinogens that can increase the risk of liver damage, cancer and blindness. Approximately 4.5 billion people in developing countries are exposed to aflatoxins annually and this number continues to rise.
"We are just beginning to recognize the magnitude of toxin- related issues confronting farmers in developing countries of the tropics and sub-tropics," the report reads. "As warmer climate zones expand towards the poles, countries in more temperate regions are facing new threats."
As far as solutions, scientists suggest the development of crop varieties that can better cope with the extreme weather conditions caused by climate change, which would help to decrease the presence of toxic chemicals in food.
"Research centers with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research are developing seeds that are suitable in various regions that have been hit by climate change," McGlade said.
