Could climate change lead to bland, tasteless food? New research suggests shifting rainfall patterns, climate change-related diseases, and warmer oceans could have a significant impact on the quality of Australia's food.
Some of these impacts could be flavorless vegetables, bad pizza dough, and low quality meat, the University of Melbourne reported. The researchers found the phenomenon could also cause certain food items to spike in price.
"It's definitely a [wakeup] call when you hear that the toast and raspberry jam you have for breakfast, for example, might not be as readily available in 50 [years' time]," said Associate Professor Richard Eckard from the University of Melbourne. "Or that there may be changes to the cost and taste of food items we love and take for granted like avocado and vegemite, spaghetti bolognaise and even beer, wine and chocolate."
The researchers believed increased heat waves and bushfires will pose an enormous threat to Australia's agricultural regions.Dairy foods are predicted to be affected by warmer temperatures because of the stress heat imposes on cows, reducing milk yield by between 10 and 25 percent. Increased heat stress could also prompt farmers to choose cattle breeds that are more heat tolerant, but are of a lower meat quality. Chickens are also sensitive to heat stress, and higher temperatures could degrade the quality of their meat. Warmer ocean waters are predicted to take a toll on seafood, especially shellfish.
High heat conditions have been shown to significantly impact the flavor and texture of carrots and can make potatoes rot more quickly. Fruit trees and nuts will be influenced by warmer winter conditions, causing a decrease in production.
"If we don't tackle this issue head on and make the move to renewable energy while committing to a stronger target to cut carbon pollution, Australia is on track to import more fruit and vegetables than we export by the end of the century," said Anna Rose, National Manager of Earth Hour Australia and 2015 Australian Geographic Society Conservationist of the Year. "This will result in higher food prices and poorer food quality, undermining our farmers' livelihoods and the viability of our rural communities."
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