AFTER the scorching summer many have just experienced, scientists have already warned that these conditions will inevitably reoccur in the coming years.
In the event of temperatures warming by 2°C above pre-industrial levels, nearly three quarters of the world's food production could face "extreme risks" from heat stress by 2045, affecting 64 countries and accounting for 71% of global food production.
For many, 2022 was a scorcher. For farmers, this year forced them to face water restrictions due to the record droughts that seriously endangered various crops, such as corn, but also fruit.
Before the summer, India had already banned wheat exports, the production of which had dropped due to intense heat waves. In Northern Italy, home to 40% of the country's agricultural production, two thirds of the fruit and vegetable crops had been scorched before the summer had even reached August.
At that time, Italian wheat production had fallen by a third. According to Copernicus, the EU's climate observation service, the old continent saw its hottest summer on record. And we already know, according to scientists' estimates, that such hot conditions will occur again.
We now have a better idea of how food production could be threatened by global warming in the long term. The British firm Verisk Maplecroft recently published forecasting research that estimates that nearly three quarters of the world's food production could face "extreme risks" from heat stress by 2045, affecting over 60 countries. In the case of temperatures warming 2°C above pre-industrial levels, rice, cocoa and tomato crops would be seriously threatened.
The impact would be considerable for countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, whose economies are based, among other things, on rice harvests.
Brazil's economic and agricultural system could also be seriously challenged by global warming and could fall into the extreme risk category within a single generation, according to the study.
And this kind of future would pose a problem of global scale, since the country is the third-largest agricultural producer in the world. Brazilian agriculture is centered around staple foods such as oranges, sugar cane and soybeans. In its forecasts for 2045, the British firm estimates that nine of the ten countries most at risk could be on the African continent, including Ghana, Togo and the Central African Republic.
In Europe, Montenegro, Italy and five other countries of are among the ten destinations where the risk of experiencing such a situation is most heightened.
According to the report, intense heat waves already pose extreme risks to agriculture and food production in 20 countries around the world, including India, Eritrea, Djibouti, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, South Sudan and the Sultanate of Oman.
ETX Studio
Sun Sep 18 2022
Rice production in Vietnam and Thailand could be under serious threat by 2045 if temperatures rise 2 above pre-industrial levels. - ETX Studio
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.