‘Borrowed time’: crop pests and food losses supercharged by climate crisis
Heating means pests breeding and spreading faster, warn scientists, with simplified current food system already vulnerable
TL;DR
- Climate change is accelerating crop pest destruction, leading to projected increases in losses for wheat (46%), rice (19%), and maize (31%) at 2C global heating.
- Warmer temperatures allow pests to develop faster, produce more generations annually, and extend their attack periods as winters shorten.
- Pests are invading previously unsuitable regions due to rising temperatures and expanding farmlands.
- The destruction of natural habitats and overuse of pesticides/fertilizers cripple natural pest predators, while monocultures increase vulnerability.
- Diversifying crops, integrating crop and animal farming, restoring natural habitats, and utilizing AI are suggested strategies for resilience.