Banana farmers in southern India were forced to harvest their crops by boat after heavy rains caused massive flooding, according to Reuters. New Indian Express.
What is happening?
After devastating monsoon rains, water levels in some areas reached 4 feet and were expected to rise to 8 feet, according to Express.
Fearing their banana crops would be destroyed by the water, farmers in the area had no choice but to use floating vessels to salvage what they could.
While government officials explained that the area served as a natural water catchment, farmers said there was a need to construct a drainage canal to prevent such floods.
Why is it important?
Heavy monsoon rains and resulting floods are just one example of the devastating impact extreme weather can have on crops, putting food supplies and livelihoods at risk.
As average global temperatures continue to rise, extreme weather events are becoming more extreme and more destructive. When such events destroy food crops, it not only puts local economies at risk, but can also cause food prices to rise beyond the reach of the disaster.
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According to one He studiesRising global temperatures could reduce crop productivity by a staggering 24% by 2100.
“When global production declines, consumers are hurt by higher prices and it becomes more difficult to access food and feed our families,” said Solomon Hsiang, the study’s senior author. Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
He added: “If the climate warms by 3 degrees, it would basically mean that every person on the planet would give up breakfast.”
What is going on about it?
Developing new agricultural techniques and adapting to a changing climate can help slow the decline in crop productivity. However, to truly address the situation, humans must significantly reduce the amount of pollution entering the atmosphere.
To do this, the global economy needs to shift away from burning dirtier extractive fuels like coal and natural gas and toward cleaner renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
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