As bad as it sounds, some of our favorite foods might vanish in 50 years. The reason? We have climate change to blame for that. It’s a fact that it’s been reshaping our planet in dangerous ways, and our food system is one of them. Many foods that we take for granted might not reach the tables of future generations. Everything points to the blurry relationship between climate change and agriculture. Today, we’re bringing you 9 foods at risk of disappearing in 50 years due to climate change.
9. Oysters
Coming in the list is everyone’s favorite special, which is oysters. Sadly, they are among the shellfish that will be victims of ocean acidification. It means that as the ocean absorbs more CO2, the pH level drops, which makes it acidic. This makes it difficult for oysters to build shells made of calcium carbonate.
8. Wheat
Don’t take for granted the slice of toast you have this morning, as wheat is at the front line of the climate crisis. In case you don’t know, wheat is sensitive to heat, so every degree Celsius increase in temperature counts. Also, prolonged droughts are destroying wheat harvests from around the world, and scientists are trying to develop heat and drought-resistant varieties.
7. Almonds and Pistachios
Water is the reason why those handful of almonds on your desk exist. However, California, which is responsible for 80% of the world’s almonds, is in perpetual water crisis. Both almond and pistachio trees are thirsty, consuming 10% of the state’s agricultural water supply. With this, scientists are “torturing” the trees by subjecting them to drought to be able to breed resilient varieties. But with the state’s water resources, the future is far from certain.
6. Salmon
There’s no guarantee that the next generation of your family will be able to have a beautiful piece of grilled salmon. Why? They’re sensitive to water temperature, and as rivers and oceans get warmer, it makes it hard for them to survive. The problem is that bad that NOAA’s 2024 ocean indicator ruled juvenile salmon to be in poor to moderate conditions.
5. Rice
Rice-producing regions of the Mekong in Vietnam, the Ganges in Bangladesh, and the Nile in Egypt are slowly sinking. Why? Sea water levels rise as the saltwater is getting further inland, which contaminates the rice paddies that depend on it. With this, rice is at risk of vanishing in a few years’ time unless there’s a solution in terms of prevention and supply.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate came from cacao, which is a tree at risk. They need high humidity and rainfall to thrive. The rising temperatures and droughts destroy the harvest. In 2024 alone, the global cacao tree harvest was at an alarming 13% lower than the previous year. Sadly, the Ivory Coast and Ghana, which produce over half of the world’s cocoa, were hit hard by both the weather and the deadly Cocoa Swollen Stem Virus that spreads in warmer and humid surroundings.
3. Bananas
Bananas are facing a major threat right now. First, the Panama disease is affecting bananas, which is a fungus wiping out plantations for decades. TR4 is a recent, aggressive strain that resists fungicides and has also spread from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The bigger threat, however, is climate change, which rising temperatures breed Black Leaf Streak that reduces banana yields up to 80%. With all of these storming diseases, it’s hard to see banana’s future as of now.
2. Corn
Corn is probably one of the most versatile foods out there. However, corn is facing a major threat as it’s vulnerable to heat, especially in the pollination phase. High temperatures may cause the plant to abort seeds, resulting in massive losses. The U.S. Corn Belt, which is the world’s most productive agricultural region, is at the center of the crisis. The loss of it has negative effects on livestock and the prices of gallons of milk. If no solution is found by then, then we’ll be facing a bigger crisis that we’re not prepared for.
1. Coffee
Arabica is the world’s most popular coffee bean, and it’s facing a crisis caused by climate change. A 2024 study from Anthropocene Magazine found that the area that’s suitable for growing Arabica may be cut in half by 2050, with experts predicting an 80% decline. Brazil, which is the world’s largest coffee producer, is also hit by drought and frost. Also, an unwanted fungus called Coffee leaf rust is also developing in humid climates. The future of coffee is not looking good.