A new study published in the journal Science states that rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere aren't just affecting climate, but could affect the nutrition contained in the world's food crops too. Scientists at the University of California, Davis found that increased CO2 could reduce the protein content of crop plants by as much as 20 percent.
This slash in nutritional value happens because higher concentrations of CO2 interfere with a plant's ability to convert nitrates into proteins, which leads to a less protein-rich food.
The scientists tested two common forms of soil nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) with wheat plants that were exposed to elevated CO2 and the plants had reduced abilities to produce proteins. This suggests new fertilizers will have to be developed to counteract this response, and soon, as the researchers see this 20 percent decline happening in the coming decades.
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written by Ellen, May 20, 2010
In past epochs CO2 levels were very much higher than today. The additional CO2 provides extra carbon for plants which respond by increasing their mass. The Carboniferous and Permian coal deposits which we mine today are a result of the massive vegetation which covered the earth at that time. The masses of vegetation were a direct result of very high CO2 levels in the atmosphere - hundreds of times higher than today.
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written by kensingtongreen, May 20, 2010
This is very interesting. It would be very unfortunate considering the number of people experiencing famine. Besides, higher concentration of CO2 usually comes with pollution, which will further reduce the output of crops. It's a pity so little is being said about pollution in general.
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written by Brent, May 21, 2010
While this is a disturbing idea, what is more disturbing is that overall, the nutritional value of pretty much all of the food produced by our industrial monoculture and factory processed systems has already declined by more than 20% in the last 50 years or so. No one talks about that.
It's counter intuitive, but that is the reason why obesity rates are skyrocketing. People are eating more because their bodies are actually malnourished. Cravings are our body's way of telling us what we need nutritionally. The food we eat to satisfy those cravings doesn't provide the nutrients our body actually needs because its not really food. So we eat more... and so on.
The answer is small-scale polycultural ecosystem based agriculture, also known as Permaculture. I know, not very EcoGeek. And don't tell me that small-scale agriculture can't feed the world, because it already does! About 70% of the food produced for human consumption on this planet comes from small scale agricultural operations, many of them polycultural. Agribusiness doesn't want you to know this fact.
It's counter intuitive, but that is the reason why obesity rates are skyrocketing. People are eating more because their bodies are actually malnourished. Cravings are our body's way of telling us what we need nutritionally. The food we eat to satisfy those cravings doesn't provide the nutrients our body actually needs because its not really food. So we eat more... and so on.
The answer is small-scale polycultural ecosystem based agriculture, also known as Permaculture. I know, not very EcoGeek. And don't tell me that small-scale agriculture can't feed the world, because it already does! About 70% of the food produced for human consumption on this planet comes from small scale agricultural operations, many of them polycultural. Agribusiness doesn't want you to know this fact.
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written by Tom Savage, May 27, 2010
It actually makes sense. If proven true, this is going to be a real cause of concern considering CO2 stays in the atmosphere for approximately 100 years. I hope that someone steps up the the plate and develops the fertilizer needed to counter the effects.
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written by josh, May 27, 2010
"This suggests new fertilizers will have to be developed to counteract this response..."
That's right- Lets fix one problem with another. Plus you failed to mention that most of our fertilizers are inorganic and derived from OIL!
That's right- Lets fix one problem with another. Plus you failed to mention that most of our fertilizers are inorganic and derived from OIL!
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written by ppnl, June 28, 2010
Jeez guys....
1)Comparing co2 levels now to what it was millions of years ago is silly. We don't live millions of years ago. Go back far enough and we couldn't even breath the air. And go back far enough and the sun was not as bright. Things were different then. That does not mean it is a good idea to recreate those conditions now.
2)Someone needs to source that comment about the decline of the nutritional content over the last 50 years. There are many problems with monoculture agriculture but I don't think this is one of them.
3)The comment about fertilizer being inorganic and being made of oil is truly funny. Oil is as organic as it gets.
1)Comparing co2 levels now to what it was millions of years ago is silly. We don't live millions of years ago. Go back far enough and we couldn't even breath the air. And go back far enough and the sun was not as bright. Things were different then. That does not mean it is a good idea to recreate those conditions now.
2)Someone needs to source that comment about the decline of the nutritional content over the last 50 years. There are many problems with monoculture agriculture but I don't think this is one of them.
3)The comment about fertilizer being inorganic and being made of oil is truly funny. Oil is as organic as it gets.
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written by Mörtel, February 06, 2013
It's counter intuitive, but that is the reason why obesity rates are skyrocketing. People are eating more because their bodies are actually malnourished. Cravings are our body's way of telling us what we need nutritionally. The food we eat to satisfy those cravings doesn't provide the nutrients our body actually needs because its not really food. So we eat more... and so on.
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