Scientists warn the world's food systems are 'failing us' as emissions speed up climate change and put crops at greater risk from extreme weather

Scientists have detailed what they hope is a ‘wake-up call’ to world leaders on the possibility of a global food crisis in the face of climate change.

A new report penned by 130 national academies warns that the food supply is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather by driving the conditions that will make such events even worse in the future.

At the same time, humanity continues to fall short of nutrition targets around the world, with the number of undernourished people steadily on the rise.

The new report comes just days ahead of COP24 – the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Between agriculture, forestry, and land-use change, the researchers say the global food industry accounts for 20 to 25 percent of emissions each year.

And, that’s not including food transport and other energy-intensive processes.

"Our food systems are failing us," says Professor Joachim von Braun, co-chair of the IAP project on Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture.

‘It’s not only the environment that is at stake, but health, nutrition, trade, jobs, and the economy. Agriculture and consumer choices are major factors driving disastrous climate change.

We need a robust and ambitious policy response to address the climate impacts of agriculture and consumer choices – and scientists have a major role to play. 

“Our new report is a wake-up call to leaders.”


The researchers are urging world leaders to shift toward climate-smart systems.

And, they’re calling on the public to make changes, too.

The team says it’s critical that we improve diets for public health overall, and for the environment, as demand for high-calorie food sources continues to rise.

Reducing meat consumption would benefit both public health and the climate.