The environmental conditions and contamination generated by humans are causing staple foods are in serious danger of extinction. What seems unimaginable is already a fact: many of the foods we consume every day face significant risks in their production, from extreme drought to overexploitation of resources. Fortunately, we still have time to stop this alarming trend.
In this article we present some of the Major foods in danger of extinction, we explain the keys that explain this dangerous reality and what you can do to help preserve it.
Foods in danger of extinction
According to various studies and environmental organizations, foods that are in danger of extinction are, surprisingly, the most common in our diets. The combination of climate change, poor agricultural practices, and overexploitation of resources is reducing the availability of essential foods. We analyze some of these endangered foods below.
Chocolate
The chocolate, one of the most consumed and loved delicacies in the world, faces a serious threat. Ghana and Ivory Coast are the main producers of cocoa, responsible for the 53% of the world's supply. However, climate change is causing temperatures to rise in these regions, which could make cocoa growing areas unsuitable for production in the coming decades. In fact, by 2050, it is estimated that most plantations in West Africa will be too warm for successful cocoa cultivation.
In addition to drought, pests, diseases and overexploitation of land to meet global demand are contributing to the decline in areas suitable for cocoa cultivation. In countries such as the Ivory Coast, more than 100% of the total area has been lost. 80% of the forests in the last 50 years due to the massive expansion of cocoa cultivation.
Rice
Globally, rice is the staple food for more than half of the population, and yet it is at serious risk. high water demand for its production in combination with climates increasingly dry and a higher frequency of heat waves The effects of climate change are severely affecting the crop. Producing areas such as Southeast Asia are facing yield problems, and it is estimated that global rice production could reach 1000 million tons. drastically decrease in the next years.
Purple Potato
Extremely rich in antioxidants, this variety of potato originating in Peru is in danger of extinction. More than 70 years ago, its cultivation was common, but today its presence in markets and on tables is minimal. Most of the purple potatoes that survive depend on small farmers in the Andean areas, who fight against the effects of drought and soil erosion. In Peru, for example, it is estimated that there are more than 4.000 varieties of potatoes, many of which are at risk due to the loss of agricultural biodiversity caused by mass industrial production.
Its disappearance would not only affect biodiversity, but would also deprive the population of a nutritious and culturally significant food.
Bluefin tuna
Bluefin tuna, a species highly valued in gastronomy, especially in Japanese cuisine, faces an uncertain future. Over the past five decades, tuna stocks in the European Atlantic have declined by 1.5% 90%, And a 50% in the Mediterranean. This is mainly due to overfishing, which has brought this species to the brink of collapse. Today, conservation initiatives, such as increased regulation and control over fishing quotas, are essential to prevent its extinction.
Café
El coffee is another iconic food that is in danger of extinction. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in the United Kingdom conducted an alarming study on this crop, revealing that of the 124 varieties known, at least the 75% is threatenedThreats arise mainly from the need for specific climatic conditions that are becoming increasingly difficult to meet due to climate change. High temperatures and extreme conditions, such as severe droughts or heavy rainfall, are significantly reducing the quality and quantity of coffee beans.
It is estimated that more than 80% of the crop land coffee plantations in Central America and Brazil will be unusable by 2050 due to the effects of climate change. Going further, other reports such as that of the Australian Climatology Institute warn that by 2080 coffee as we know it could disappear completely.
Honey
This essential product is in danger due to the global collapse of bees, which play a vital role in pollination and therefore in the production of many crops. The decline in bee populations is occurring at an alarming rate due to exposure to pesticides, habitat loss and, again, climate change. According to FAO studies, the 90% of flowering plants of the world depend on pollinators like bees. If bees disappear, not only the honey production would be affected, as would fruits, vegetables and crops that are part of our daily diet.
Losses in honey production are already being seen in countries such as the United States and Spain, where beekeepers are reporting annual losses of 50% of their bee colonies.
foal meat
Since 1997, the Hispano-Breton foal, bred for meat production, has been classified as an endangered species. This is a culinary delicacy especially valued in Spain, but every year it is less viable due to the decline in extensive farming systems. The extensive farming system, where animals are raised in freedom in large areas without constant human intervention, is losing ground to industrial production practices, which puts this native meat at risk.
Beer
Another staple in many people's diets is beer, and it is also at risk. barley, one of the main ingredients for brewing beer, requires relatively cool temperatures and plenty of water. However, the drought The climate change affecting various regions of the world, together with the increase in unforeseen weather events such as storms or intense heat waves, are causing a drop in barley production, which means that some breweries will not be able to meet demand in the coming years.
mussels
The mussels are deeply affected by the ocean acidification. In the Pacific Ocean, the decline in the quality of their shells due to the reduction of pH in the waters is reducing the production of quality mussels. This phenomenon also affects other marine species, such as oysters and shrimp, which depend on their shells to survive. Acidification is directly related to the CO2 emissions, which increase the absorption of carbon dioxide in the oceans.
roteño tomato
El tomato from Rota, a traditional variety grown in Cadiz, is on the verge of extinction. This is mainly due to increased construction in the region, which has destroyed many orchards where these tomatoes have been grown for generations. In addition to the loss of farmland, the competition with industrial varieties less tasty but more resistant has caused this tomato to largely disappear from the market.
The preservation of traditional crops such as the Rota tomato is not only important from the point of view of agricultural biodiversity, but also to protect the cultural and gastronomic roots of specific regions.
Why are some foods in danger of extinction?
Effects of drought
The effects of drought are seriously affecting the countryside in regions such as Spain. Crops such as wheat, barley, oats and many other dryland cereals have suffered almost total losses in many of the main growing areas. Even more drought-resistant crops, such as olive groves, are also being negatively affected. loss of service productivity of these crops could have devastating effects on global food security.
Around the world, traditionally agricultural regions are facing major challenges from changing weather patterns, which threaten not only food production but also food diversity.
Effects of climate change
El climate change has a direct impact on the global production of essential foods. Products such as coffee, cocoa, rice and others are experiencing the consequences of phenomena associated with climate change, such as increases in temperature and variability in rainfall. Countries with economies heavily dependent on these crops, such as Brazil or Vietnam, are experiencing a decline in harvests due to unfavorable weather conditions.
In addition, pollinators, particularly bees, are suffering huge losses due to climate change. One third of the human nutrition It directly depends on pollinators, so its decline will have serious repercussions on agricultural production.
Decrease in biodiversity
The current food system has favored mass production of a few more efficient species, leading to widespread decline in biodiversity. This means that we are producing more food, but in a less variety. A clear example of this is the case of banana, where the Cavendish variety has replaced almost all the others. This lack of genetic diversity makes crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases. A fungus, known as the Panama disease, is severely affecting the Cavendish, posing a serious threat to the global supply of bananas.
Overexploitation of natural resources
La overexploitation The depletion of natural resources such as water and soil, as well as intensive fishing, are decisive factors behind the threat to food. Overfishing is pushing many marine species, such as cod and bluefin tuna, to the brink of collapse. Illegal fishing adds an additional problem, making it almost impossible for species to recover. In addition, overexploitation of agricultural land has contributed to soil degradation, which in turn reduces the capacity of fields to produce food.
To meet these challenges, it is crucial to adopt sustainable consumption practices, support small farmers and opt for local and seasonal products. Only in this way can we reverse this alarming trend.
So, while the outlook may seem bleak, there are still ways to help safeguard these crucial foods. By supporting local businesses, reducing food waste and taking action to combat climate change, we can make a difference.