EarthTalk®
What is the link between climate-fueled weather extremes and the skyrocketing cost of many foods?
Over the past five years, food prices have increased drastically across the globe. The U.S. alone has seen a 35 percent increase in food costs since 2020. There are many reasons for this, including conflict, greater demand and COVID. Climate-fueled weather extremes have also increased food costs. As climate disasters increase, food systems, especially those serving the poor, are left vulnerable. Many food price spikes across over 18 countries can also be linked to weather disasters like heatwaves and floods. And recent droughts have also caused the price of crop staples to increase worldwide.
Over the past five years, food prices have increased drastically across the globe. The U.S. alone has seen a 35 percent increase in food costs since 2020. There are many reasons for this, including conflict, greater demand and COVID. Climate-fueled weather extremes have also increased food costs. As climate disasters increase, food systems, especially those serving the poor, are left vulnerable. Many food price spikes across over 18 countries can also be linked to weather disasters like heatwaves and floods. And recent droughts have also caused the price of crop staples to increase worldwide.
Over the past five years, food prices have increased drastically across the globe. The U.S. alone has seen a 35 percent increase in food costs since 2020. There are many reasons for this, including conflict, greater demand and COVID. Climate-fueled weather extremes have also increased food costs. As climate disasters increase, food systems, especially those serving the poor, are left vulnerable. Many food price spikes across over 18 countries can also be linked to weather disasters like heatwaves and floods. And recent droughts have also caused the price of crop staples to increase worldwide.
Over the past five years, food prices have increased drastically across the globe. The U.S. alone has seen a 35 percent increase in food costs since 2020. There are many reasons for this, including conflict, greater demand and COVID. Climate-fueled weather extremes have also increased food costs. As climate disasters increase, food systems, especially those serving the poor, are left vulnerable. Many food price spikes across over 18 countries can also be linked to weather disasters like heatwaves and floods. And recent droughts have also caused the price of crop staples to increase worldwide.
Weather and climate shocks are only increasing; researchers calculate that they will cause food prices to increase by .3 percentage points annually in the next 10 years. The rise in inflation serves as a wake-up call to the necessity of sustainably produced food and limiting climate stressors.
CONTACT: Extreme weather is fueling higher food prices around the world, ehn.org/extreme-weather-is-fueling-higher-food-prices-around-the-world
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