Global warming is often blamed for environmental problems like melting Arctic ice, rising sea levels and warmer temperatures. But now, you can blame it for a lack of variety in your kitchen.
Many foods that you know and love may either begin to run out over the next couple of decades or become a lot more expensive, thanks to increasingly stronger environmental forces that are messing with the planet. And we aren’t talking about weird foods you’ve never heard of, these are things you might eat everyday. In fact, by 2050, your local grocery store might look pretty different from what you’re used to today. Check it out:
Better stock up on these six foods, they might not be around much longer
SeafoodA 2006 study out of Stanford University found humanity can kiss all seafood goodbye as of 2050. Based on current global trends, the authors predict that literally every species of wild-caught seafood will be exhausted within 50 years. The good news is, for species that haven't been heavily fished, recovery can be quick if changes are made soon. But the study's authors add there will be a point of no return for some, like the northern Atlantic cod.
ChocolateBy 2030, chocolate might be a treat reserved for the wealthy elite. Two of the world's biggest chocolate makers (Mars Inc. and Barry Callebaut) warn that the world is already grappling with a chocolate deficit, and say it's only going to get worse. The price of chocolate has nearly doubled since 2005, according to the International Cocoa Organization. The organization also reports that cocoa crops are being hit by a range of disease and pests that are putting losses as high as 30-40 per cent of global production. By 2030, the two companies believe demand could outpace supply by 2 million metric tons. ThinkStock
CoffeeYou might want to find a new drink to wake up to, because Wild Arabica plants could be completely wiped out by 2080. That means there pretty much won't be any coffee left on Earth, since the plant makes up for 70 per cent of the world's supply. At least, that's according to a study out of the Royal Botanic Gardens in collaboration with scientists in Ethiopia.
TeaDon't look to tea to replace your coffee either. A consortium of researchers studying the impacts of global warming on tea production in China have found that changing weather patterns are reducing the quality of higher-grade teas, while more intense wet seasons and monsoons are waterlogging plants and causing root rot. In some East-African tea-growing hotpots, crops could decline by as much as 55 per cent by 2050! That means you'll soon be paying more money for an inferior product.Getty
WineIn 2012, demand for wine exceeded supply by 300 million cases, the deepest shortfall in over 40 years, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. The authors contend that we haven't felt any kind of strain yet because supply is being held steady by previous vintages, for now. The report predicts, however, that higher prices for your favourite vino are just around the corner. It is worth noting, however, that some analysts disagree with this report's findings. We hope the naysayers are right on this one. Getty
Any plant requiring pollenationFor some time now, scientists have been scratching their heads over the mysterious mass-decline in bee populations around the world. But the loss of the insect would have huge impacts on the planet. A 2010 study out of the University of Illinois found four bumble bee species had declined up to 96 per cent while they lost up to 87 per cent of their geographical range. Another study published in 2013 found wild bees will be even less resilient to the coming environmental changes of the future. While it's hard to pinpoint exactly what foods will be affected, Whole Foods paired up with the Xerces Society to give us an idea: Whole Foods/The Xerces Society
Any plant requiring pollenationSome of the foods that have been removed include apples, onions, cantaloupe, zucchini, avocados, green onions, cauliflower, bok choy, kale and broccoli.Whole Foods/The Xerces Society