Could rising carbon dioxide levels make our food supply more toxic?
In short: While increased CO2 can act as a fertilizer to boost plant growth, it may also be creating a dangerous side effect. Scientists are investigating whether a changing climate is inadvertently fueling the spread of invasive species and potent, invisible toxins that threaten global food security.
The 'carbon fertilization effect' is a measurable phenomenon. Between 1982 and 2020, global plant photosynthesis increased by 12 percent, tracking a 17 percent rise in atmospheric CO2. This boost in carbon can drive significant growth, with some studies showing above-ground plant growth increasing by an average of 21 percent and below-ground growth by 28 percent. Some essential crops, such as wheat, rice, and soybeans, may even see yields rise by 12 to 14 percent.
However, this growth comes with significant risks. Some scientists worry that higher emissions could promote more toxic and invasive species. Warmer temperatures and milder winters are allowing pests and diseases to migrate into previously cold regions. For example, the fall armyworm has moved from the Americas to Africa, Asia, and Oceania, while the bacterium Xylecan fastidiosa is spreading through olive and almond orchards in southern Europe.
The danger extends to mycotoxins—potent, invisible toxins produced by fungi that thrive in cycles of drought and flooding. These toxins can survive cooking and processing, contaminating staples like maize and sorghum. Furthermore, as ecosystems change, many terrestrial environments are becoming nutrient-deficient, particularly in nitrogen, which is essential for plants to build proteins and DNA. This shift threatens the delicate balance of 'One Health,' where the stability of human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Could Climate Change Make Plants More Toxic?
- Also: How Climate Change Will Affect Plants
- Also: How climate change impacts plant health - and why it matters for One Health
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