A Menu of Foods We Might Lose Forever | Sam Kass | TED

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker highlights the critical impact of climate change on our food systems, focusing on the challenges faced by key agricultural products like peaches, wheat, salmon, chocolate, and coffee. Drawing attention to declining yields, resource shortages, and ecological disruption, the speaker urges immediate action. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for adaptation, resilience, and innovative solutions within the food system. With optimism, the speaker stresses the potential of agriculture and nature-based solutions to address these crises and ensure a sustainable, prosperous future for coming generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The menu for 'The Last Supper' reflects foods that experts predict may no longer be available for future generations due to climate change.
• 🌍 Climate change is not just a future problem but an immediate one affecting food production, such as fruit, wheat, rice, and other staples.
• 🌾 Crop yields in the U.S. are predicted to decline by 7.5% for every 1°C of global warming, with many core crops facing yield reductions and harvest collapses.
• 🌱 About 60% of the world's wheat will be produced under persistent drought conditions by the time we reach 2°C warming.
• 🐟 Salmon are struggling due to warmer rivers and reduced snowpack, which affect their migration and ability to spawn.
• 🍫 Chocolate production faces a massive decline because regions near the equator, where cocoa is grown, will become too hot and dry to support cocoa trees.
• ☕ Coffee, like wine, will suffer from climate change, with half of the current growing regions predicted to become unsuitable for coffee production by 2050.
• 🌱 Climate change could result in significant economic and social upheaval, including forced migration and conflicts over resources due to food scarcity.
• 🍽️ The food system is the largest driver of biodiversity loss, deforestation, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions, and must be transformed to combat climate change.
• 💡 Solutions already exist to mitigate the impacts of food production on the environment, such as companies developing technologies to store carbon in soil and increase farming efficiency.
• ⏳ Time is running out, and those working on food systems need to take more risk and act faster to address climate change and ensure a sustainable food future.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'Last Supper' in this speech?

The 'Last Supper' in this speech symbolizes a menu featuring foods that are predicted to disappear due to climate change. It is used to illustrate the impact of climate change on food production and to provoke thought about the future of the planet's food security.

Why are certain foods like peaches, almonds, and pistachios under threat due to climate change?

These foods, along with other fruits and nuts, are being threatened because trees are struggling to survive due to changing weather patterns and rising temperatures. For example, the Georgia peach crop suffered a 95% loss, and climate models predict that regions like Georgia will no longer be suitable for growing these crops in the future.

How does climate change impact wheat production, and what are the consequences?

Climate change impacts wheat production by decreasing yields. For every degree of warming, wheat yields could decline by 7.5%. Additionally, more wheat will be produced in drought-prone regions, making supply less reliable and increasing food insecurity, especially in vulnerable regions.

What challenges are salmon facing due to climate change?

Salmon are facing challenges due to warmer rivers, reduced river flows, and heat waves in the oceans, all of which disrupt their migration. By 2050, half of the water flow needed for their spawning rivers will be lost due to reduced snowpack, making their journey nearly impossible.

What is the impact of climate change on chocolate production?

Chocolate production is threatened because cocoa-growing regions are expected to become too hot and dry for cocoa trees to thrive. This will lead to economic and social disruption in communities reliant on chocolate production, with rising costs and a decrease in availability.

How is coffee production affected by climate change?

Coffee production is at risk because, by the time the world hits 2 degrees Celsius of warming, about half of the current coffee-growing regions will no longer be suitable for cultivation. Additionally, many wild coffee species are on the brink of extinction, which could hinder efforts to develop resilient coffee varieties.

What does the speaker mean by 'what’s at stake' in the context of climate change?

By 'what’s at stake,' the speaker refers to the survival of crucial food sources, cultural identities tied to food, the economic stability of regions dependent on agriculture, and the overall well-being of future generations, particularly in terms of the ability to pass down a world that is as vibrant and sustainable as the one we know.

What are the key drivers of climate change in the food system?

The food system is a major driver of climate change, being the number one cause of biodiversity loss, deforestation, and land-use changes. It is also the largest consumer of freshwater, using 70% of the world’s water, and the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

What solutions are suggested for addressing the environmental impact of food systems?

The speaker suggests adopting nature-based solutions, such as carbon-sequestering technologies and sustainable agricultural practices, to mitigate climate change. For example, fungi microbes that coat seeds and store carbon in the soil, as well as advanced breeding techniques to reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, are promising tools for improving the food system.

Why does the speaker emphasize the need for urgent action on climate change?

The speaker stresses the need for urgent action because we are running out of time to address the environmental damage caused by food systems. If we do not take immediate and significant action, we risk losing the opportunity to preserve the planet's ecosystems, food security, and overall stability, leaving future generations with fewer resources.