In a cautionary tale to the world, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – a group organized by the United Nations – has issued a 1,024-page report that presents a scientific basis and blueprint to pull humanity back from dire, planet-wide environmental ruin.

“Our report demonstrates that climate change – including increases in climate hazards such as flooding, drought or cyclones – is already affecting food systems, and particularly food security in vulnerable regions,” said [Rachel] Bezner Kerr, professor in the Department of Global Development, part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “The world can prevent severe impacts on people and on nature, but there is a brief and rapidly closing window to act.”

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While agricultural productivity has improved, in another example, a heated climate will cause global crop and livestock areas to become increasingly unsuitable. Even with low greenhouse gas emissions – that is, if the temperature average remains 1.6 degrees Celsius below pre-industrial average temperature levels – about 8% of the world’s farmland will likely become unsuitable by 2100.

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“Every action to avoid even small increases in warming will make a tremendous difference,” Bezner Kerr said. “If strong action is taken after this report, there is hope.”

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