Climate change to pull down crop yield, fish output, labour capacity: IPCC

What is the News?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) has released the second part of the Sixth Assessment Report.

The report has presented a grim picture on the adverse impact of climate change across India in general. It has also been particularly concerned when it comes to the impact on agriculture and farming.

What is the impact of climate change on agriculture, farming and river systems in India?

Impact on Agriculture: 1) Rice, wheat, pulses, coarse and cereal yields may fall by almost 9% by 2050, 2) Maize output may drop by 17% in South India if emissions remain high and 3) Agriculture labour capacity to fall by 17% if global warming continues.

These disruptions to crop production are expected to cause price spikes in India, threatening food affordability, food security and economic growth.

Impact on Fish Species: If temperatures rise, the main commercial fish species in India such as hilsa and Bombay duck will fall.

– Climate change will also bring new water quality challenges in freshwater systems, including increased dissolved organic carbon and toxic metal loads. This will have a direct effect on freshwater and inland fishing in India.

Impact on River Systems: Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins which provide water to the most densely populated areas of South Asia will see an increase in river ‘runoff’ by 2050 and 2100.

Note: ‘River run-off’ refers to water that comes into a river water system from sources such as rainfall, melting snow and groundwater.

Source: This post is based on the article “Climate change to pull down crop yield, fish output, labour capacity: IPCC” published in Business Standard on 2nd March 2022.