study Rutgers Universitypublished a few days ago in the magazine Environmental Research LettersIt warns of unforeseen impacts on the world’s food system due to the potential application of artificial Earth cooling techniques.
The research indicates that Climate intervention By injecting sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere – a proposed strategy to limit global warming – it could reduce the sulfur dioxide content. Protein in staple crops Such as corn, rice, wheat and soybeans.
This warning collected by that and SEBS/NJAES Newsroom to Rutgers Universityreignites debate on the interface between climate technology and food security.
Intervention, called Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI)is based on the release of sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere. Inspired by the consequences of large volcanic eruptions, it seeks to create a continuous cloud of sulfuric acid particles that reflects part of solar radiation, cooling the Earth’s surface.
according to that and SEBS/NJAES NewsroomScientists Rutgers University They used climate and agricultural models on a global scale to assess the extent to which this technology could modify the nutritional composition of the world’s major staple foods.
a team Rutgers University It found that SAI would change the climate and nutritional value of food. Simulations indicate that increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere reduces the protein content of corn, rice, wheat, and soybeans.
In contrast, global temperature increases tend to raise this protein. However, solar geoengineering would prevent the compensatory effect of global warming, resulting in a net reduction in protein compared to the scenario without intervention.
Brendan Clark“SAI will not fully address the effects of climate change; instead, it will create a new climate in which the relationship between carbon dioxide and surface temperatures becomes decoupled. This will likely reduce the protein content of crops and affect plant ecology in ways we do not yet fully understand,” the former doctoral candidate and lead author of the study explained to the SEBS/NJAES newsroom.
Nutritional effect It will not be uniform across the world.. According to SEBS/NJAES Newsroom, models suggest that the largest declines in protein will occur in countries with high levels of malnutrition and protein deficiency.
Since maize, rice, wheat and soybeans are essential sources of protein for a large portion of the population, any decline in their nutritional quality would exacerbate food insecurity, especially in vulnerable areas.
Scientific warning It’s clear: the study’s authors insist there is an urgent need to deepen research and improve models before moving toward the massive application of solar geoengineering.
Clark and his team highlight that there is widespread uncertainty about the environmental and food impacts of this technology, so decisions must be based on a careful assessment of the risks and benefits.
The research reveals a central dilemma for society: whether it is willing to confront the potential side effects of solar geoengineering In exchange for reducing global warming.
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