These are the 6 foods that could disappear by 2030: the incredible causes

Climate change, overexploitation of agriculture, and the loss of biodiversity are causing an alarming phenomenon: some foods could disappear from the planet in less than a decade. Scientists and international organizations warn that, without urgent action, basic foodstuffs in the human diet would be in danger by 2030. What are the six foods that could disappear?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 75% of crop genetic diversity has been lost since the last century due to the rise of monocultures and intensive pesticide use. This has left many foods extremely vulnerable to diseases, pests, and drought.

1. Chocolate (cacao) Cocoa, the basis of chocolate, is threatened by rising temperatures and reduced rainfall in West Africa, where 70% of the world's supply is produced. According to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), if emissions continue at their current rate, cocoa may not be sustainably grown in its current range by 2030.

2. Coffee Arabica coffee, which accounts for 60% of global consumption, is extremely sensitive to heat and climate change. A study published in Nature Plants warns that land suitable for coffee cultivation could be reduced by up to 50% by 2050, although the most severe effects would begin to be felt as early as 2030.

3. Plantain Plantains , a staple of the diet of millions of Colombians, face a serious threat from the spread of the Fusarium TR4 fungus, known as "banana cancer." According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this disease can wipe out entire crops beyond recovery and has no effective treatment.

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4. Avocado: Global demand has driven overproduction of avocados, which requires high levels of water and generates deforestation in key regions like Mexico and Colombia. According to data from the World Resources Institute (WRI), unsustainable avocado cultivation is degrading the soil, which could reduce its viability in producing areas before 2030.

5. Honey Bees, responsible for pollinating more than 70% of food crops, are dying en masse due to pesticides, disease, and habitat loss. The IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) report, "The Decline of Pollinators," concludes that if current trends continue, honey will be a luxury product in less than 10 years.

6. Rice Although it seems like a plentiful food, rice is also at risk from water salinization and soil pollution in Asia, its main producing region. Furthermore, studies by the International Rice Research Institute show that rising CO₂ levels reduce the nutritional value of rice, threatening its future consumption.

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Foods that will disappear: the effects are already happening

These risks are not a future hypothesis: production declines, price increases, and loss of varieties are already being observed. The University of Leeds in the United Kingdom documented that traditional crop varieties are disappearing faster than new ones are being registered. This phenomenon, known as genetic erosion, limits agriculture's ability to adapt to climate change.

Chocolate, coffee, honey, and rice are not only present on the daily table, but are also part of the cultural and economic identity of millions of people . However, their future is jeopardized without urgent action and global coordination.

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What can be done to prevent this?

Organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the UN, and the World Wildlife Fund recommend promoting sustainable agriculture, crop rotation, the preservation of native seeds, and responsible consumption . They also encourage public policies that protect agricultural biodiversity and reduce the water footprint. Consumers can also do their part by choosing environmentally certified, fair trade, and locally produced products.

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