Climate Change Threatens to Drive Up Global Food Prices

Rising temperatures due to climate change will likely cause further increases in food prices globally, according to new research. This is due to the impact on agricultural productivity and inflation.

Changes in average monthly temperatures have the strongest correlation with productivity and inflation figures. Hotter months and regions see larger inflationary impacts.

High and low-income countries will both be affected, but the impacts will be greater in Africa, South America, and the global south overall. These regions already experience very hot temperatures.

Extreme weather events like droughts and floods also disrupt food supplies and drive up costs. The effects can persist for up to a year.

By 2035, climate impacts could amplify European food inflation by 30-50% based on warming projections. Emissions reductions can help lessen future weather extremes.