The Edge Magazine Vol. 8

FORECASTS SUGGEST CHALLENGES FOR TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Climate change and supply chain disruptions continue to have a dramatic impact on food production. Agriculture currently accounts for 70% of annual global freshwater use. Within this century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) , global temperatures are expected to increase by two to four degrees Celsius. Further, precipitation is expected to decrease by 10–30%. Some forecasts suggest rainfall will become much more sporadic and unpredictable, often characterized by intense periods of heavy rain, all of which could very well lead to the erosion of land and loss of agricultural capacity. Some experts warn that these increasing temperatures will not only threaten crops, but will also lead to increased pesticide use, negatively impacting human health. Additionally, to offset the loss of fertile soil caused by intensive agricultural practices, more fertilizers will likely be required to sustain crop production levels. Beyond these environmental challenges, food security will be further strained by a growing global population, estimated at 7.7 billion today and expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. The corresponding rise in food demand will put acute pressure on the world’s agricultural producers. And with more than 60% of the world’s population living in cities by 2030, urban centers will likely need innovative solutions. While solutions to these global climate and demographic challenges may emerge and mitigate threats to feeding the world, innovators are working today to be prepared nonetheless, and some are looking at commercial real estate as part of the answer.

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