A Menu of Foods We Might Lose Forever | Sam Kass | TED

Welcome to the Last Supper

Introduction to the Menu

• The speaker introduces a menu created with ingredients predicted to be scarce for future generations, emphasizing the importance of these foods.

• The menu aims not to depress but to highlight the stakes involved in climate change discussions.

Understanding Climate Change

• The speaker questions common perceptions of climate change, particularly regarding temperature increases and their implications.

• Discussion begins on appetizers, specifically fruit, noting significant losses in crops like peaches due to environmental changes.

Impact on Core Commodities

Decline in Agricultural Yields

• For every degree of warming, U.S. wheat yields are projected to decline by 7.5%, impacting food security globally.

• Currently, 15% of global wheat is produced under drought conditions; this could rise to 60% with two degrees of warming.

Economic and Social Consequences

• The potential decline in core commodities could lead to economic upheaval, food insecurity, malnutrition, and political instability due to resource conflicts.

Challenges Facing Marine Life

Salmon Population Threatened

• Salmon face challenges from warming rivers and reduced snowpack affecting their spawning journeys.

• California's commercial fishing was halted due to low fish populations, illustrating immediate impacts on marine life.

The Future of Chocolate

Chocolate Production Risks

• Chocolate production is at risk as regions suitable for growth may become unsuitable with rising temperatures.

• Current drought and extreme weather have already caused a 50% increase in chocolate prices this year.

Coffee: A Brewing Crisis

Coffee Production Challenges

• Predictions indicate that half of current coffee-growing regions will no longer be viable if temperatures rise by two degrees.

• Many wild coffee varieties are nearing extinction, threatening genetic diversity needed for future hybrid varieties.

Emotional Connection Through Food

Importance of Food Security

• The speaker emphasizes that the discussion is not meant to scare but rather connect emotionally through food's significance in our lives.

The Role of Food in Environmental Challenges

The Stakes of Our Food System

• A rich and fulfilling life is at risk due to the challenges posed by our food system, which holds both problems and potential solutions.

• Food is a major contributor to environmental issues: it leads to biodiversity loss, deforestation, land-use change, and consumes 70% of the world's freshwater resources.

• Unlike other sectors like energy or transportation that show promise for improvement, food and agriculture are currently on an unsustainable upward trajectory with no end in sight.

Preparing for Future Challenges

• There is a pressing need for investment in adaptation and resilience within our food systems as we face extreme volatility from dwindling resources and rising energy prices.

• Nature-based solutions, including agriculture, oceans, and forestry, have the unique ability to sequester significant amounts of carbon—110 billion metric tons could potentially be returned to soils.

Innovative Solutions in Agriculture

• Emerging tools and rediscovered techniques can enhance soil health by capturing carbon. For instance, Loam Bio's fungi microbes can store between one to three tonnes of carbon per acre annually.

• Inari Agriculture employs modern breeding techniques that increase crop yields while reducing reliance on fertilizers and pesticides.

Urgency for Action

• Despite having viable solutions available, time is running out. Those involved must step outside their comfort zones and embrace greater risks in their actions.