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World Food Prize winner says now is the time to act on climate change

The winner of the 2022 World Food Prize says climate change is one of the biggest threats to the global food system.

NASA climate scientist Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig says progress can’t be made on reducing the impact of climate change without addressing food system emissions.

“The food system is responsible for one-third of the total human-caused greenhouse gases,” she said. “You see, it’s not just a little bit here and there. It’s really considerable.”

She tells Brownfield an investment in climate-resilient food systems will unlock the ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

“It’s happening now,” Rosenzweig said. “It’s happening in the Midwest with increasing humidity, increasing precipitation levels, and changing grain storage quality. It’s no longer in the future. Climate change is now.”

Rosenzweig says winning the World Food Prize can help shine a light on the role climate plays on global food security.

She spoke to Brownfield at the 2022 Borlaug Dialogue.

AUDIO: 2022 World Food Prize Winner Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig