Climate Change Wiping Out Agricultural Life

by Tony Truong

Rice is an essential ingredient in many meals prepared by people. Everyone has enjoyed a bowl of rice and isn’t ever worried about it running out because rice is easy to buy and make again. However, what if one day no one on earth could ever have a grain of rice again. This hypothetical situation might be hard to believe but it might become a reality one day due to the current climate changes that affect the major sectors of Asia. Patterns have already started to develop in the slowly declining rates of countries in Asia mainly because of the rising temperatures and extreme weather events.[1] Many countries in Asia are heavily relied upon to provide such valuable crops such as rice to markets to sell. The current climate changes affecting these countries could lead to many disastrous events. There is the possible of more unemployment in the world. Then there is the issue of death that could arise from the extreme climate changes.

            The extreme changes in weather and climate lead to less precipitation and more heating distribution through Asia. This disaster eventually leads to the farmers being unable to grow crops to sell and make money. Even worse, they aren’t able to provide for their family members. The major climate changes that are affecting the agricultural lifestyle are the extreme changes in heat and the intense changes in the level of water. The dramatic heating change simply destroys any progress of the farmers’ crop from growing. While, the various levels of water kill it also. The water level changes from flooding due to the glaciers melting from the extreme heat. The presence of so much water also allows for a high heat capacity around the land where crops are grown also that leads to more crops dieing of extreme heat.[2] It is believed that many farmers must now start either working towards mastering another lifestyle to support their families or simple work extremely hard to produce as much crops as possible before it becomes impossible.

              Another issue that could that is in danger of being affected is the increase of the death rate in Asia as well as around the world. Reports have shown that all areas of Asia involved in the agricultural lifestyle has suffered from climate induced diseases and heat stress.[3] There has already been a mild case of water borne diseases in northern Asia and dramatic increases in the presence of cholera in southern Asia. The farmers are being affected from the climate changes and are also suffering as a result of the diseases. An increase in the farmers suffering from these diseases leads to either less crops being produced or more crops also being infected. Either way, both situations present hazardous circumstances.

            Also related to death is the increase of world hunger that could arise from the current increase in climate change throughout Asia. Rice is possibly the most inexpensive item for food to obtain. Consumers are able to buy a lot of rice for a cheap price to provide as a meal. If the rice amount were to decrease, it would force consumers to buy more expensive types of food. Many people solely depend on rice for food because it is so low-priced so to be forced to buy something else would be a hard adjustment.     

            The drastic changes in climate won’t be any good for the future of an agricultural lifestyle in Asia. This could mean a dramatic shift in Asia’s economy for the worse because it will prevent the countries of Asia from developing.[4] Asia wouldn’t have as much to export so it will lose the interests of other countries to trade with. The most extreme ways the agricultural countries in Asia will suffer from the climate changes is a dramatic change in unemployment because farmers wouldn’t be able to produce enough produce to support the family. The other point is the high increase in death rate due to the farmers dieing from diseases. Also, other people dieing from hunger because they aren’t able to have access to inexpensive rice. The climate changes are having a negative impact on the countries of Asia so scientist now need to find a way to help these countries so that they don’t suffer from the problems mentioned in this news paper article.

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