Food is a basic necessity, and it is at the heart of every human culture and our sense of home. It also represents one of our most important connections to Earth. Crops and animal products, whether gathered from the ocean or the land, raised on farms big and small, across vast fields or in our backyards and urban communities, draw on sunlight, water and soil to grow and thrive.
Producing food has always been challenging, and in the 21st century, human-caused climate change is already affecting food security through increasing temperatures, the frequency of extreme events and changing precipitation patterns. This is increasing the risk of food supply disruptions by shifting growing and pastoral zones, reducing water access and food yield—all of which contribute to the changing landscape of our food and water supply.
In addition, more than 800 million people suffer from chronic hunger worldwide. By 2050, the global population is estimated to grow to 10 billion people. As the population—and the demand for food—continues to expand, we need innovative ways to feed the world.
Read more at: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center