Class Year

2009

Document Type

World News

Publication Date

Winter 2008

Abstract

U.S. scientists recently released a report showing that crops in Southern Asia and Africa will likely be the worst affected by climate change. Equally as important, the research showed that the people in these regions utilize the likely affected crops for a majority of their calorie intake, increasing the likelihood of mass-malnutrition and starvation. The most affected crops include millet, groundnuts, rapeseed, and wheat in Asia, and sorghum and maize in Africa. To increase research and investment into developing foods that can withstand climate change, the Gates Foundation has announced that it will grant $19.9 million to the International Rice Research Institute (“IRRI”) to develop rice species to fill the role. IRRI will develop a strain of rice that is resistant to floods, droughts, and salty water, and distribute it to 400,000 farmers in needy areas.

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