Weather & Science
Why Rice Is Poised to Survive Better in a Warming World
A new study examining crop yields for six staples finds that while all are set to decline, rice has a better chance thanks to its traits, the climates it’s grown in and adaptation options.
A man walks in a paddy field.
Photographer: Buddhika Weerasinghe/BloombergTakeaways by Bloomberg AI
In a warming world that’s already affecting farming yields, one crop may be better positioned than others.
New research looking at future production of six staple crops including wheat, soybeans and sorghum found that rice alone should have the smallest decline in global yields. The results present a sobering picture of how climate change may affect the global food system while also suggesting that there are actions farmers can take to offset some of the losses.