Rising CO2 level poses threat to human nutrition

A new study has revealed that the rising levels of atmospheric CO2 can lead to major reduction of nutrients important to humans by 2050.

It was estimated that around two to three billion people in the world receive 70 percent or more of their dietary zinc and/or iron from C3 crops, particularly in the developing world where zinc and iron deficiency is already a major health concern.

The study stated that there is a significant decrease in the concentrations of zinc, iron, and protein in C3 grains. Zinc and iron were also considerably reduced in legumes.

The researchers also found that zinc and iron varied substantially across cultivars of rice and their further efforts might be able to find the opportunity to breed cultivars that have less sensitivity to the effect of elevated CO2.