Climate change putting our favourite avocados at risk: experts recommend alternative
High in fibre and healthy fats, avocados have a huge fan base across the globe. But a recent report by prominent charity Christian Aid, called Getting Smashed, has revealed that climate change is having a “terrible impact” on the popular superfood.
The brutal climate crisis has turned into one of the greatest threats to humanity. The planet is currently on track for around 2.5-2.9 degrees Celsius of heating above pre-industrial levels, far above the 1.5-2 degrees target under the 2015 Paris agreement.
Climate change shrinking avocado production
Climate change and an ongoing El Nino have been elevating temperatures across the globe to unprecedented levels, causing consecutive months lately to be called the hottest ever. But the 2.5-2.9 degrees forecast is much less than past estimates due to improved policies.
Coming back to our favourite avocados, the fruit has become immensely vulnerable on a hotter, drier planet as it requires vast amounts of irrigation. Estimates suggest just one avocado needs a staggering 320 litres of water on average. That is substantial!
The fruit’s popularity boomed globally in the 2010s, becoming connected to millennials and expensive brunch menus. But as its fame grows, productivity in key countries such as Burundi, Peru, Chile, Spain, South Africa and Mexico is shrinking due to more volatile conditions.
Food experts recommend avocado alternative
Vulnerable avocado farmers must be given more support as hotter temperatures and heavier rain and erosion are putting a lot of stress on their productivity and income. The expansion of avocado production has compromised access to water for some smallholder farmers.
The aforementioned report by the charity cites a 2022 study that forecasts primary production areas will decline by 21% by 2050, even if global heating gets limited to 2 degrees. But food experts have a recommendation – smashed peas, garlic and mint as an alternative toast-topper.
