Macro partitioning

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (eCO2) significantly reduce the protein content of C3 staple crops (rice, wheat, barley, potato), leading to a global increase in the population at risk of protein deficiency by 2050.

This research highlights a systemic risk to global food security rather than an individual intervention. For individuals, the key takeaway is to support agricultural policies that promote crop diversification, particularly the breeding of crops resilient to high CO2, and to prioritize diets that include protein sources less affected by eCO2 (like C4 crops or legumes) where possible. For policymakers, it underscores the urgent need to incorporate crop nutrient decline into food security models.