WEATHER | DISEASE | WATER | HUNGER | AIR POLLUTION | ALLERGIES 
Rising temperatures from global warming increases evaporation from soils and diminishes the productivity of cropland. This poses an enormous threat to food scarcity throughout the world. Global warming is likely already contributing to drought in many areas of the world. In Africa arid conditions are very concerning and could increase by as much as 374,000 square miles by 2008—more than three times the size of the state of New Mexico.
Scientific studies show that global warming will lead to an 11 percent decrease in rain-fed land in developing countries and in turn a serious decline in cereal production. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 65 developing countries, representing more than half of the developing world population, will lose about 280 million tons of potential cereal production as a result of global warming. That's enough to feed 1.06 billion people for a year.
The effect of global warming on agriculture will likely increase the number of people at risk of hunger, particularly in countries already saddled with low economic growth and high malnourishment levels. In some 40 poor, developing countries, with a combined population of two billion, production losses due to global warming may drastically increase the number of undernourished people, severely hindering progress in combating poverty and food insecurity. Widespread food insecurity resulting from global warming, institutional failure and increasingly damaged soils would worsen inequality and would likely lead to widespread conflict.
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