Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are altering the chemical composition of staple crops. This process leads to a measurable decline in essential minerals and proteins, making common foods like rice and chickpeas less nutritious than they were decades ago. This trend highlights a critical but often overlooked impact of climate change on global health. As CO2 levels rise, the nutritional quality of the food supply drops, creating a hidden hunger crisis that affects food security and public health worldwide.
