Air pollution is often seen as a health issue, but it also threatens our food and nutrition. Pollutants like ground-level ozone, fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds impact how plants grow and their nutritional value. With global tensions increasing from climate change and seasonal smog, especially in areas like northern India, it’s crucial to recognize how these pollutants affect our food supply.
Ground-level ozone, formed from interactions between other pollutants, enters plant leaves and can harm growth. For example, a 2025 study shows that ozone pollution worsened by wildfires could drastically cut crop yields worldwide. Projections indicate that factors like climate change will only escalate these issues. Research from IIT Kharagpur suggests that by mid-century, ozone might reduce wheat yields by as much as 20%, with rice and maize also suffering significant losses. This points to a growing concern about ozone as a hidden threat to our food security.
Not only do we worry about reduced crop yields, but the nutritional quality of food is also at risk. Studies indicate that exposure to air pollutants changes the nutrient makeup in crops. For example, higher levels of CO₂ can increase carbohydrate levels but reduce essential nutrients like protein, zinc, and iron. A comprehensive analysis of nutrient data reflects that rising CO₂ levels are leading to a decline in vital nutrients, raising concerns about “hidden hunger,” where people might have enough calories but lack essential nutrients.
When the quality of crops decreases, this can disrupt food systems. Pollutants interfere with processes that make nutrients available in plants. For instance, high ozone levels can disrupt nitrogen metabolism, which is crucial for protein synthesis. There have been observations that plants like wheat and cotton exposed to high pollution levels show a 20-40% drop in chlorophyll content, hinting at broader metabolic adjustments that might limit nutrient access.
In regions like North India, smog not only threatens public health but also impacts food production. Recent reports indicate that air pollution from practices such as stubble burning contributes to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths annually, while simultaneously degrading the environment necessary for high-quality agricultural output. The cycle of pollution and its repercussions on crop health is concerning for food security.
While challenges like these are evident in India, similar patterns are seen globally. Studies from China suggest that improving air quality could lead to better crop yields, which translates to enhanced food security. Research in the United States indicates that rising ozone levels have already caused substantial agricultural losses, underlining the universal risks posed by air pollution to farming.
To tackle these challenges, air quality must be part of food and nutrition policies. Agricultural practices can also help. For instance, implementing methods like zero-tillage can reduce emissions while keeping soil healthy. The effects of air pollution on our food systems are not just hypothetical; they have real implications for crop health, nutritional quality, and public health. This calls for integrated solutions that address the intersection of air quality and agriculture to ensure food security as our environment continues to change.
Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation
