Rising carbon dioxide levels are changing what ends up on our plates. New research shows that while higher CO₂ can increase crop yields, it also reduces essential nutrients like zinc and iron and may even raise toxic elements such as lead, making food more calorific but less nutritious. Scientists warn this shift could worsen “hidden hunger” and pose growing risks to global food security as climate change accelerates.

Food becoming more calorific but less nutritious due to rising carbon dioxide | Greenhouse gas emissions | The Guardian