Climate change will pose sharp risks to the world’s food supply in coming decades, according to a leaked draft of a forthcoming IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report, writes the New York Times. The scientists found that climate change could reduce agricultural production by as much as 2 per cent each decade for the rest of this century, while global population is expected to grow to over 9 billion in 2050 and crop demand could rise as much as 14 per cent each decade. Climate change will most severely impact yields for wheat, rice and maize in tropical regions. With temperature increases of about 2 degrees above preindustrial level, “differences between crop production and population-driven demand will become increasingly large in many regions, posing significant risks to food security even with adaptation”, the draft report finds. According to the New York Times, “the warning on food supply is the sharpest in tone the panel has issued”. While its previous report, in 2007, warned of potential losses, scientists were still optimistic that gains in production at higher latitudes could make up for the losses in agricultural output in tropical regions. The IPCC draft also predicts negative impacts on water supply, food security and agricultural incomes in rural areas. Rising food prices will severely hit the rural poor, such as female-headed households and those with limited access to education. The leaked draft is part of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment due to be published in March. An IPCC spokesman described it as “work in progress” which is “likely to change”.