Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to contribute to this global effort. Despite its relatively small land area, Sri Lanka possesses remarkable climatic and ecological diversity. The country contains more than 50 microclimatic zones
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Prof. Saman Seneweera(R) at an event |
Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern. It has become one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, affecting food production, water resources, public health, biodiversity and economic development. While scientists have warned about these risks for decades, recent evidence shows that the impacts are accelerating faster than many expected. For countries such as Sri Lanka, where agriculture remains central to livelihoods and food security, the challenge is particularly significant.
The Earth today is experiencing unprecedented environmental changes driven largely by human activities. Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations have increased dramatically. For thousands of years, atmospheric CO₂ remained relatively stable at around 280–350 parts per million (ppm). Today, however, it exceeds 420 ppm and continues to rise. Alongside this increase, global temperatures have risen steadily, with recent years ranking among the hottest ever recorded.
The consequences are becoming increasingly visible
The consequences are becoming increasingly visible. Heat waves are becoming more frequent, rainfall patterns are becoming erratic, droughts are intensifying, and extreme weather events are occurring more often. These changes affect not only natural ecosystems but also the agricultural systems that provide food for billions of people.
At the same time, the world’s population continues to grow. Global population has increased from about 3 billion in 1960 to more than 8 billion today and is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050. This means food production must increase substantially over the coming decades despite increasingly challenging climatic conditions.
The Green Revolution of the twentieth century demonstrated humanity’s ability to overcome food shortages through scientific innovation. Improved crop varieties, better nitrogen management, irrigation systems, and modern agricultural technologies enabled global cereal production to increase more rapidly than population growth. As a result, per-capita food availability improved significantly.
However, the challenges facing agriculture today are far
However, the challenges facing agriculture today are far more complex. Climate change threatens to undermine many of the gains achieved during the first Green Revolution.
One of the most intriguing aspects of climate change is the dual role of carbon dioxide. CO₂ is both a problem and an opportunity. As the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, it contributes to rising temperatures. Yet CO₂ is also the raw material for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into biomass.
Research conducted over several decades has shown that elevated CO₂ levels can increase photosynthesis and improve crop productivity, particularly in C₃ crops such as rice, wheat, and soybean. Studies conducted using Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) systems have demonstrated that higher CO₂ concentrations can increase crop yields by improving photosynthetic efficiency and reducing water loss through stomata.
This means that crops may use water more
This means that crops may use water more efficiently under elevated CO₂ conditions. In regions where water scarcity is increasing, this benefit could partially offset some climate-related stresses.
Yet the story is not entirely positive
While elevated CO₂ may increase yields, rising temperatures can negate many of these gains. Research has consistently shown that high temperatures reduce grain filling, accelerate crop development, and decrease final yields. Rice, one of the world’s most important staple foods and the primary food crop of Sri Lanka, is particularly vulnerable.
Studies indicate that every degree of temperature increase can significantly reduce rice yields. Without effective adaptation measures, global cereal production could decline substantially by mid-century despite the fertilisation effect of elevated CO₂.
Perhaps even more concerning is the impact of climate change on food quality.
Scientists have discovered that elevated CO₂ reduces
Scientists have discovered that elevated CO₂ reduces the concentration of important nutrients in staple crops. Research on rice has revealed declines in protein, zinc, iron, and several vitamins when crops are grown under future CO₂ conditions.
This phenomenon has major implications for global nutrition. More than two billion people worldwide already suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger.” Zinc deficiency affects immune function and child development, while iron deficiency remains the leading cause of anaemia worldwide.
Second green revolution needed
As atmospheric CO₂ levels continue to rise, the nutritional quality of staple foods may decline further, increasing health risks for vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries that depend heavily on rice and wheat.
Addressing these challenges requires a new agricultural transformation—a Second Green Revolution.
Unlike the first Green Revolution, which focused primarily
Unlike the first Green Revolution, which focused primarily on increasing yield through improved varieties and fertilizer use, the Second Green Revolution must integrate climate resilience, digital technologies, biotechnology, precision agriculture, and sustainability.
Developing climate-resilient crop varieties is one of the highest priorities. Future crops must tolerate drought, heat, salinity, flooding and emerging pest pressures. Advances in genomics, biotechnology, and molecular breeding provide unprecedented opportunities to accelerate crop improvement.
Water management must also become more efficient. Technologies such as drip irrigation, precision irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and climate-informed irrigation scheduling can significantly improve water productivity.
Equally important is the restoration of soil health
Equally important is the restoration of soil health. Healthy soils improve water retention, increase carbon sequestration, enhance nutrient availability, and provide resilience against climatic extremes. Practices such as conservation agriculture, composting, agroforestry, and integrated nutrient management can contribute substantially to sustainable food production.
Another promising area is biofortification—the development of crop varieties with enhanced nutritional value. Recent research has identified wheat varieties capable of accumulating significantly higher concentrations of zinc in grain. Understanding the genetic and physiological mechanisms controlling nutrient uptake and grain loading offers opportunities to develop nutritionally superior crop varieties capable of combating hidden hunger.
Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to contribute to this global effort. Despite its relatively small land area, Sri Lanka possesses remarkable climatic and ecological diversity. The country contains more than 50 microclimatic zones, creating a natural laboratory for studying climate adaptation across diverse agricultural systems.
Agriculture remains central to the nation’s economy
Agriculture remains central to the nation’s economy and livelihoods. Nearly half of Sri Lanka’s population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. Consequently, improving agricultural productivity and resilience could have transformative impacts on economic growth, rural development, and food security.
Even modest improvements can generate substantial benefits. For example, increasing average rice yield by just one tonne per hectare could create hundreds of millions of dollars in additional economic value while strengthening national food security.
However, scientific discoveries alone will not solve the climate challenge.
One of the greatest barriers to effective climate action is communication. Important scientific findings often remain confined within academic journals and technical reports. Many farmers, policymakers, educators, and members of the public do not have access to this information or may struggle to interpret complex scientific concepts.
Misinformation is spreading rapidly through social media
At the same time, misinformation is spreading rapidly through social media and other digital platforms. False narratives about climate change can undermine public trust and delay necessary action. This is where journalists and science communicators play a critical role.
The media serves as the bridge between scientific knowledge and public understanding. Journalists have the power to translate complex scientific evidence into accessible information that communities can understand and act upon. Effective communication can increase awareness, influence behaviour, strengthen policy support, and accelerate adaptation efforts.
Climate communication must therefore become a national priority. Scientists, educators, policymakers, journalists, and community leaders must work together to ensure that accurate, practical, and locally relevant information reaches society.
The future depends on three interconnected actions: reducing
The future depends on three interconnected actions: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring and protecting natural ecosystems, and strengthening climate communication and public engagement.
Climate change is not merely an environmental issue. It is fundamentally a challenge to food security, health, economic development, biodiversity, and human wellbeing. The solutions exist within science, innovation, and collective action. The task before us is to transform knowledge into action before the window of opportunity closes.
The choices made today will determine not only the future of Sri Lanka’s agriculture but also the wellbeing of future generations across the globe.
(Prof. Saman Seneweera, of the University of Melbourne, explores the defining of climate challenges in this decade and the shifting global strategies framework required to meet them. He is an internationally renowned plant scientist and a leading academic who has been exploring and researching climate change phenomena – locally and internationally)
