Not junk food

Re: This is how climate change turns the world’s fruits and vegetables into junk food, Sept. 21

Claiming that fruits and vegetables are “junk food” is utterly inappropriate. Concentration of some nutrients in some foods has decreased because of higher yields, thanks in part to rising CO2. This slight nutrient dilution has been documented for decades, so saying the decline is caused by (recent) “climate change” is not rational.

Sadly, there have always been regions where people don’t have adequate amounts of nutritious food, but nutritional issues are highly complex and related to politics, wars, human mobility, borders, inadequate food storage, pests and low standard of living. The statement, “Increased temperatures are responsible for reducing yields of coffee, corn, rice, soybeans and wheat” is contrary to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which reports that yields have continued to increase.

Most of Earth’s people have adequate supplies of safe and nutritious food. However, we need more research and development, and less flawed food news, to help feed our ever-increasing population. Clive Schaupmeyer, Coaldale, Alta.