Is climate change secretly sabotaging your 2025 health goals?

As we enter 2025, many of us are focused on healthier eating and fitness resolutions. However, even the most diligent efforts could be undermined by an invisible force: climate change. Beyond extreme weather and rising seas, climate change is having a profound – and often overlooked – impact on the nutrient content of the foods we eat. The soil on which our food grows is changing, and this change has serious consequences for our health.

Food sabotage crisis of 2025: soil degradation and nutrient loss

Soil is the foundation of all life on land, providing necessary nutrients for crops, livestock and ecosystems. Yet research shows that soil quality is deteriorating due to climate-related factors such as rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and desertification. Soil health plays a critical role in human well-being, providing the foundation for nutrient-rich crops that support global populations. According to Food and Agriculture OrganizationWhen soils are degraded, the resulting crops often lack essential nutrients, increasing the risk of malnutrition and associated health problems, particularly among vulnerable groups. In other words, an apple a day may not be enough to keep the doctor away. Additionally, soil contamination with pesticides, heavy metals and other pollutants can cause significant health risks. The FAO also reports that a third of the world’s soils are already degraded.

This degradation is important because nutrient-rich soil is essential for producing healthy food. A 2017 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that increasing atmospheric CO2 levels reduces the concentration of essential nutrients like zinc, iron and protein in crops. Wheat, rice and soybeans – staples for billions of people – have seen their nutrient density decline by up to 10% compared to crops grown decades ago.

Research carried out in 2018 by National Library of Medicinereported alarming results, as high atmospheric CO2 negatively impacts the nutritional quality of vegetables by reducing several essential nutrients. A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that an increase in atmospheric CO2 leads to a 9.5% decrease in protein, an 18.0% reduction in nitrates, a 9.2% decrease in magnesium, a decrease in 16.0% in iron levels and a 9.4% decrease in zinc. . These losses are concerning because these nutrients are vital to human health, particularly in vulnerable populations who are already at risk of suffering from deficiencies. The onset of climate change highlights the urgent need to address these reductions and is essential to ensure that vegetables continue to provide the nutrients needed for a healthy diet in the face of rising CO2 levels.

Food plans for 2025 are inevitably affected by declining soil health

The degradation of soil and food quality has direct consequences on human health. According to research from International Food Policy Research InstituteZinc plays a vital role in human health, but zinc deficiency remains one of the most prevalent forms of micronutrient malnutrition worldwide. Research further indicates that approximately 17% of the world’s population lacks sufficient zinc intake, with this figure rising to 19% in Asia and 24% in Africa. This deficiency is linked to stunted growth, weakened immunity and cognitive problems in children. Growing evidence suggests that it also contributes to the burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Iron deficiency, another byproduct of nutrient-poor crops, is the leading cause of anemia worldwide, affecting 1.62 billion people according to a National Institute of Health report. Anemia, as defined by the American Society of Hematology, occurs when there are not enough red blood cells or when red blood cells are functioning properly, contributing to fatigue, decreased productivity and to complications during pregnancy, with knock-on effects on economic production and health systems.

The intersection of climate change and public health will continue to present a formidable challenge, as rising CO2 levels exacerbate nutrient deficiencies in staple crops, leading to dire consequences for global nutrition. Iron deficiency is already the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world and is set to worsen as increasing atmospheric CO2 (predicted to 550 ppm by 2050) reduces iron concentrations in C3 cereals , legumes and corn by 4 to 10% according to a 2019 study. Stanford University Report. The report further states that vulnerable populations, particularly children aged 1-5 years and women of reproductive age in regions like South Asia, East Africa and North Africa , are disproportionately affected. These areas, often economically disadvantaged, rely heavily on a plant-based diet for their iron intake and face a prevalence of anemia that exceeds 20%. The report further states that 1.4 billion people are at risk of dietary iron loss >3.8%. This emerging health crisis highlights the urgency of mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which result from human activities. Therefore, strengthening health systems, promoting dietary diversification and encouraging agricultural innovations are essential to protect global health and productivity from the climate crisis impacts of nutrient-poor crops.

The combined effects of land degradation, nutrient-poor crops and climate change are intensifying the global burden of micronutrient deficiencies, with devastating implications for public health and economic productivity. Addressing this crisis requires urgent action to mitigate CO2 emissions, improve agricultural practices and invest in health systems and education to build resilience to the far-reaching consequences of declining food quality.

Economic impacts in 2025: the cost of poor nutrition

The ripple effects of nutrient loss extend to economies. Poor nutrition increases health care costs and reduces worker productivity. A 2019 report from the Global Nutrition Report Malnutrition is estimated to cost the global economy $3.5 trillion per year. If climate change continues to erode food quality, these costs will increase and place an additional burden on struggling health systems in many countries.

Entrepreneurs and innovators, however, see opportunities in the crisis. Startups focused on regenerative agriculture, vertical farming, and climate-resilient agricultural technologies are gaining traction. Companies like Indigo Ag and Plenty are developing solutions that promise to restore soil health while ensuring sustainable food production.

This crisis also offers opportunities for academic research and development. A preliminary study from the University of Washington finds that soil-building techniques, such as reduced tillage, planting diversified crops and using cover crops, can significantly improve the nutritional profile of produce. The research compared farms in the United States that used these methods for at least five years with neighboring conventional farms and researchers found a notable increase in essential minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals that support human health. These results highlight the potential of regenerative agriculture not only to restore soil health, but also to provide more nutrient-dense foods, making it a compelling choice for personal well-being and environmental sustainability.

Connecting personal health goals to planetary sustainability in 2025

As we set our health goals for 2025, it’s essential to recognize that the path to wellness goes beyond what’s on our plates: it’s rooted in the ground beneath our feet. Climate change, with its silent but profound effects on soil quality and crop nutrients, poses a challenge that requires urgent attention. The hidden crisis of nutrient loss underscores the interconnectedness of our environment and our health, reminding us that every action we take to combat climate change, from supporting sustainable agricultural practices to reducing carbon emissions, through investment in regenerative agriculture, abandon unsustainable habits in 2024by advocating for climate-resilient policies and fostering global awareness – let’s directly preserve our ability to thrive. Should we rely entirely on vitamin and mineral supplements provided by the pharmaceutical industry to improve the quality of our foods? May 2025 be the year we embrace a holistic vision of health that unites collective health care with planetary sustainability. Additional research and development and serious actions to mitigate the growing health effects of climate change.