"In Paris, the USDA Puts Food and Climate Change Center Stage"

"From droughts to pests, disease, wildfire, and extreme weather, the agency spotlights food and agriculture at COP21."

"As world leaders gather in Paris this week to negotiate a new global climate agreement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is sounding the alarm about the enormous challenges ahead for the food we eat.

The government agency has released a new report assessing the impacts of climate change on global food security and the U.S. food system. It takes a detailed look at how—between now and the end of this century—the changing climate will affect farming and food distribution around the world. These impacts will touch virtually everything we eat, from grains to fresh produce, fish, meat and dairy products.

The bottom line? In the words of U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack: 'Never before has agriculture faced challenges of this magnitude.'"

Elizabeth Grossman reports for Civil Eats December 2, 2015.