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Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

economist.com

11–20 of 188 posts

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#11

I couldn't read the whole article, but this has already started with crops more sensitive to climate - namely grapes for wine.

Yes. People have laughed but my vineyard in Sitka, Alaska will soon be producing world-class Cabs.

I wouldn't laugh too much.

In 2016 Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, recorded zero measurable snowfall for the entire winter for the first time in recorded history [1].

Climate change impacts are already severe in the North. Here's what it used to look like in a "proper Alaska" winter. We walked across the lake near town to the Glacier. That lake doesn't freeze anymore [2]

[1] https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/where-oh...

[2] http://theroadchoseme.com/mendenhall-glacier-juneau-alaska

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#12

I couldn't read the whole article, but this has already started with crops more sensitive to climate - namely grapes for wine.

20 years ago, I don’t think you could make wine in Wisconsin. Today, Wisconsin wine is total garbage. I am morbidly curious about what it tastes like in another 20.

Like "Winesconsin", the most reputed wine in the US at the time. Exported everywhere around the world. Very expensive. Cheaper restaurants will serve French wines instead. French wines will have, by the way, suffered from drastic climate change by then.

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#13
post #10

I couldn't read the whole article, but this has already started with crops more sensitive to climate - namely grapes for wine.

15 years ago a friend in Canada planted many fruit trees that were known not to be able to handle the winters in that part of the country. Now he enjoys a ton of fruit you "can't grow" in that part of Canada.

we should adapt to climate change and use it to our advantage.

This does not conflict with trying to slow it.

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. People have laughed but my vineyard in Sitka, Alaska will soon be producing world-class Cabs.

How much was the parcel if you don't mind sharing? I've had similar thoughts regarding Miami near-floodplain real estate - buying land that might hypothetically become the "new coast" based on projections for sea levels over the next 20, 30 years. Obviously a long shot in terms of ROI but I mean the apparent recent increase in hurricanes in those coastal areas in terms of both intensity and frequency is palpable...

The trouble with South Florida is that it's so flat. Any significant sea level rise will mean extensive flooding inland every time there's a major storm because the rainwater won't have anywhere to drain away.

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. People have laughed but my vineyard in Sitka, Alaska will soon be producing world-class Cabs.

> People have laughed but my vineyard in Sitka, Alaska will soon be producing world-class Cabs I had this discussion with a previous CEO at a company I worked for here in Sweden a few years ago: he (being a type-A personality, and also loving fast sports cars) was very upbeat about global warming, and saw it as an opportunity to take over the Mediterranean role of growing grapes, olives and other foods that needed a…

Stockholm at 59.33°N is about .5 degree North of Churchill in Northern Manitoba. Without the Gulf Stream your friend may be in for a rude surprise: polar bears rather than grapes and olives.

> Churchill is a town in northern Manitoba, Canada, [...] most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname "Polar Bear Capital of the World" that has helped its growing tourism industry.

Thanks to climate change, by 2050 it will be blessed by 14 summer days, up from 8 in 2021. Not sure that's enough to scare the bears away.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill,_Manitoba

https://climateatlas.ca/map/canada/25C_2030_85#z=6&lat=55.65...

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#17

Can we try altering the crops instead of the climate please?

It's already happening but to get a new crop cultivar to market, like a new wheat or a new apple, takes >20 years.

Several aspects re climate change will neccessitate making plants grow better (nutritious, pest resistant etc) despite the high CO2 - CO2 was only beneficial to humans when it was below 300ppm.

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. People have laughed but my vineyard in Sitka, Alaska will soon be producing world-class Cabs.

> People have laughed but my vineyard in Sitka, Alaska will soon be producing world-class Cabs I had this discussion with a previous CEO at a company I worked for here in Sweden a few years ago: he (being a type-A personality, and also loving fast sports cars) was very upbeat about global warming, and saw it as an opportunity to take over the Mediterranean role of growing grapes, olives and other foods that needed a…

Indeed. There is a reasonable argument to be made that Europe might get colder in the future. It really depends on the gulf stream. If that turns off, it could be the end of grape growing for all of Europe.

Re: Climate change will alter where many crops are grown

#20
post #10

I couldn't read the whole article, but this has already started with crops more sensitive to climate - namely grapes for wine.

15 years ago a friend in Canada planted many fruit trees that were known not to be able to handle the winters in that part of the country. Now he enjoys a ton of fruit you "can't grow" in that part of Canada.

Does he protect the trees in winter?
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