Climate change impact questions where farming will be in a decade
Climate change impact studies have shown that there might be increased heat waves and drought that will affect our food supply globally. Some researchers are looking at the possibility of global warming, increasing the severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes. In some areas, the effects of global warming are already visible. While others are still waiting to see what the future holds.
A recent study looked into the possible effects of climate change on crops in the next decade. A research team from the University of Georgia looked at the effects of increasing temperatures, increasing humidity and rainfall over a period of three years on a field that was not planted for ten years. The end result?
The fields had increased temperature, increased moisture and loss of soil structure. This study was able to determine the impact of climate change on crops, and showed that it can have a serious impact.
So what can we do?
It is not uncommon for some researchers to look at the impact that human activities may have on our climate. This is known as “Mitigation”. It basically means that we are trying to slow down the rate at which the warming has been happening so that we can hopefully avoid any major impact that it may have on the world.
How do scientists try and stop climate change impact on crops in the next ten years?
They look at the effects that various mitigation methods could have on warming. For example, if farmers were able to raise their production, this would be beneficial. If they were able to use more efficient machinery in the field, or were able to expand the area of cultivation, this would also be of benefit. This effect is known as the Green Energy Effect.
Another technique that some scientists use is carbon dioxide sequestration. Carbon dioxide is released from the burning of fossil fuels. If this increase is removed from the environment, it can be used to power up alternative energy sources.
How about temperature regulation?
With increased atmospheric temperatures, the ability of crops to absorb the sun’s heat is reduced. This means that plants will need more heat, which will lead to rising prices. The warming also affects the development of the world’s water systems. It can cause drought, floods, and melting glaciers.
If carbon dioxide is not removed from the atmosphere, it can end up in different forms such as acidic rain, clouds, and fog. Acid rain lowers the pH levels in the atmosphere. This has an adverse effect on the plants and animals we depend on for food. On top of that, there is evidence that excessive levels of carbon dioxide have caused the rapid disintegration of some rocks.
There are many other possible climate change impacts on crops in the next ten years that have not been considered here. These include changing precipitation patterns, insect outbreaks, severe weather events, and global warming. Each one is a threat to life on Earth. We can prevent all of these problems by taking action now. You can help by signing the “pledge” at the bottom of this article.
Let’s look at carbon dioxide first. It is one of the most important greenhouse gases floating around in the atmosphere. As this gas continues to be released into the air, the earth’s climate will change. Recent research suggests that carbon dioxide is responsible for 40% of climate change. We cannot ignore this fact.
The second impact is related to insects. As insects become more abundant, they eat more vegetation which releases more carbon dioxide. In turn, this gas travels upward into the atmosphere. The air is full of this carbon dioxide. In a short period, this has become one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
In the past, people didn’t pay much attention to climate change impact on crops in the next ten years because they didn’t feel it was something worth worrying about. However, we are all feeling the impact now and paying more attention to it as the years go by. With greenhouse gases out of control, this may be a climate change we all have to deal with.
Climate Change Impacts on Crops in the Next Five Years
Two decades after the Montreal Protocol was first implemented, farmers are still waiting for the final climate change impact on crops in 2021. In the mean time, the Montreal Protocol has been met with resistance. For instance, in some parts of Europe, farmers are being told to increase their carbon footprint, so that they can qualify for government grants aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A handful of countries, including Canada, have actually banned the use of certain pesticides that have been proven to be harmful to the environment.
Some countries, including Canada, have also enacted legislation that would force corporations to purchase a certain amount of “green energy” from local producers. Currently, the cost of green energy is so expensive that few large-scale corporations want to purchase it. Unfortunately, it may not be long before this requirement is added to company policy. The final step in the long journey to climate change impact on crops in 2021 is to enact legislation that requires large-scale corporations and their suppliers to purchase a portion of the green energy produced by local farmers.
If no such law becomes active, the battle will likely continue to be fought on the state and national level.
As the world continues to strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is becoming clear that climate change impact on crops in the future will likely continue to grow. While there are efforts underway to reduce emissions, they have been slow to reach the extent needed to truly curb climate change. Until nations come together to put a stop to greenhouse gas emissions, farmers around the world will face increasingly difficult challenges in protecting their food supply.
Some scientists believe that the biggest climate change impact on crops in the next two decades will be in the areas of extreme heat. Extreme heat is defined as temperatures that exceed the average limit for a day. Heat waves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with some areas experiencing blistering summers that have affected regions thousands of miles away. Temperature changes are also being documented in precipitation, with some areas experiencing heavy rainfalls and others experiencing drought.
With so much information available, farmers should be prepared for when the next extreme temperature rise will occur.
The United States has already experienced one of the largest increases in extreme heat. In response, farmers are planting seeds for tougher crops that can better endure heat and will also produce more crops in a shorter period of time. They are also working to make their facilities more energy-efficient, which will help them keep their costs down while also increasing crop production.
Temperature change can also impact precipitation patterns. If the precipitation does not fall on the same days, it will take longer to water a field. Crop farmers are currently experiencing record rainfall that is being blamed on climate change. It is projected that there will not be any more rain during the current precipitation season. With less rain, crops will have to spend more time in the field waiting for the rain to refill the land.
Changes in wind speed and direction can have an impact on a field’s crops as well. Wind will cause soil to wash off of the fields, creating bare spots and speeding up runoff. The runoff will then cause water to pool in low areas, causing the water to run faster and leaving less space for the runoff to travel. The effects of these changes may not be seen immediately but could significantly reduce crop production over time.
As each of these areas of climate change impact on crops in the next five years, the need to be prepared by both farmers and consumers will become greater. Farmers need to look at their operations and how weather affects the crops they are growing. Consumers need to understand what their own personal effects will be on the food they eat. Creating a way to deal with climate change impact on crops in the next five years can be one way to help the environment and make sure people have a safe and healthy way of eating.
If we act now to take care of climate change impact, we could save the world from problems that we all know are going to hit us hard in the future.
Provided by Antonio Westley
Disclaimer: This article is meant to be seen as an overview of this subject and not a reflection of viewpoints or opinions as nothing is definitive. So, make sure to do your research and feel free to use this information at your own discretion.