Climate change is a problem that is wreaking havoc on world agriculture, one way or another. Now, the agrarian organization COAG warns that 50% of vineyard crops in Castilla la Mancha are in danger. Read it with us.
countdown against agriculture
The olive groves, the cereal fields, the vineyard, the meadows... None of them is free from effects of climate change. According to the first major study in charge of analyzing the impact of the climate, it has been carried out in Albacete and the results are decisive: «Climate change puts 50% of the area of high-quality Castilian vineyards at risk, especially in the early varieties like cencibel or chardonnay».
Therefore, the Head of the Department of Agricultural Risks and author of said study, Pablo Resco, has analyzed the data obtained through years of research on the Global warming effects in Mediterranean crops.
These data warn that a average rise in temperatures by 2 degrees until 2050 will exponentially increase the negative effects on different crops. The area of the high-quality vineyard will be reduced by 20%. Wheat in the center and south of the peninsula 15%. The olive groves, with the exception of the picual variety, would see their yield reduced in the interior of the country.
The importance of the vineyard
Let's review a little the history of the vineyards. The vine has been cultivated in Europe and has been transplanted to other continents to produce wine over centuries. That is why there are countless varieties and their ability to adapt is so characteristic.
Normally the fields of vines are relatively simple to cultivate and maintain, making the vineyard one of the most interesting crops within the peninsula. However, with the change in temperatures, its cultivation and aging have been progressively adapted due to aridity and the need for irrigation.
El climate change poses a key risk to many types of crops. The vineyard is very well adapted to the climate of the peninsula and is resistant to semi-arid conditions. However, despite this good adaptation, irrigation has increased in recent years.
vineyard conditions
According to reports, water resources will decrease by 11% as soon as temperatures rise 2 degrees on average. Currently, irrigation accounts for 40% of the total cultivated area, reaching 60% in Castilla-La Mancha.
The importance of the climate has conditioned the physiology of the vine over the years, and that is why climate change can lead to a very important change in the growing conditions of the vineyard. A alteration in the climate could mean a change in grape ripening and in the performance of the vine itself.
As if that were not enough, the increase in arid conditions has caused a 10% decrease in the coming rains to be expected between now and 2050. This would lead to a increased periods of drought, increasing the demand for water to achieve a quality product and adequate performance.
A change in the economy
All these factors will lead to a change in the current agrarian paradigm. The vineyards will become more expensive to maintain, and your harvest will be less abundant. This translates into an increase in spending and a reduction in benefits for farmers on the peninsula.
Pablo Resco has pointed out that this greater demand will be combined with less availability, causing a increased conflict over water use. Resco has called for action urgently and with the goal of keeping warming below 1.5 degrees to keep farming more efficient and less expensive.
In addition, COAG's expert in agricultural risks has reiterated that the fight and prevention against global warming is not exclusively for protect agriculture, economy y ecosystems. I also know fight to prevent the change in temperatures from affecting our gastronomy, culture, traditions and identity.
And you? How do you think climate change will affect your daily life?
