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I've read studies which conclude that climate change improves crop yields because carbon is an input to photosynthesis -- often the bottleneck. In addition, glo

I've read studies which conclude that climate change improves crop yields because carbon is an input to photosynthesis -- often the bottleneck. In addition, global warming frees up more arable land. After all, there is far more landmass in the northern hemisphere than at or around the equator. The net result is that some land become intolerable in certain areas and a lot of land becomes newly arable in other areas.

defrost 4y ago
Many of those studies also conclude "more plant, less food", or: Temperature is not the only factor the models consider when simulating future crop yields. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have a positive effect on photosynthesis and water retention, increasing crop yields, though often at a cost to nutrition. and Increases in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) can increase some crop yields in some places. But to realize these benefits, nutrient levels, soil moisture, water availability, and other conditions must also be met. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3124/global-climate-change-impact-on-crops-expected-within-10-years-nasa-study-finds/ https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3124/global-climate-change-imp... https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-affecting-crop-yields-and-reducing-global-food-supplies-118897 https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-affecting-crop... https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-agriculture-and-food-supply https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-im... Here (W.Australia) we're busy trialing many wheat (and other) varieties for future use but its better to deal with AGW by reducing C02 (and methane and water vapor) in the atmosphere than by soft selling adaption. Over threshold things are predicted to tip and get uncontrollably worse.
- missedthecue 4y ago
  Water availability, soil nutrients, and moisture are variables farmers can control. Atmospheric carbon levels are not, so while that caveat is important to keep in mind from an agricultural science perspective, it will still result in higher yields of quality food.
  - defrost 4y ago
    I'm in a rural area and have been for six decades, I come from a farming family despite having spent a life in STEM. > Water availability, soil nutrients, and moisture are variables farmers can control. Are they though (globally)? Aren't water availibilty patterns changing with long term dams, aquifiers, and reservoirs drying up in the face of increased demand? And how's the fertilizer market faring in the face of the Russian-Ukraine conflict; is the future of mega tonnes of additional soil nutrients stable? > higher yields of quality food. The articles linked above didn't say any such thing about (for example) maize, a staple crop for hundreds of millions of people.

defrost 4y ago

Many of those studies also conclude "more plant, less food", or: Temperature is not the only factor the models consider when simulating future crop yields. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have a positive effect on photosynthesis and water retention, increasing crop yields, though often at a cost to nutrition. and Increases in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) can increase some crop yields in some places. But to realize these benefits, nutrient levels, soil moisture, water availability, and other conditions must also be met. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3124/global-climate-change-impact-on-crops-expected-within-10-years-nasa-study-finds/ https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3124/global-climate-change-imp... https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-affecting-crop-yields-and-reducing-global-food-supplies-118897 https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-affecting-crop... https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-agriculture-and-food-supply https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-im... Here (W.Australia) we're busy trialing many wheat (and other) varieties for future use but its better to deal with AGW by reducing C02 (and methane and water vapor) in the atmosphere than by soft selling adaption. Over threshold things are predicted to tip and get uncontrollably worse.

missedthecue 4y ago
Water availability, soil nutrients, and moisture are variables farmers can control. Atmospheric carbon levels are not, so while that caveat is important to keep in mind from an agricultural science perspective, it will still result in higher yields of quality food.
- defrost 4y ago
  I'm in a rural area and have been for six decades, I come from a farming family despite having spent a life in STEM. > Water availability, soil nutrients, and moisture are variables farmers can control. Are they though (globally)? Aren't water availibilty patterns changing with long term dams, aquifiers, and reservoirs drying up in the face of increased demand? And how's the fertilizer market faring in the face of the Russian-Ukraine conflict; is the future of mega tonnes of additional soil nutrients stable? > higher yields of quality food. The articles linked above didn't say any such thing about (for example) maize, a staple crop for hundreds of millions of people.