Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is reversing the U.S. climate policy, but the topic of climate change didn’t need the new American president to make it top of the news again. It does so all by itself.
According to leading sources, climate change is the cause of the wildfire disaster that started the year on a dramatic note in California. “The combination of drought-like conditions — Southern California has had less than 10% of average rainfall since Oct. 1 — and powerful offshore winds that hit the region last week prompted fire weather that was, in the words of the National Weather Service, ‘about as bad as it gets’”, says NBC News. An article by the Pennsylvania State University explains: “Warmer temperatures, reduced precipitation or a changed rainfall season and longer fire seasons have dried out California’s landscapes, increasing the potential for ignition and rapid fire spread. Extended periods of drought further exacerbate the issue.”
There is no denying changes in climate, whether you believe in the principle of climate change or not. And while this disaster has caused destruction in California with people losing all their positions, livelihood and even lives, climate change affects us in more ways than disasters – it impacts our daily lives.
Warmer temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and an increase in the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events have an impact on our health, food, water, energy, the air we breathe, transport, wildlife, agriculture and ecosystems. It even affects us financially! Housing is more expensive as construction has to factor in the increase in disasters and adverse climate impacts. Even insurance is getting more expensive because of climate change! Have you recently paid an arm and a leg for a punnet of avos? Climate change also disrupts global food production.
The changing weather patterns are a daily realisation for agricultural industries and the wine industry is no exception. A recent producer’s day organised by South African wine body, Vinpro, focused on climate change and its impact on the future of our vineyards. Climate chaos results in an unstable global wine environment but top producers are still managing return on investment. What sets them apart? The information-filled day featured speakers such as Antonio Graça from Portuguese Sogrape Vinhos SA, sharing best practice and insights about how an industrial approach to agriculture should change to make it part of a functional system of biodiversity. He also highlighted the importance of wine tourism in educating wine consumers.
While global buy-in and initiatives are required to address climate change, agriculture can face the storm through combining cutting edge technology with data acquired both in systems and through experience. In this way, detailed information can guide decisions when it comes to planting and production. And the technology exists! Wine farmers don’t have to rely on guess work or find that knowledge of their farm is challenged by changing patterns. It is possible to determine the vineyard spot with the most photosynthesis hours, the one that cools down the quickest, the one that has the best combination of sunshine and mild temperatures, the best access to ground water, etc.
Climate change also affects the wine countries in the traditional colder European climates. Not only are we seeing the rise of a British and Danish wine industry as rising temperatures allow viticulture, but Southern European countries such as France might have to change age-old techniques, a new approach to varietal selection and irrigation and even legislation to ensure they survive the new weather patterns. (Read more)
Technology enables us to ride the changing curve of climatic conditions, but it might not be able to prepare us for political influences just yet. Trump’s aggressive approach towards traditional trading partners and tariffs brings uncertainty to the global trade and the warning lights are on for Africa’s very valuable AGOA agreement with the US too. (Read more about what SA can expect of the Trump government) Nedbank economist, Isaac Matshego debates whether this trade war talk might only be rhetoric and while there is something to be said for a straightforward and strong political approach, he also criticises the anti-climate change stance, especially in the face of disasters such as Hurricane Helene and the Californian fires that are still wreaking havoc. (Read more about the LA fire’s influence on the local wine community)