With the excessive wet and windy conditions that we are experiencing in the Western Cape at the moment and during the two floods of 2023, many of the Cape Winelands’ beautiful old trees didn’t survive. Of course, trees also have a lifespan, but when we see these giants fall at an unnatural rate, it not only significantly changes our landscape, but it can also be a small, but physical sign of climate change.
While there are those who deny climate change and others who are sceptic about its real effect, the research and science are there to back it up. Global temperatures rose by 1.1°C between 1901 and 2020 and we are experiencing the rise of sea levels and changes in weather patterns with more regular droughts and flooding, etc. These changes affect the way we live and the quality of our water, energy, transportation, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems, and eventually health, wellness and even the economy. (Read more)
How does this realisation affect the way we live and the decisions we make? Do we feel responsible and are we encouraged to change habits that contribute to climate change? Or do we consider it to be out of our control and something that will either naturally correct itself, something we will adapt to or the responsibility of someone else? We might blame climate change for the stormy weather, but the Cape of Storms got its name in the 1400’s already when explorers encountered the rough weather and sea conditions. How much of what we are experiencing in the Western Cape at the moment is climate change?
In March this year, the Western Cape Government hosted its first climate change indaba, focusing on a closer working relationship between the government and the private sector in addressing climate change challenges. With R3.5bn damage due to the 2023 floods, extensive storm damage to the coastlines and wildfires causing havoc, a climate change strategy was a priority. The Western Cape aims at being climate-resilient and as part of the global network, Under 2 Coalition, it shares a vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Because climate change’s impact can be felt much wider than stormy weather, the Western Cape’s Climate Change Framework includes strategies for job creation, participation of the Department of Health and Wellness in the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Programme, supporting the OneHealth global commitment as well as the SmartAgri Strategy. (Read more)
Last year, when asked about Franschhoek terroir, La Motte winemaker Edmund Terblanche joked that Franschhoek’s soil all landed up in Velddrif as the 2023 rain-induced mudslides against the slopes of the mountains framing our valley, caused extensive damage to vineyards washing soil into the Berg River. Terroir is about soil and climate and therefore a change in climate might have serious repercussions for the wine industry.
According to a paper presented at the Climate and Viticulture Congress in Stuttgart, “Quality, wine-producing regions are often found in narrow geographic niches. This puts them at greater risk from both short-term climate variability and longer-term climate change than other more broadacre crops.” Predictable conditions with manageable variances are ideal, but with climate change, conditions in vine growing areas are more erratic and puts significant pressure on winemakers to adapt. Other than the unpredictability of timing and volumes during the harvest, weather conditions have an effect on the wine’s acidity, alcohol, aromas, tannins, etc. (Read more) Droughts, floods and smoke taint from wild fires are further climate change hazards affecting that glass of wine we so enjoy.
But can it be that our industry contributes to climate change? Most forms of production have an effect on the environment and can contribute to climate change. Fuels used during harvest time and the manufacturing of glass bottles seem to be the two processes in wine production with the most CO2 emissions. Farmers who depend on nature, weather and climate to such a large degree, have a big responsibility too! What can we do to alleviate environmental pressures?
According to this ruedawine.com article, agriculture contributes 23% of greenhouse gasses and agroforestry is one way of mitigating this impact. This approach preaches biodiversity. Planting a variety of trees and plants and even introducing livestock can ensure a habitat for animals, more organic material and natural pesticides such as birds. Fortunately, biodiversity is one of the attributes of the Cape Winelands. The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) was registered as a non-profit company with UNESCO in 2007. It is South Africa’s 5th biosphere reserve and covers 322 032 ha in the Western Cape Winelands. This beautiful area with an elevation that ranges between 20m and 1860m above sea level celebrates biodiversity with the region’s mountains and valleys, famous fynbos, forests and a combination of rural towns, agricultural settlements and of course, wineries. One winery that serves as an example is the biodynamically certified Reyneke in Stellenbosch which operates free of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, using companion plants to break up compacted soil and absorb nitrogen while ducks catch pests in the vineyards and fertilise the soil. Many other wineries are committed to similar principles and our industry can be commended for its commitment to environmental efforts. Do read more about the SA wine industry’s WWF Conservation Champions.
Planting grape varieties better suited to changing conditions also relieves climate pressure, while winemakers can make better and more sustainable decisions when using technology and artificial intelligence for timeous predictions about water levels and vine health, for instance. As traditional terroir is challenged by climate change, other areas, previously deemed unsuitable, might also become an option and opportunity for wine grape farming.
One might argue that it is only a hard winter, something that we have had since the earliest time of explorers when the Cape of Storms got its name. But the regularity of extreme conditions and the research we have access to today, make a point we can’t ignore. Perhaps those trees that stood securely for many years that are now toppling due to the combination of very wet soils and strong winds, make it more of a reality for us? When the road is closed due to a fallen tree, the park is more sunny than shady and your roof or electricity lines are damaged by flying branches, we can’t ignore it anymore. As wineries and individuals, we should take note, start making changes and plant new trees!