By Abigail Hill, Sustainable Plant Systems major
The melting of glaciers, the rise of the oceans, and the potential depreciation of land are all serious concerns surrounding global warming. The evidence of global warming is showing proof through the extinction of various species and populations, along with the changes in the weather.
The effects that the warming could have on land include changes in favorable countries and increased growing seasons. If the glaciers melt, the oceans will rise, flooding beaches and land along the coast. Already warm regions, will become inhabitable, leading to an increase of population in other regions. This influx of people, will create the need for more living areas, as well as more food. In agriculture, this global climate change reduces freezes, creating a longer growing period. This longer season, allows for increase in growth and production.
The warming of the environment will cause the glaciers to melt, causing the sea level to rise. The biggest fear related to climate change and water is that rainfall will shift from the agricultural regions to the oceans and deserts. This will decrease production and increase food prices. This lack of fresh water might lead to dehydration and starvation due to decreased production in agriculture. According to the treasury office of the UK, if we do not adapt, global warming could reduce the gross domestic production from the world economy by 20 percent. These adaptations include trying to find ways to slow, or manage, warming. This also includes finding new ways to deal with the new climate in everyday life.
The land available for agriculture could be affected in many ways. For one, the land used in agriculture today, might not be favorable for crops if global warming continues, but other regions may become more favorable for growth. Secondly, if there is a lack of water and longer growing period, plant production might suffer. The variety of crops the world produces might also have to adapt depending what will grow in the new climate.
One cannot deny that the world is warming, and we as the agriculture industry need to start developing new ways to grow crops.
About the Author:
Abigail Hill is a student at The Ohio State University, majoring in Sustainable Plant Systems: Agronomy, with a minor in Agricultural Systems Management. She is the Vice President of the Ducks Unlimited club on campus. She was born and raised on a family farm in central Ohio. She is currently working as an Ohio State Extension Intern in Pickaway and Madison Counties.
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This blog post was an assignment for Societal Issues: Pesticides, Alternatives and the Environment (PLNTPTH 4597). The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the class, Department of Plant Pathology or the instructor.