A new study from Washington State University warns that climate change is having a significant impact on apple production in the United States. Researchers analyzed 40 years of climate data and found that five out of six metrics were showing trends that could lead to reduced yields, lower sweetness, and changes in color.
The top-producing regions for apples – Yakima in Washington, Kent in Michigan, and Wayne in New York – are already experiencing harm from climate change, with the number of cold degree days, chill portions, and extreme heat days all on the rise. This could lead to decreased quality and marketability of apples.
US apple production is not only a significant source of food for Americans but also a major export, earning billions of dollars each year. If yields are reduced due to climate change, it will increase costs for consumers.
To mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture, researchers are exploring adaptations such as netting and evaporative cooling to protect apples from sunburn. However, reducing pollution is seen as the most effective way to address the root causes of climate change, which is having a devastating impact on farmers.
The study’s author, Deepti Singh, emphasizes that we should not take the abundance of delicious apples for granted and urges us to think about adaptations at different stages of apple growth. By reducing our pollution, we can slow down the extreme weather patterns affecting farmers, who are crucial to food security.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-raise-alarm-future-production-110015452.html