ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → World Problems

Climate change affecting wheat and corn yields

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
May 6, 2011
in World Problems
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Global warming has lowered the global yield of crops with up to 5% since 1980; not for soybeans, or tomatoes, or etc, but for wheat and corn – which are probably the most important crops.

A global problem

The study, which was published in the journal Science, states that the corn production has gone up since 1980, but it would have gone up even more, with 3.8%, if it hadn’t been for global warming, while wheat suffered a 5.5% decline.

“Climate changes are already exerting a considerable drag on yield growth,” the paper says.

The situation, of course, differs from place to place. In France, for example, the crop yield has not risen since 1990, and global warming is the main reason why this is happening, the study concluded. Wheat crops were hit dramatically in Russia, where they dropped with a shocking 15%, as well as in Mexico and Turkey. China isn’t doing much better either, reporting a drop in corn yields.

For soybeans and rice, the situation hasn’t changed almost at all, because warming some areas produced less crops, while warming other areas produced more crops, thus balancing it all out.

Fields and global warming

Researchers developed two separate models, one that simulated the situation as it happened until today, and one in which temperatures were the same, ignoring the effects of global warming. Another extremely interesting fact was that America was the least affected by these changes.

RelatedPosts

We’re cooked on climate: 2024 virtually certain to be the hottest year on record
The biggest impact to reducing your carbon footprint is having fewer children
The oceans are getting so hot it’s harming octopus vision
It’s not just CO2. We urgently have to tackle methane emissions

“Pretty much the rest of the world in terms of major agriculture producers have seen remarkable warming,” David Lobell, of Stanford University’s Dept. of Environmental Earth System Science and one of the paper’s authors, said in a Science podcast. “It looks like the United States, Canada and northern Mexico are outliers in terms of unusually stable weather over the last 30 years temperature-wise compared to the rest of the world.”

Even though this is yet another display of global warming negatively affecting our society, it shouldn’t be said that it is the biggest reason why the agricultural situation isn’t so good, especially in some places. Climate isn’t the predominant driver of change over time, in terms concerning crop production. In the 20th century, temperatures have risen on a global scale, with 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. However, the growth rate is anticipated to increase in the next 20 to 30 years.

Tags: climate changeglobal warming

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Climate

Climate Change Unleashed a Hidden Wave That Triggered a Planetary Tremor

byMihai Andrei
2 weeks ago
Champiñón Hongos Naturaleza Setas Reino Fungi
Animal facts

What do Fungi, Chameleons, and Humans All Have in Common? We’re all Heterotrophs

byShiella Olimpos
1 month ago
Climate

Climate Change Is Rewriting America’s Gardening Map and Some Plants Can’t Keep Up

byGrace van Deelen
1 month ago
Climate

Scientists Create “Bait” to Lure Baby Corals Back to Dying Reefs

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago

Recent news

Your gut has a secret weapon against ‘forever chemicals’: microbes

July 3, 2025

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

July 3, 2025

Newborns Feel Pain Long Before They Can Understand It

July 3, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.