Crazy climate, goodbye to 70% of honey.The vineyards move to the top, alien species arrive

Climate change is also causing shifts in crops:the olive tree arrived in the Akpi, the tomato in the Po Valley, the vineyards at the top.Meanwhile, in the South there is a boom in mangoes, avocados and bananas

ROME – Climate change has caused a 15% cut in the rice harvest this year, a 10% cut in wheat, a 60% for cherries and of 63% of pears while honey has fallen by 70% compared to last year and there has also been a decline in the harvest (-12%).This is what Coldiretti states in reference to the data processed by the European Copernicus Observatory according to which the first nine months were the hottest ever recorded on the planet with an average temperature 0.52 degrees higher than the historical average, driven by a month of September that was even 0.93 degrees hotter.

SEPTEMBER IS THE SECOND WARMEST EVER

An anomaly also recorded in Europe where the mercury column rose to a record level in September with 2.51 degrees higher than the historical average according to Copernicus while in Italy the month of September - underlines Coldiretti - is positioned as the second highest hot ever observed with one average temperature 3.1 degrees higher than the climatic average for the period 1991-2020 according to the experts of the Unimore Geophysical Observatory of Modena.

THE INVASION OF ALIEN SPECIES

Climate change has also triggered the invasion of dangerous alien species, from the Asian stink bug to the blue crab, from the chestnut wasp to Xylella, from red-eyed midge to the Asian hornet up to the Vespa velutina which attacks beehives, with overall damage of over a billion in the fields and in the seas, destroying crops and livestock.

THE TROPICALISING CLIMATE

“We are faced with – underlines Coldiretti – ad a clear tendency towards tropicalization with a higher frequency of violent demonstrations, seasonal shifts, short and intense rainfall and the rapid transition from heat to bad weather with devastating effects.

CROPS THAT CHANGE:VINEYARDS IN THE ALPS AND THE SOUTH IS MANGO BOOM

In addition to cutting crops, climate change is also modifying the distribution of crops along the Peninsula where - Coldiretti continues - olive cultivation in Italy has arrived close to the Alps, in the Po Valley today approximately half of the national production of tomatoes intended for preserves and durum wheat for pasta, typically Mediterranean crops, is cultivated, while the vineyards have even reached the peaks While in the south there is a boom for tropical crops, from avocado to mango to bananas.

Agriculture is the economic activity that more than any other experiences the consequences of climate change on a daily basis, but it is also the sector most committed to combating it - continues Coldiretti - it is about a new challenge for agricultural businesses who must interpret the innovations reported by climatology and the effects on crop cycles and water management.We need - concludes Coldiretti - investments also thanks to the PNRR for the maintenance, saving, recovery and regulation of water, a commitment to the diffusion of low consumption irrigation systems, but also research and innovation for the development of resistant crops".