A Google News search for the term “climate change” today turned up a story posted on HortiDaily claiming that climate change is causing great damage to Spain’s agricultural sector. Probably most Spanish farmers would be surprised by this claim as the data shows it to be false. Although farm yields and yields vary from year to year; Rising and falling with weather, pest outbreaks and crop prices, among other factors, data since 1990 show significant growth in production and crop production in Spain.
Author of the article HortiDaily, titled “Climate change has taken a toll on Spanish agriculture,” write, “[t]The agricultural sector is one of the driving forces of the Spanish economy…. But the agricultural sector is under threat from climate change, and rising temperatures could trigger a range of impacts with major consequences for the agricultural environment and the economy at large. “.
Citing a study by the Spanish farmers’ organization COAG, Hortidaily claims climate change is negatively impacting olive groves, vineyards and cereals, in particular. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) refute this claim. FAO data shows that, from 1990 to 2020 (see figure below):
- Olive production increased by almost 142% and production increased slightly by more than 90%.
- Grape production increased by 5%, even as the area devoted to grape production decreased, as production increased by almost 59%.
- Grain production increased by nearly 46% with a yield improvement of about 81%.
The evidence demonstrates that rather than climate change threatening the viability or profitability of the Spanish agricultural sector, moderate warming has improved the outlook for both.
Of course, as discovered in Climate Realism this, thisand thisFor example, what is true about crops grown in Spain is true for most countries and regions of the world.
Longer seasons, fewer end-of-season frosts and improved carbon dioxide fertilization have all contributed to regularly record-setting global crop yields, leading to massive reductions in hunger and malnutrition. most in human history. If it wants to serve its readers well, this is good news that HortiDaily should cover, rather than trying to instill fear about climate change.
H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D. is managing editor of Environment & Climate News and a research fellow in environmental and energy policy at the Heartland Institute. Burnett has worked at the National Center for Policy Analysis for 18 years, most recently as a senior fellow in charge of the NCPA’s environmental policy program. He has held various positions in public and professional policy organizations, including serving as a member of the Environmental and Natural Resources Task Force on the Texas e-Texas committee. Comptroller.
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