06-07-2008, 12:16 AM
[quote davester][quote karsen]Crops grow better in the heat than the cold. Colder temperatures and longer winters would mean less food for everyone.
Where were you when science and US history classes were in session? Ever heard of "desertification" or "the dust bowl"? Crops respond primarily to solar energy, water availability and nutrients. Cold only enters the equation in any significant way if freezing temperatures start to shorten the growing season at northern latitudes (not where most food production comes from). Warming the climate won't do anything to alter solar energy input, but it will help reduce the availability of water, perhaps on a massive scale. There is little doubt that continued global warming will cause even more significant droughts and crop failures than it has already.
Thanks Mr Wizard, I was joking.
Where were you when science and US history classes were in session? Ever heard of "desertification" or "the dust bowl"? Crops respond primarily to solar energy, water availability and nutrients. Cold only enters the equation in any significant way if freezing temperatures start to shorten the growing season at northern latitudes (not where most food production comes from). Warming the climate won't do anything to alter solar energy input, but it will help reduce the availability of water, perhaps on a massive scale. There is little doubt that continued global warming will cause even more significant droughts and crop failures than it has already.
Thanks Mr Wizard, I was joking.