Fossil fuel emissions aren’t just driving climate change and worsening air quality, they’re also hurting crop yields enough to cause some $63 billion in annual losses in East Asia, scientists say.
With high levels of ozone pollution, China, South Korea and Japan are seeing diminished yields in wheat, rice, and maize, according toChina alone is losing a third of its potential wheat production and nearly a quarter of rice yields as ozone disrupts plant growth. That has worrying implications beyond the region, with Asia providing the majority of the world’s rice supply.
In the stratosphere, a layer of ozone protects the planet from ultraviolet radiation. But closer to Earth’s surface, ozone can harm plants and animals, including humans. - or 7.5 million hectares - from 2009 to 2019, according to a state land survey published in August last year. While Beijing has since drawn a “red line” to protect existing agricultural land, experts still anticipate the total to fall further by 2030.“In some parts of the world, ozone pollution is comparable to or even worse for crops than the other big stressors of heat, drought, and pests,” said Katrina Sharps, a spatial data analyst at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Ozone pollution causes $63 billion damage per year to East Asian cropsRising levels of ground-level ozone in China and nearby countries are having a big effect on the yields of staple crops such as wheat, rice and maize
Weiterlesen »
Powerful winter storm slams East Coast with heavy snow, whipping winds and freezing rainA powerful winter storm slammed the East Coast with heavy snow, freezing rain and whipping winds late Sunday into Monday. Throughout the coast, there were reports of widespread power outages and roads covered in a mix of snow and ice.
Weiterlesen »
1,200 US flights canceled Monday as winter storm pummels East CoastUS airlines have canceled more than 1,200 flights Monday as a powerful winter storm packing rain, sleet and snow slammed the East Coast on the holiday weekend and made travel difficult. On Sunday, roughly 3,000 flights were canceled.
Weiterlesen »
More than 215,000 people are still without power on the East CoastThe winter storm hits eastern US Monday after leaving its mark from Florida to Maine with tornadoes, freezing rain and snow. Follow here for the latest news.
Weiterlesen »
Winter storm whipping East Coast with snow, thunderstorms | AP NewsNEW YORK (AP) — A dangerous winter storm was bringing significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S. on Monday. A foot (30 centimeters) of snow was forecast for parts of New England, New York state, Ohio and Pennsylvania through Tuesday morning.
Weiterlesen »
East Coast Storm Leaves Thousands Without PowerA winter storm blanketed parts of the eastern U.S. with heavy snow, causing widespread travel disruption and knocking out power for more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
Weiterlesen »