Right, Our World In Data, Climate Change Is Increasing Crop Yields, Concern About Future Decline Is Unwarranted
By
H. Sterling Burnett
November 5, 2024
Our World In Data (OWID) ran a series of articles by Hannah Ritchie which explores the impact of climate change on crop production. On balance the stories get the facts straight, pointing out that yields of key staple crops have increased dramatically, in large part due to the CO2 fertilization effect and modestly warmer temperatures; however, parts of the stories stray into speculation that some crops have increased less than they would have and that they will decline in the future because of climate change. The latter claims are mistaken, based on disputed computer model outputs and unjustified beliefs about crop responses to modest temperature increases, not experience or data, which is what OWID should stick to.
Ritchie’s series of articles, “Crop yields have increased dramatically in recent decades, but crops like maize would have improved more without climate change,” “How will climate change affect crop yields in the future?,” and “Climate change will affect food production, but here are the things we can do to adapt,” are by and large well written, data driven pieces describing the current beneficial impact of climate change on crop production, and the tremendous potential of wider penetration of modern agricultural technologies into developing countries to increase production further. The only flaws in the articles are where she cites unverified studies depending upon flawed climate model projections to speculate concerning what might have happened to some crops absent warmer temperatures, and what might happen in the future.
Ritchie’s series starts off on solid ground noting the tremendous growth in cereal crops and regionally important staple crops. Ritchie writes:
https://climaterealism.com/2024/11/right-our-world-in-data-climate-change-is-increasing-crop-yields-concern-about-future-decline-is-unwarranted/
