We will see global warming not only on thermometers, but also on our table. Scientists from the British MetOffice (analogue of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia) have compiled a map of climate change - with a forecast until the end of the XXI century.
The map is not quite ordinary. Well, who are you surprised today by the fact that in a hundred years the average temperature on Earth will rise by another degree or two? She rides every day! But scientists have calculated how these extra degrees will affect everyday life. Agriculture, fishing, winemaking, export and import of products will look completely different. Our food, our favorite resorts - in short, very, very much …
We have added the calculations of Roshydromet specialists to the map of the British - they have compiled a report on the macroeconomic impact of climate change in our country for the period up to 2030 and beyond, as well as research by scientists from other countries.
Russia: more grain and … locusts
An obvious household plus of global warming for Russia is a reduction in the heating season, which can be used to save fuel and electricity. In the warmest winter of the 21st century (2006-2007), utilities and enterprises spent 120 million tons of fuel less than usual, which is $ 30 billion! Eh, if it were still reflected in our bills for housing and communal services …
True, in retaliation, we risk getting ruinous electricity bills - we turn on air conditioners more often. In the abnormally sultry summer of 2010, an extra billion dollars were spent on them nationwide.
There is another problem: houses wear out faster and require frequent repairs. Because in the new climate in autumn, winter and spring, the temperature now and then jumps through zero - sometimes a plus, then a minus. And this quickly destroys materials.
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Farming benefits: vegetables, fruits and cereals have more time to produce fruits. You can grow fruitful, albeit more capricious, varieties. And in warm winters, southern plants will survive in the middle lane. In the world as a whole, due to global warming, grain harvests will be lower, and in Russia, on the contrary, higher - this is the conclusion of the experts of Roshydromet.
At least until 2060 - 2070, climatic changes play into the hands of our farmers. Especially in the European part of Russia, north of the 50th parallel (approximately at this latitude Belgorod, Saratov, Volgograd lie). By 2040, there - and to the north - grain will be grown 20-30 percent more.
The northern border of agriculture will reach the coast of the Arctic Ocean. And the area where agriculture is efficient will increase 4-5 times. Moreover, regions will appear where it is possible to grow cotton, as in Central Asia, and subtropical fruits, as in Abkhazia or Turkey. Inhabitants of the North Caucasus can become cotton growers. Tangerines, peaches, figs, pomegranates will be collected on the Lower Volga! Subtropical crops, by the way, also include olives, persimmons, magnolias and palms …
Of the minuses - aphids, locusts, Colorado potato beetle and other pests feel great in the warmth. Locusts will reach Yakutia, Chita and Omsk! Ticks will spread far to the north. The climate of the northern regions is becoming milder and more humid - just right for pests.
In the south of European Russia, the Southern Urals and Southern Siberia, dust storms bringing sand from deserts and semi-deserts will become a sign of climate change. And in the very north, warming threatens intestinal disorders! The water supply and sewerage systems were built there with the expectation of permafrost. But the ice is melting, the pipes may not withstand …
Europe: tourists from the Mediterranean will flee to Sochi
In Europe, the production of wheat and other cereals will grow. Rains and floods will decrease in the mainland. In Britain, on the other hand, downpours and floods will intensify.
The Mediterranean Sea will become too hot even for a beach holiday. But in the Black Sea, by 2030, the climate will be the same as it is in Antalya, according to Roshydromet. So it makes sense to invest in the Black Sea resorts - there is a chance to attract tourists there from Turkey or Cyprus. The changing climate will help.
A similar picture is with ski resorts. In the Alps, it is unstable with snow, winter does not fall into winter. Every decade, the trend is strengthening, by the end of the century, a third of the alpine slopes will remain without snow. Fans of extreme sports will exchange their usual Alps for the winter resorts of Sweden, Norway and Finland. And Russia. Skiing in the Khibiny and Elbrus region is guaranteed, the matter is in comfort and infrastructure.
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Middle East and North Africa: water scarcity
Israel, Egypt and the Emirates are already hot and dry, but temperatures in the region will rise markedly. And the moisture will be even less. The Middle East is facing real stress due to water scarcity, climatologists predict MetOffice. Wheat and other products will have to be imported - from Canada and the USA, as well as from Russia and South America.
India: famine
Less wheat and corn will be grown here. Rice is bigger than it is now. But not enough to feed the country's rapidly growing population. Tropical cyclones will become more powerful and more likely to destroy crops, as will floods. A huge subcontinent with a billion and not rich population will become the center of food insecurity.
Asian countries: less fish
Fishing crisis awaits. And this will affect not only the Chinese and the Japanese: Russian supermarkets are now full of fish from the southern seas. And soon Asia will buy fish … But the yields of rice - the main food for Asians - will be higher.
USA and Canada: rice instead of corn
Wheat, rice and soybeans will grow better - despite the fact that North America is still the main importer of cereals. And the corn will start to wither, to the sadness of the Mexicans and all lovers of tortilla and nachos.
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Would you like some bread with iron?
Food will change the taste
Now they sell buns with raisins. And in a few decades we will be able to see on the price tags … a loaf with zinc or Borodino with iron! The fact is that wheat, rye, rice, corn and other cereals will contain fewer microelements important for the body than they do now - these are the conclusions of Samuel Myers from Harvard. The more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to blame. The different chemical composition of the grains will make the bread taste unusual. And in order for the body to receive enough iron and zinc (they are especially important for expectant mothers and young children), you will have to add them separately.
Instead of Bordeaux - Scandinavian wine
Famous French wines may lose their popularity.
- It has become too hot and too sunny in Bordeaux. Because of this, the wine has more alcohol than a good merlot and cabernet sauvignon should have! - laments Marie-Sol de la Tour d'Auvergne, vice-president of the Fund for Parks and Gardens of France. So far, these are only subtle nuances that excite connoisseurs. But in the next century, the glory of French and Italian wines may become history. And the sommelier in the restaurant will ask: would you like Swedish wine? Or maybe the Volga? Locations that are now too cold for grapes will be ideal for winemakers thanks to global warming.
And the vine has already been brought to Altai, French experts have been invited. Local authorities are sure: the climate of the region is suitable for winemaking, a little more - and we will drink Barnaul wines …
The changes will also affect beer. In regions where barley is grown for the foamy drink, the climate will become drier, Australian climatologists warn. Farmers will have to spend money on irrigation or plant unpretentious genetically modified varieties. The first option will make the beer more expensive, the second will add starch to it, which will affect the taste.
Cod floats north
The most popular fish will soon leave the North Atlantic, where it has been caught by Russians, Norwegians and Icelanders for centuries, experts from the US Environmental Protection Agency warn. Where? Further north. Cod lives at temperatures no higher than +12.2 degrees. And by the end of the century, the ocean in normal cod fishing grounds will become warmer. Salmon also does not like overheating: it spawns at the wrong time and in the wrong places that are included in its genetic program.
Already, the snow crab has moved 150 miles north of its habitat, and halibut is following suit. Perhaps all this will lead to the prosperity of fishing on the Arctic coast of Russia: there will be less ice, and more cod and herring in polar waters.
And the oceans turn into sour cabbage soup - the acidity of the water rises (the World Ocean absorbs half of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). From which the shells of mollusks and oysters, consisting of calcium, are destroyed. It looks like fish and seafood lovers will have to look for new delicacies.