Alarmists predict ‘climate change’ will cause forests, cropland and rangeland to decline. The opposite is true
By Dr. Susan Crockford, Heritage Institute, Nov. 7, 2024
Contrary to predictions that changes in climate are going to cause forest, cropland, and rangeland productivity to decline over time, recent data show that the known fertilizing effect of additional carbon dioxide (CO2)—which is literally food for plants—has offset many of the predicted adverse effects by enhancing drought tolerance and plant growth.
From record harvests for virtually all crops in recent years and a flat, long-term trend in forest fires, real observations show that innovations in crop genetics, pest control, and water management, in addition to modifications of timber harvest and fire-suppression practices, are mitigating the predicted adverse effects of increased greenhouse gases and ensuring the future productivity of these ecosystems.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Crop yields have increased steadily since 1960 because of the development of drought-tolerant varieties, better irrigation, and the fertilizing effects of CO2.
Evidence from the western U.S. shows that reduced logging and increased fire suppression are largely responsible for the apparent increase in wildfire severity.
Increased forest pest infestation is largely due to restricted timber harvests and greater suppression of small and moderate-size fires, not warmer temperatures.
Susan Crockford is a zoologist and evolutionary biologist. For the full version of this paper from the Heritage Institute, click here.