Climate Change Threatens Apple Orchards in Korea
Climate change is drastically impacting agriculture in Korea, causing significant damage to apple orchards and other fruit production areas. The rapid subtropicalization of the Korean Peninsula is making farming increasingly challenging, leading to higher volatility in agricultural prices and threatening the livelihoods of farmers.
Severe Impact on Apple Trees
Yoon In-seop, an apple farmer in Cheongsong, North Gyeongsang Province, has seen 10% of his apple trees dry up this year. The warmer-than-usual winter caused the trees to absorb excess moisture, which then froze during an unexpected cold snap in February, killing many trees. This phenomenon is a direct result of the Korean Peninsula's accelerated warming.
Rapid Warming in Korea
The Korea Meteorological Administration reports that from 1912 to 2020, Korea's average annual temperature rose by 0.2 degrees Celsius every decade, three times faster than the global average. The surface water temperature increase rate was 2.6 times the global average. This rapid warming is causing abnormal climates, such as extreme heat waves, heavy rains, and typhoons, which damage agricultural products nationwide.
Shrinking Fruit Production Areas
The area of open-field apple cultivation in Korea has decreased by 35.4% over the past 30 years. Pear and grape cultivation areas have also significantly declined. This reduction in fruit production areas is exacerbating supply and demand issues, especially for items with import restrictions like apples.
Rise of Subtropical Crops
While traditional fruit production areas are shrinking, the cultivation of subtropical crops like mangoes, papayas, bananas, and coffee has tripled over the past three years. However, these crops still represent a small fraction of the overall fruit production and cannot replace the main fruits like apples, pears, and grapes.
Future Climate Influence on Agriculture
The Bank of Korea estimates that a 1-degree rise in the monthly average temperature above the long-term average could increase agricultural prices by 2% and overall consumer prices by 0.7% within a year. The volatility in agricultural prices, due to the narrow land area and frequent abnormal climates, significantly impacts consumer perception and living costs.
Expert Recommendations
To stabilize agricultural prices, experts suggest the government should improve its ability to monitor supply and demand and promote capital-intensive agriculture like smart farms. Strengthening support for facility investments and converting reservoir management systems to focus on flood prevention are also recommended to mitigate climate impacts. Adjusting minimum wage policies for farm workers could help lower production costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How is climate change affecting apple orchards in Korea? A1: Climate change is causing warmer winters and unexpected cold snaps, leading to moisture absorption and freezing in apple trees, which kills them.
Q2: Why is the Korean Peninsula warming faster than the global average? A2: The Korean Peninsula's annual temperature rise is 0.2 degrees Celsius every decade, three times the global average, due to its geographic and climatic conditions.
Q3: What are subtropical crops, and why are they increasing in Korea? A3: Subtropical crops include mangoes, papayas, bananas, and coffee. Their cultivation is increasing as the Korean climate becomes more suitable for these crops due to global warming.
Q4: How does climate change affect agricultural prices? A4: Abnormal climates cause fluctuations in agricultural production, leading to increased prices due to reduced supply and higher volatility.
Q5: What measures can help stabilize agricultural production and prices? A5: Improving supply and demand monitoring, promoting smart farms, investing in agricultural facilities, adjusting wage policies for farm workers, and updating reservoir management systems can help stabilize production and prices.
Climate Change Devastates Korean Apple Orchards: A Call for Action
Climate change is having a profound impact on agriculture in Korea, particularly on apple orchards. Yoon In-seop, an apple farmer in North Gyeongsang Province, has seen 10% of his trees dry up due to the rapid subtropicalization of the Korean Peninsula. Warmer winters followed by unexpected cold snaps are killing trees and making farming increasingly difficult.
Korea is warming three times faster than the global average, causing frequent abnormal climates that damage agricultural products. The area of apple cultivation has decreased by 35.4% in the past 30 years, exacerbating supply and demand issues. Although the cultivation of subtropical crops like mangoes and bananas is on the rise, these cannot replace the main fruits like apples and grapes.
Experts suggest that to stabilize agricultural prices, the government should enhance its monitoring capabilities and promote smart farming techniques. Strengthening support for agricultural investments and updating reservoir management systems are also crucial. Adjusting minimum wage policies for farm workers could help lower production costs.
Understanding the connection between climate change and agricultural volatility is essential for driving policy changes and supporting sustainable practices.
#ClimateChange #AgricultureCrisis #SustainableFarming #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalImpact
