Worldwide, January has never been as warm as this year since records began – and this is also noticeable in the Italian ski resorts. In addition to the lack of snow on the slopes, the hot winter will also have an impact on agriculture. Farmers are already warning of a ‘collapse of nature’.
According to the Italian Atmospheric and Climate Institute (ISAC), it is the warmest January since records began, with snow difficult to find even at 2,250 meters altitude.
Italy’s mountains have lost 30 days of snow in the past century. The lack of snow could become an economic problem for ski resorts. However, the decline in snowfall also has serious consequences for the preservation of Italy’s glaciers.
Farmers: “Hot winter causes nature to collapse”
Unseasonably mild weather and drought in Italy are also reducing harvests this winter and putting heavy pressure on agriculture. “A hot winter causes nature to collapse,” Coldiretti, Italy’s largest agricultural association, warned on Thursday. Some plants would bloom too early and be damaged if temperatures dropped.
The drought also threatened to disrupt sowing of grains, legumes and vegetables, which also affected livestock nutrition, the association said. “Italian agriculture is the part of the economy that feels the consequences of climate change every day more than any other,” Coldiretti said.
Farmers want more support from the government
The farmers’ association urged the Italian government to support measures for farmers forced to respond to the changing weather and its impact on crop cycles, water management and soil. Coldiretti called for greater commitment from institutions to support innovation, from Agriculture 5.0 with drones, robots and satellites to non-GMO green genetics.
Climate concerns, as well as low producer prices, rising costs and cheap imports, have led Italian farmers to join their counterparts across Europe in organizing mass protests to demand action from authorities. A large demonstration of farmers with their tractors is planned in Rome on Saturday.
The world experienced its warmest January on record, according to data released Thursday by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Italy already had a major heat wave last year.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
