Climate change has caused a loss of approximately eight winter days annually in Spain, affecting 62% of provinces. León is the most impacted, while areas like Santa Cruz de Tenerife have seen no losses. The changing climate poses risks to fruit crops reliant on cold periods, emphasizing the need for action against climate change.
Climate change significantly impacts seasonal weather patterns, with Spain experiencing a reduction of approximately eight winter days annually. Over the past decade, a notable 62% of Spanish provinces (32 out of 52) have reported a loss of at least one week of winter. Notably, León remains the most affected province, where winter temperatures now exceed 0°C for 60 days each year, with 17 attributed to climate change. At the other end of the spectrum, regions like Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the Balearic Islands have seen no notable losses due to their generally warm winters. Catalonia’s Lleida province has the most considerable loss, with eleven days fewer than observed previously. Furthermore, the changing climate patterns are reshaping ecosystems and agricultural practices, particularly impacting fruits such as cherries and peaches that rely on cold dormancy periods.
Climate change poses a severe threat to seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, having diminished the duration of winter across various nations. A recent study by Climate Central investigated 123 countries and 901 cities between 2014 and 2023, measuring the impact of climate change on the number of winter days with temperatures below freezing. The findings revealed that many countries, including Spain, are losing winter days significantly, which poses risks to freshwater replenishment, pest control, and agricultural productivity.
The reduction in winter duration due to climate change is a grave concern that affects the ecological balance as well as agricultural viability in Spain and other affected regions. With more than half of the provinces seeing significant losses in winter days, the agricultural sector faces increasing challenges in maintaining suitable conditions for essential crops. This ongoing trend highlights the urgent need for a concerted effort towards fossil fuel phase-out to mitigate climate change effects.
Original Source: www.lavanguardia.com
