The disastrous effects of climate change may soon take their toll on corn crops, as warming temperatures will cause sharp increases in corn-hungry insects according to a study at Purdue University. The United States is the largest producer of corn in the world and large scale crop failure caused by the pests would be both environmentally and economically devastating.
The production of petroleum based fertilizers and pesticides that conventional farms use to increase yields and fight these very pests, is one of the major contributors to climate change, so their attempts to control nature with chemistry could potentially, and not surprisingly, lead to their failure. It’s a frightening prospect to consider such large-scale crop failure, but one that should encourage major shifts to organic farming practices that combat pests without causing contributing to climate change.
takepart by supporting organic farmers near you with the Eat Well Guide and takepart by learning how you can help solve the climate crisis.
Related: Inconvenient Truth of the Day
Photo: thetrapezium’s Flickr Photostream (Creative Commons)
CATEGORIES: Environment
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