Intercontinental crop losses caused by pollution

Ozone pollution generated in North America caused Europe to lose 1.2 million tonnes of wheat a year, according to a new study.

The research, conducted by the University of Leeds in the UK, found that fossil fuels are damaging crop growths of wheat, maize, soybean, cotton, potato and rice not only locally, but also travelling thousands of miles downwind.

The new research reflects the importance of international strategies to curb carbon emissions. The 2009 Copenhagen summit, which fell apart without agreement was a reflection of the struggles faced in finding a unilateral agreement on climate change. Kirsty Hughes, of the Huffington Post, believes the more recent 2011 Durban summit, which made a breakthrough to agree to aim at a global deal, suggests movement (even if so far not enough) is possible.

Dr Steve Arnold, a senior lecturer in atmospheric composition at the University of Leeds' School of Earth and Environment commented that: "Our findings demonstrate that air pollution plays a significant role in reducing global crop productivity, and show that the negative impacts of air pollution on crops may have to be addressed at an international level rather than through local air quality policies alone."

Posted by Joseph Hutton