England has a fledgling wine industry, although the cool climate limits local supply to under 1% of demand. By contrast, the southern seaboard of Australia has a rich history of fine wines. But global warming appears to have shifted the balance between these two countries. This is because England’s steadily warming climate may be responding to the Australian drought.
The Australian Drought May Have a Counterpoint in England
We hold the idea that Earth is a system. That is, there is so much heat, so much cold, so much moisture to distribute. In olden days before the industrial revolution, the seasons managed the balance between the hemispheres. But this is changing, and with it agriculture.
England’s vineyards have begun producing signature sparkling wines, perhaps as a counterpoint to the Australian drought. Champagnes, if we may call them that, that rival France’s finest. Trade association Wines of Britain told NBC News England was witnessing ‘the harvest of the century’. This follows an ‘exceptionally dry and sunny summer’.
Is This Good News, or a Forboding Trend?
The average temperature increased by 1.8% over the past 50 years in south east and south central England. NBC News adds this has brought temperatures closer to the average in the Champagne region in France.
The Australian drought in the south of that country has created a semi-vacuum in the global wine industry. These climate trends will affect employment in local economies. However climatologists suggest more disturbing news. If climate change rolls on as it well may do, then the English climate could become too hot for grape vines.
Perhaps we should take a different view on this. Our Earth was in climatic balance two centuries ago. Let’s make up our minds to get back to that point with solar, wind, and battery storage. Before we celebrate our first glass of fine English sparkling wine.
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Preview Image: Vineyard at Wyken in West Midlands
