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- First published climate risk analysis of global cotton production
- By 2040, if carbon emissions remain high, half of the world’s cotton growing areas will face extreme high temperatures, changes in water supply and extreme weather events
- The Cotton 2040 Initiative calls on industry participants to take urgent and interconnected climate adaptation and mitigation actions, with climate justice at the core.
London, June 23, 2021 (Global News Agency)-The first global analysis of the climate risk of global cotton production shows that uncontrolled climate change may expose half of the world’s cotton growing areas to higher temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and to 2040 Extreme weather events of the year.
title “Adapting to Climate Change-Physical Risk Assessment of Global Cotton Production”The analysis was commissioned by the Cotton 2040 initiative, which was promoted by the International Sustainable Development Non-profit Organization Future Forum and supported by the Lauder Foundation. The analysis was conducted by Cotton 2040 partner and climate risk expert Acclimatise, which is part of the Willis Towers Watson Climate and Resilience Center.
In the worst climate scenario, the analysis emphasizes that by 2040, all cotton growing areas in the world will face an increased risk of at least one climate disaster. Although this increased risk ranges from very low to very high, half of the world’s cotton growing areas will face drastic changes, with high or very high risk exposure to at least one climate hazard.
Other key findings include:
- All six countries with the highest cotton production—India, the United States, China, Brazil, Pakistan, and Turkey—are facing increasing climate risks, especially from wildfires, droughts, and extreme rainfall.
- Two regions of the world are expected to have the highest overall climate risk; northwestern Africa, including northern Sudan and Egypt, and western and southern Asia.
- Some regions will face high or very high risks of up to seven types of climate disasters
- In 75% of cotton growing areas, the risk of cotton exposure to heat stress (defined as a temperature higher than 40°C) will increase, and in less than 5% of areas the risk is high or very high.
- As the temperature rises beyond the optimal temperature range for cotton cultivation, it is expected that 40% of the world’s cotton growing areas will experience a reduction in the growing season.
- Water shortages and extreme rainfall, from shortages in some areas to extremes and more intense in other areas, will bring greater risks to the cotton-growing areas with the highest yields in the world. This will put additional pressure on fibers that have been under scrutiny for their water footprint, affect production, and may cause conflict and social unrest.
- The increased risk of drought will affect approximately 50% of cotton.
- By 2040, 20% of the world’s cotton-growing areas will face greater risk of river floods, and 30% of the cotton-growing areas will face greater risks of landslides.
- All cotton growing areas will face greater risk of wildfires.
- 60% of cotton will face a greater risk of destructive wind speed, and as many as 10% of cotton will face a greater risk of storms.
Sally Uren, CEO of Future Forum, said: “This analysis has sounded the alarm for the cotton industry. At present, most of the apparel industry is very dependent on the cotton industry. In order to establish a For a resilient future, the broad shift in cotton production to a sustainable form must be supported by ambitious concerted action to reduce carbon emissions while also preparing the industry to operate in a completely different world.”
Alastair Baglee, Director of Willis Tower Watson Corporate-Climate and Resilience Center said: “As far as the current situation is concerned, most countries have failed to meet their emission reduction commitments and targets, which means that global warming may exceed 3°C. By the end of this century. How much success we have achieved in decarbonization, we will all face decades of inevitable climate change and destruction. If we are to limit the impact, today’s preparations are crucial…
The full story on Benzinga.com
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