Falling rice yields viewed as an early sign global warming in Japan

[highplainsdem]

Source: KRT Wire

TOKYO - The latest report by a U.N. panel on climate change may have focused on future dangers, but some of the problems it warns of have already been witnessed in Japan and other parts of the world.

The fourth evaluation report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, adopted by the United Nations on Friday, warned that many people will have to dramatically change their way of life as extreme temperatures and drought could affect many parts of the world.

"I feel Kyushu may be turning into a subtropical region," said Shozo Koga, a 51-year-old farmer in Isahaya, a major rice producing area in Nagasaki Prefecture.

Koga grows vegetables and rice on the same farmland during the course of the year, but still has to take on a side job to supplement his income. "I can no longer live on the rice I'm able to produce," he said.



Read more: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/world/17043811.htm

[cliss]

1. Not good.

Combine the warming trends with the shortage of water = recipe for disaster.
I'm assuming Asia will be hit really hard with the upcoming changes. Also Africa. They're already dealing with desertification that's creeping into the cities. Really bad.
Unfortunately, nothing will be done until it's almost too late.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. almost too late for us

far to late for millions. :(

[KansDem]

14. Yet Kerry and Gingrich are going to "debate" climate change...

And "Clueless" the Chimp still resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

[symbolman]

3. Interesting

I was BORN there on the Island of Kyushu.. in Fukoaka.. had a hell of time SPELLING the name of that town as a little kid, got in a LOT of trouble for my misspellings :)

Too bad, I've always dreamed about going back there some day and seeing where I was born, but since I don't speak Japanese, and am a white guy, and with the weather screwing things up, I don't know how much fun it would end up being..

Was supposed to be one of the earliest places where the Art of creating pots was achieved..

[lovuian]

4. Most of Japan will be under water as well as England

its a sad state of affairs

[symbolman]

5. That will make Gozilla

Very ANGRY :)

Really sad, hadn't thought about it, you're right, the SURF will be UP, in Boulder Colorado..

[ohio2007]

7. I doubt Mt Fuji will be a coral reef

So I'll take that bet if your giving odds
lol

[stormymonday]

16. Japan is mostly 'rugged and mountainous'

so only the coastal plains are threatened by rising sea levels.

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/ja.html

Unfortunately, that is where most of the people live.

[Lisa]

23. and the agriculture too

Between the sea level rise, and the expected flooding due to increased precip and snowmelt -- I suspect a lot of farmland, and housing/infrastructure too, is going to be affected.

[psychopomp]

24. You still spell it wrong ;)

It's "Fukuoka" and yes, you will have a nice time if you come to Kyushu. The weather is fine and you will find lots of foreigners in Kyushu these days, English speaking white guys included.

[ohio2007]

6. Whats with the mini ice age hitting the US this weekend ?

kinda hard to believe in global warming with so much lake effect snow on the ground April 8th.

Chilly Augusta brings out ear muffs and mittens

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyid=2007-04-07T184135Z_01_L07080308_RTRUKOC_0_US-GOLF-MASTERS-FANS.xml&src=rss&rpc=22



http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070408/D8OC46200.html
But people will argue the reason it's so cold in April is bc of global warming....

I'm waiting for the 70's experts who predicted "mini Ice Age" soon to get on the soap box
LOL

[jpak]

8. Weather isn't climate - and warmer weather preceding this snap caused crops

to be more vulnerable.

Also, no "experts" predicted a "mini Ice Age" in the 1970's - that's RW claptrap.

Nice try though...

[closeupready]

22. Actually, during the blizzards of 77 and 78, there were

discussions in the media about a possible coming Ice Age. But that's a side discussion anyway. Peace.

[Amonester]

10. I wonder what part of "extreme temperatures" they don't understand.

as in "extreme temperatures and drought"

that looks just like extreme temperatures to moi

don't worry (or worry, indeed), by mid-July we'll be back in the drought section for a longer period than last year...

[hatrack]

11. I keep beating the drum - "Climate Breakdown" or "Climate Destabilization"

MUCH more accurate & descriptive than "global warming".

[kestrel91316]

12. Global warming >>>>>> climate destabilization, worse extremes,

more bizarre weather.

But I'm pretty sure you knew that.

Belated welcome to DU. Enjoy your brief stay.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

20. those 70's 'experts' were never peer reviewed... unlike the 90%

of scientists who agree on Climate change now.

[jpak]

9. Demographics will cause Japan's population to decline by 30% by 2050

maybe they can beat this...

:shrug:

[Jcrowley]

13. Not good

Good posts here. Hope more see it and ACT UP!

K&R

Your life is in danger.

[slackmaster]

15. They're going to have to start importing more

Cut tariffs, ease off on the import quotas that have been protecting Japanese rice farmers (and keeping prices artificially high) for decades.

[ohio2007]

18. Rice farming is only about pride in Japan.

They like to tell themselves they are self sufficient with the staple crop.
Farmers will sell the land if the subsidies are taken away.

[slackmaster]

19. Another problem they face is a shortage of farmers

Very few young Japanese people want to get into it now.

[ohio2007]

17. The Australian Desert And Climate Change:

Things down under are in for a change;
The Australian desert is receiving more rain than ever. It's a trend that scientists expect to continue.

http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian-desert.html


http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s1836624.htm

[NickB79]

21. Yes, but it remains a desert

From your first link:

"Does the increased rain in the Australian desert mean the red Australian Outback is turning green? Maybe... but certainly not as fast as the previously greener parts of Australia are turning brown."

snip

"It's the edge of the Tanami desert. In the last 50 years the rainfall in Giles has doubled. No doubt, an increase from 150 mm to 300 mm means that we are still talking about a desert."

So, the rainfall that used to maintain fields in the smaller farming band of Australia is now shifting north, and in the process spreading out over a much larger area of land. The farming regions turn to dry grasslands and semi-desert, while the desert improve to semi-desert and dry grasslands. Nothing to be too happy about, I'm afraid.