Growing food is getting tougher due to climate change

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Growing food in California is getting tougher because of climate change.

In Sacramento on Monday, scientists were discussing agriculture and changing weather patterns. Without a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, California could lose almost half of its farm land in the next 30 to 50 years. One of the biggest issues is with night time temperatures. Experts call them "the chill hours."

"If the chill hours change, what happens is you're not going to get a homogenous crop production and that puts a lot of strain on growers in terms of harvesting," said Amrith Gunasekara, Ph.D., from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Colder night temperatures are critical for grapes, walnuts, apricots, plums, most peaches and nectarines. Another issue is water. Rain is now coming at different times of the year and in different parts of California.

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food, climate change, 7 on your side, michael finney

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