Extreme weather( like storms) can damage trees, crops, and other plants, no doubt, we see that all the time in the news. What many probably haven’t thought of is that they also make the plants more vulnerable to pests and disease.

One example in my life is the state forest near our cabin in Berkshires, Massachusetts is getting chopped down and thinner every day in the past decades. The main reason is the populated Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an insect (pic as below). In the U.S., millions of trees have been lost to the insect.



Another impact of weather change is that warmer temperatures, particularly during winter, enable some pest species to survive and multiply, for example the case study in UK about the early flight of peach-potato aphids.


In the spring and early summer, winged forms of this pest disperse into a range of important crops like potatoes, where they spread viruses. Early season flight can introduce aphid infestations into young developing crops, which are especially vulnerable to damage and disease.
To address this problem, the UK Met Office is trying to evolve developments in weather and climate science to advise farmers on the likely date of pest attacks in particular seasons.

While trying to mitigate the potential damages of climate change, we have to be aware of the root problem: decarbonization.


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26 w
It's cool that the UK Met Office is using science to help farmers predict pest attacks, but we've gotta do more to stop climate change at its source.
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29 w
Dear Vermeer Xie Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to UK Met Office by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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29 w
The Met Office is leveraging advancements in weather and climate science to forecast pest attacks, aiding farmers in mitigating crop damage, crucial in the face of climate change challenges. It's a nice way to cushion them from severe effects
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29 w
The impact of climate change on plant health is evident, with cases like the Emerald Ash Borer decimating forests and warmer temperatures enabling pests to thrive.
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29 w
@princess_nel_268 And putting in consideration the extinction of some plant varieties, we really should take the problem seriously. The warmer these temperatures get, the harder for vegetation to thrive it will be
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29 w
The UK met office doing a phenomenal job with climate change mitigation.
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29 w
Love the work by the UK Met Office 🇬🇧 to help farmers predict these pest attacks. We need more of this kind of proactive approach.
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29 w
Disruptions to the delicate balance of natural ecosystems can lead to greater plant vulnerability, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to sustainable agricultural and environmental management.
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29 w
This is quite encouraging seeing the UK met office try to mitigate the potential damage of Change...this also give a clear indication of the effects of climate change.
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29 w
@jane_wangui It also serves as a reminder to other MET departments that they can always do more and are expected to do more. They shouldn't limit themselves and funding should be well provided