Climate Change Takes Toll on Cotton Harvests, Driving Inflation
Climate Change causes spike in cotton prices
Image by DJI-Agras
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in the cotton industry. Extreme weather events linked to climate change have wreaked havoc on cotton harvests, particularly in top-producing countries contributing to rising inflation.
This year, the United States is expected to witness a nearly 30% drop in cotton yields, leading to potential price surges. The reliance on rainfall, rather than irrigation, in cotton farming regions like Texas poses a significant challenge amidst historic mega-droughts.
Similar scenarios of drought, extreme heat, rainfall, and pest infestation are affecting cotton crops in Brazil, India, and Pakistan. As global supplies dwindle, the spike in cotton prices is a concern for manufacturers of various products, including clothing, bedsheets, and diapers.
SOURCE: Marketplace - In cotton, you can see climate change’s contribution to inflation
Author: Savannah Maher
