Wine industry urged to help combat global warming
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AL GORE The worst effects of the climate crisis can be avoided if the winery industry acts quickly (Source: Bloomberg) |
Delivering the keynote address at the World Congress of Climate Change & Wine in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this year, Gore touched on issues such as climate change, the effects of carbon dioxide on the planet and the environmental challenges facing the wine industry.
"The wine industry must respond to the global warming crisis," he says.
The two-day conference, the second organised by the Wine Academy of Spain, attracted 350 participants from more than 40 countries.
Among the audience were winemakers, scientists, growers and industry executives from the world's largest wine-producing countries including France, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.
Gore reports that wineries are contributing to reducing greenhouse emissions by adopting environment friendly practices and becoming carbon neutral enterprises. However he warned that such initiatives needed to be implemented on a large scale worldwide.
Gore also answered questions on issues such as carbon sequestration, the economic and social implications of climate change, renewable energy and measures governments and companies can put in place in order to fight and adapt to global warming.
The speakers explained the nature of climate change, its effect on agriculture and more specifically its effect on vines and the options available to growers and winemakers.
Other presentations examined the carbon dioxide emissions generated during wine production and the various ways wineries can reduce their carbon footprint including carbon dioxide capture and storage.
International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) president Peter Hayes outlined the organisation's plans to fight climate change and raise awareness of environmental issues throughout the industry.
Cork producing company Amorim's director of marketing and communications Carlos de Jesus delivered an address titled ‘Natural Cork a wine industry contribution to sustainability'.
The presentation outlined cork's performance on sustainability grounds and explained how cork oak forests retain some 14-million tons of carbon dioxide a year.
Corticeira Amorim chairman and CEO António Amorim said he was pleased the company could contribute to the World Congress of Climate Change & Wine.
"The company is happy to be involved in this event as part of its efforts to preserve the environment and promote sustainable development," said Amorim.
He adds that the cork oak ecosystems of the Mediterranean play an important role in combating climate change and as the leader in the industrial cork business we have a responsibility to ensure those forests continue to play that role.
"One way the industry can do that is by explaining and demonstrating the natural qualities of cork and its crucial role in carbon dioxide retention, preserving biodiversity and combating desertification," concluded Amorim.