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Climate change expert to present grave industry warning at Vinexpo 2019
Scientist Patrice Geoffron will deliver a wake-up call to the wine industry at Vinexpo’s inaugural climate change symposium.
Called ‘Act for Change,’ the symposium will take place on May 14 and will provide an opportunity for Geoffron to present his study entitled: ‘ In 2050 what kind of world will we be drinking in?’
In essence, Geoffron states that if the Paris Agreement fails, the world could face a second temperature increase as early as 2050, far earlier than the predicted date of 2100.
He also believes that the economic consequences of this potential scenario will be so grave that they will test the world’s socio-economic order.
Part of the study involves an analysis of the longer term impacts of climate change in Britain, with Geoffron questioning the “myth of future Eldorados.”
“Although new areas conducive to wine-growing are emerging (the south of Great Britain, for example) suggestions of future Eldorados deserve to be critically examined,” said Geoffron.
In addition, the Director of the Energy-Climate team at Paris-Dauphine University will critically examine the future relationship between the industry and Millennials, claiming that their interest is waning.
Referencing the whiskey industry, Geoffron added: “As other alcoholic beverages will also be affected by the vagaries of the weather (the effects on barley will impact beer and whisky) this could lead to a major reshuffle.”
Christophe Navarre, Chairman of Vinexpo, underlined the point that the Symposium is the first of its kind and revolves around the theme of climate change, which affects every stakeholder in the wine arena.
“Vinexpo’s strength is its ability to bring them all together and introduce them to authorities from across the continents,” said Navarre.
The Symposium’s three main sessions, followed by round-table discussions about the practical solutions to the problems, focus on: the impact of climate change on global vineyards; the impact of climate change on vineyard management and winemaking, and the impact of climate change on the wine economy.