Canada: Ontario's maple syrup producers struggle to produce under climate change

Published 2023년 3월 7일

Tridge summary

Ontario maple syrup producers are facing challenges due to climate change, as increasingly unpredictable winter temperatures are affecting the industry's future. The changing climate is causing spring-like weather to start earlier each year, disrupting the crucial freeze-thaw cycles needed for sap collection. Some producers are responding by purchasing maple tree stands in northern regions and implementing environmentally friendly practices to reduce their carbon footprint. The industry expects substantial growth over the next decade, but faces potential setbacks from extreme weather and invasive pests. There is optimism, however, that with efficient sap evaporation and the planting of more maple trees, producers could achieve net-neutral or even net-negative emissions.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Increasingly unpredictable winter temperatures have Ontario maple syrup producers concerned about how climate change will affect the industry's future, with some pushing for environmentally friendly practices to reduce the sector's carbon footprint. Prolonged mild conditions last month had maple syrup producers in southern Ontario tapping trees for sap in early February — significantly earlier than when tapping season has historically begun in early to mid-March. A cold spell last week then forced a pause on the early start to operations. The executive director of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers' Association said there's evidence that spring-like weather is starting earlier each year, creating uncertainty in the delicate freeze-thaw cycles that producers rely on. "We've always had winter thaws, but they've become more significant in the last 20 years," John Williams said in an interview. "They've increased in the frequency we've had them and also the length of time that we stay ...

Source: Nationalobserver