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Wine grape ripening, and therefore quality, results from the interaction of various factors: grape and rootstock variety, climatic conditions, geomorphometric attributes of vineyards, soil type and properties and agricultural practices. Climatic conditions, e.g. solar radiation, heat accumulation, temperature extremes, precipitation during the principal growth stages, wind, and extreme weather such as hail, during the growing season are particularly influential during the ripening process and account for most of the annual differences in production and quality. Studies on the effects of climate change on viticulture are generally based on global climate models. With respect to temperature and temperature-based indices, this may produce reasonable first approximations. Recent studies indicate that several viticultural regions may become more successful, and others less so, as high-quality wine production areas. However, it is not only average temperature but also a variety of other climate parameters and their variability that the allocation of chances and risks in impact assessments depends on. In this respect, global model resolutions are of limited value. However, current methods of regionalization by statistical downscaling or embedded regional climate models also show deficiencies and uncertainties. Research activities of the E. Mach Foundation on the effects of climate variability and change on viticulture include studies on the relationships between weather (bioclimatic indices, water balance, physical adversities such as frost, hail, drought stress) and plant physiology (phenology, berry ripening, leaf senescence), parasites development and agricultural practices. Results of grape ripening modelling show that heat requirements change according to the availability, indicating a possible adaptation/mitigation, that should be considered in the formulation of climate change scenarios

Wine grape ripening, and therefore quality, results from the interaction of various factors: grape and rootstock variety, climatic conditions, geomorphometric attributes of vineyards, soil type and properties and agricultural practices. Climatic conditions, e.g. solar radiation, heat accumulation, temperature extremes, precipitation during the principal growth stages, wind, and extreme weather such as hail, during the growing season are particularly influential during the ripening process and account for most of the annual differences in production and quality. Studies on the effects of climate change on viticulture are generally based on global climate models. With respect to temperature and temperature-based indices, this may produce reasonable first approximations. Recent studies indicate that several viticultural regions may become more successful, and others less so, as high-quality wine production areas. However, it is not only average temperature but also a variety of other climate parameters and their variability that the allocation of chances and risks in impact assessments depends on. In this respect, global model resolutions are of limited value. However, current methods of regionalization by statistical downscaling or embedded regional climate models also show deficiencies and uncertainties. Research activities of the E. Mach Foundation on the effects of climate variability and change on viticulture include studies on the relationships between weather (bioclimatic indices, water balance, physical adversities such as frost, hail, drought stress) and plant physiology (phenology, berry ripening, leaf senescence), parasites development and agricultural practices. Results of grape ripening modelling show that heat requirements change according to the availability, indicating a possible adaptation/mitigation, that should be considered in the formulation of climate change scenarios

The increasing food demand leads to an increase of the world food production. Nevertheless, there is the fear that neither yield increases nor exploitation of new croplands will be able to cope with this need. The ongoing changes will decrease the agricultural productivity of some areas (the Mediterranean among these), due to a lower soil fertility and water availability, whereas others will get an advantage, mainly in the north. On the other hand, the demand for meat is still rising, thanks to better living conditions in emerging countries. However, meat production, particularly livestock, has an important impact on climate as well as on the environment. Moreover, “energy crops” not only help questionably to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they have already shown a negative impact on prices of food cereals. With this background, a new version of “Decide” game has been created on the theme of sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the topic of resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The increasing food demand leads to an increase of the world food production. Nevertheless, there is the fear that neither yield increases nor exploitation of new croplands will be able to cope with this need. The ongoing changes will decrease the agricultural productivity of some areas (the Mediterranean among these), due to a lower soil fertility and water availability, whereas others will get an advantage, mainly in the north. On the other hand, the demand for meat is still rising, thanks to better living conditions in emerging countries. However, meat production, particularly livestock, has an important impact on climate as well as on the environment. Moreover, “energy crops” not only help questionably to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they have already shown a negative impact on prices of food cereals. With this background, a new version of “Decide” game has been created on the theme of sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the topic of resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.