Global warming could be reduced by planting wheat

Wheat crops could be used to offset the effects of global warming, according to American scientists.

Researchers at the University of Bristol say that by planting ‘climate friendly’ crops that reflect some sunlight back into space, the effects of rising temperatures could be reduced.

Selecting the crops that reflect the most could make summers in Europe more than one per cent cooler, said Dr Joy Singarayer who led the study.

“Our current studies on crop reflectivity are at an early stage, but our initial results are really encouraging, as they suggest that simply by choosing to plant specific strains of crops, we could alter the reflectivity of vast tracts of land and significantly reduce regional temperatures,” Dr Singarayer was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“The concept of using increased reflectivity to manipulate our climate is, in fact, an ancient one — humankind has for centuries painted settlements white to reflect the sun and keep cool.

“We could now realise the opportunities to do this on a much bigger scale via our agricultural plantations.”

Arable land makes up more than 10 per cent of global land use, said the scientists. Particularly dense agricultural regions covered Europe, North America and Southern Asia.