In addition to the development of an apple, our project also aims to analyse the effects of apple production on the climate. For the necessary information we have contacted the agricultural school Strickhof in Lindau and have done research on the internet to supplement this.
Apple production has both positive and negative effects on the climate. Every production process has a negative impact on the climate, including the use of machinery, pesticides etc. in apple production. But with apple production a new plant grows, which takes the CO2 out of the atmosphere and produces oxygen from it. The change in the climate in apple production is mainly noticeable in the fact that weather extremes such as frost, hail etc. are increasing. Due to climate change, new investments had to be made in the area of weather protection for apple trees. Many plantations have to be irrigated (bewässert) by longer periods of drought. However, climate change is making it possible to grow thermophilic crops such as apricot trees in regions where this was previously not possible. The ecological footprint of an apple depends on the variety. Depending on how long an apple can be kept and which measures are taken to extend its shelf life (Haltbarkeit), more or less greenhouse gases are released. If a lot of effort is put into the shelf life (Haltbarkeit) of an apple, it is quite possible that an apple imported by ship from abroad will emit fewer greenhouse gases. In today's society, we want to have apples and other fruits on offer at any time. This also applies even if it is not in season. In order not to interrupt the supply of apples, we have to store and import apples. For a better ecological footprint, the supply of apples should be limited to the apple season in Switzerland. The production of apples is highly professional. Companies produce apples that meet the requirements of the trade and consumers. Changes would only be possible if the demands of the trade and consumers changed.
Stefanie Kunz, Simone Etter, Tamara Keller, TZ19, Wetzikon
