This past February, before COVID-19 took over the news, wine industry experts gathered at the Vancouver International Wine Festival to discuss what was then the most important global topic of the year: Climate Change. (Read more here). The Tasting Climate Change panel discussion, moderated by Quench contributor Michelle Bouffard, explored how the wine world is being forced to adapt to climate change. Recently, Bouffard shared the videos from the symposium so that we could all learn more. Here is the message she shared:

While the world is forced to stop, the earth is catching its breath. Planes are grounded, cars are parked and the air quality in major cities has increased. But as noted by the World Meteorological Organization last week, the coronavirus pandemic is having very little impact on climate change. Because this state we are in, is temporary. As predicted by many scientists, the C02 level could rise rapidly again to make up for lost time once the pandemic is over.

Science links very clearly this pandemic to the disruption of the global system by climate change which causes species to move around. “Health is probably the most personal way that we feel climate change,” says Colin Carlson, an assistant research professor at the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University. “In the long run, climate change means people will be dealing with more disease outbreaks that are similar to COVID-19,” he adds.

Marc-André Langlois, the Canadian Research Chair in molecular virology and intrinsic immunity, and a professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of Ottawa concurs. “Because of deforestation and global warming, this is enhancing the ability of arthropods — mosquitoes, in particular — to transmit zoonotic disease.”

Nature has spoken. Whether you are turning to bread baking, meditation or yoga, this period of uncertainty is forcing us to rethink the way we live. As you have more time on your hand, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you the videos of the last TASTING CLIMATE CHANGE symposium. Perhaps you can explore some of those thoughts and solutions with your friends during your next happy hour on Zoom. More than ever, we need to explore solutions and work collectively to make the earth a better place to live.

Stay healthy. Together, we will win this battle. And remember, if you live in a wine-producing region, this is a great time to encourage local wine producers.

Michelle Bouffard, founder of TASTING CLIMATE CHANGE

You can watch the videos at this link.