Ibbotson said these tools included harvesting earlier, or blending with subregions planted in cooler climates.
SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF
An already dry region, Marlborough could suffer more droughts as a result of climate change. “That works for now, will it work in 20 years or 30 years? That’s all going to depend on how severe those changes might be,” he said. “Over time that might require that we take a different approach to how we grow.” The Marlborough District Council commissioned Niwa to research projections and potential impacts of climate change for the region, with the findings released last month. Niwa’s report projected average maximum temperatures to increase up to 3 degrees Celsius by 2090. The average number of “hot days” (over 25C) was expected to increase, with up to 65 more by 2090. Frosts were expected to decrease, and there could be more extreme, rare rainfall events.