Barb Boustead recalls discovering the concept of corn sweat when she moved to Nebraska two decades ago to work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Surrounded by endless fields of corn, she learned that this late-summer increase in humidity from corn plants cooling themselves was common knowledge among locals. This phenomenon may be becoming more pronounced due to climate change and the expansion of industrial agriculture. Warmer temperatures and nights, along with increased moisture in the atmosphere, are all contributing factors. These changes have also led to more corn being grown in the United States, partly driven by the demand for ethanol.
The Midwest, where a significant amount of corn is cultivated, experiences a noticeable surge in humidity during this period as the corn plants go through evapotranspiration. Experts like Dennis Todey from the USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub emphasize the impact of climate change on corn sweat. While more research is needed to fully understand this phenomenon, the consensus is that warmer conditions lead to increased transpiration in corn plants.
Lew Ziska, an environmental health sciences professor at Columbia University, confirms that rising temperatures result in more transpiration, including additional corn sweat. As the demand for corn, especially for ethanol production, continues to rise, the effects of climate change on crop humidity are becoming more evident. The consumption of ethanol also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the environmental impact.
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