2 Degrees Above Normal

2 Degrees Above Normal - A documentary film about how climate change is affecting the cultivation, economics and culture of wine on a global scale.

Understanding climate change and the potential impacts on natural and human-based systems has become increasingly important. The importance of understanding climate change impacts on agriculture is most evident with viticulture where many years of experience has resulted in the finest wines being made from grapes grown in geographically distinct regions.

Grapevines are generally grown under conditions that are considered marginal for most agricultural production. Given that high quality wines are generally associated with optimum climatic conditions in any given vintage, certain questions arise: what is the direction and magnitude of climatic changes in top wine regions, what effects has climate change had on wine quality in the past, and what affects may climate change bring in the future?

Future climate change scenarios indicate an average warming of 2°C over the next 50 years with wine producing regions becoming more or less productive for high quality wines. Climate modeling predicts this 2°C temperature rise is likely to make cool growing regions better producers of some grape varieties and already warm wine regions less hospitable for viticulture.

There is a huge historical and cultural identity associated with wine producing regions. A region known for a superb varietal, might need to shift to another kind of grape, changing the cultural identity that has developed over centuries. In addition, changes in cultural identity for a region could be followed by shifts in the economics of that region and the pricing and availability of classic varietals worldwide.

While it is clear that improvements in grape growing and wine making technology have produced better wines, climate will always be the wild card in determining year to year variations in quality. This film will seek to examine the affects of global climate change on viticulture and wine. How climate change is affecting the quality, culture and availability of wines enjoyed today and in the future and how climate change is altering the economics of wine regionally and globally.

Synopsis: Point of View documentary film based on the research of Dr. Gregory Jones, Climatologist, Southern Oregon University. Story line will convey the affects of climate change on viticulture and wine production over the past 150 years predicting similar affects of climate change on wine regions worldwide over the next 50 - 100 years. What is the delicate connection between wine production and climate that makes it such a “canary in the coal mine” for studying climate change? Where and how have the changes happened, what is predicted to happen in the future and possible mitigating solutions will be examined. Affects on both the wine industry and regional cultures will be explored. Expected Release date Spring 2010.

2 Degrees Above Normal - A documentary film about how climate change is affecting the cultivation, economics and culture of wine on a global scale.

2 Degrees Above Normal

Ashland, OR

(541) 482-5179

Email: 2 Degrees Above Normal

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2 Degrees Above Normal is a program of International Humanities Center, a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.

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Updated: August 28, 2008