Microclimate Engineering for Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture: The Case of California Pistachios

Can farmers adapt to climate change by altering effective weather conditions on their fields? Existing technologies allow cool down plants a few degrees during critical periods, reducing the damage from excess heat. With nonlinear effects of high temperatures yields, slight cooling can bring significant gains in many crops. We call this approach “microclimate engineering” (MCE) and note that it could be useful as adaptation concept. Our case study deals with California pistachios, threatened warming daytime winter. A new solution for sunlight reflection, based products already used other contexts crops, potentially help deal challenge. develop model analyze grower choice market outcomes MCE pistachios. The expected increase welfare period 2020–2040 is assessed at 0.49–1.42 billion dollars under several scenarios. Simulation results show increases consumer surplus total when available but decreases aggregate profits. also introduce power test its potential MCE, finding mixed effects.