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Geopolitics of Winter
Some of you might cringe when the first snowstorm of the season falls, but I’d be willing to bet that the geopolitical significance of that snow hasn’t crossed your mind. I will discuss winter’s impact on culture and global food security for today’s article.
Usually, before the 1900s and the advent of modern fertilisers, the places in the world that would have the best agricultural output were often agricultural zones that experienced snowy winters.
At face value, it may seem irrelevant that winters such as those in northern China, northern Europe and the northern United States. However, snow will provide moisture and insulation for the ground, facilitating a biological process that would be highly beneficial for the soil nutrients.
Historically, before 1900 and before the invention of the world’s first modern fertiliser in 1903, called N fertiliser, the most fertile regions were those conducted for growing crops in climates with cold seasons.
Significant soy, wheat, corn, and rice production could grow and feed large populations in those climates.
Still, industrialisation and the development of fuels and fertilisers enabled those crops historically, which could only be cultivated in colder climates, to grow in previously unsuitable areas.
