The negative effects of climate change are predicted to impact the agricultural sector in coming decades. Economic losses and modifications of production processes are fundamental issues to consider in coping with the harmful consequences of climate variability. The literature and empirical evidence show that the wine sector is extremely vulnerable to this risk. These studies show that this sector lacks appropriate adaptation strategies due to the complexity of the analysed systems and interrelations between a number of socioeconomic and environmental variables. The present study designed a decision support system to identify adaptation strategies for wine farms undergoing climate change. The tool allows for the analysis of a wine farm's economic performance when it adopts measures to cope with climatic variability. Average values for climate change and extreme events were considered to assess different scenarios. A mix-method approach was applied to integrate probability calculations, complex system analyses and operational research (a metaheuristic approach). The model was tested on a case study located in central Italy (Chianti Classico). To maintain and improve future financial performance, organic farming and adjustments to procedural guidelines were recommended as key strategies. Economic variables, such as the average price of wine, seem to have a strong influence on farms' implementation of adaptive measures. An additional result seems to suggest that insurance schemes in areas producing high quality wine are only suitable when low-level deductibles and public funding are available. The present work shows that the decision support system favours analytical sensitivity to different scenarios and variables related to climate change as well as to socioeconomic shifts in the viticulture sector.
a b s t r a c tThe study aims to identify future trends in food habits by comparing the food choices made in Italy by Generation X in the year 2000 with those of Generation Y in 2009. The analysis was conducted utilising the food expenditures surveyed by the National Statistics Institute on a representative sample of consumers. Segmentation was performed using the Latent Class Clustering in order to identify the principal food patterns and their evolution in the span of a decade. The results point out some trends of homologation in food consumptions that are potentially problematic from the viewpoint of the healthy aspects. An increase is noted among the so-called savers, characterised by a diet with a high energetic density, while a decline is noted among the young ''traditionals'' who stand out for their high consumptions of fruit, vegetables and fish. Out-of-the-home consumptions become established among singles, and there is an increase of easy to prepare and ready to eat products, especially among the young people with children of Northern Italy. These elements raise several issues with regard to social, economic and health implications. Public intervention becomes fundamental to provide information and stimulate markets in orienting producers and consumers towards virtuous models, compatible with the new demands of society.
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