While I don’t often talk about politics in this blog, after this week I think it is important to address climate change and its impacts on agriculture and why so many scientists are so worried about what is going to happen to our climate in the future. I know from experience at many meetings that many folks in agriculture are skeptical about whether climate change is real or, even if it is, how much it will affect their livelihood in comparison to markets, consumer preference, and other factors. And while all of these factors are important, climate is intimately tied to many of them.
Agriculture in the Southeast in coming years is going to have some advantages over other parts of the country, especially including reasonable amounts of water (even if warmer temperatures increase evaporation and evapotranspiration) and a longer growing season, and smart farmers will be able to take advantage of the climate-induced changes. But they need the knowledge to understand what the likely changes will be so they can prepare to deal with what is coming, whether it be in adding smart irrigation, solar power, new varieties and new crops, or adding infrastructure like shade barns. Many things that farmers can do to adapt to changes in climate will improve their bottom line no matter how the climate changes, as well as improving their soil fertility and reducing erosion (cover crops) and decreasing their risk to extreme weather like drought (irrigation).
Here are some articles which describe aspects of climate change and agriculture you might find helpful:
National Climate Assessment report on impacts of climate change on agriculture: https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/sectors/agriculture
EPA: Agriculture and Climate Change: https://www.epa.gov/agriculture/agriculture-climate-change
USDA: Climate change impacts on agriculture: https://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/effects_2012/effects_agriculture.htm
Also from USDA (PDF report): https://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/effects_2012/CC%20and%20Agriculture%20Report%20(02-04-2013)b.pdf
National Public Radio: A Farm Journalist Tells Farmers What They’d Rather Not Hear About Climate Change
Scientific American: Why Climate Skeptics are Wrong
Washington Post: Fact-checking President Trump’s claims on the Paris climate change deal
A website I like that addresses many questions that come up from those who are skeptical about the science of climate change is https://www.skepticalscience.com. I am also happy to talk off-line for those of you who don’t want to make your questions or comments public.
