Climate Change Study Finds Trouble for U.S. Agriculture
An assessment released this week on the potential national impacts of climate change paints a troubling picture for many in the U.S. agricultural community.
According to the nonprofit science group Environmental Defense, increased precipitation, higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and appropriate farmer adaptations could result in higher crop yields for the United States – but at a cost. Extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and floods could dramatically undercut crop yields, the report notes.
These events, combined with increases in average temperature, could occur more often, last longer, and inflict greater damage on crops than today.
The report also examines the impacts of increased pests, diseases and weeds under warmer conditions and higher CO2 concentrations.
The assessment will be released Monday for public comment. It examines possible effects on every region of the United States and on sectors particularly affected by climate changes, including coastal areas and marine resources, forests, public health, water, and agriculture.
"The climate is already changing," said Michael Oppenheimer, Environmental Defense chief scientist. "Because greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for decades, our past emissions mean additional warming is inevitable. The time for reductions in emissions from farms, factories, power plants, and cars is now."
What farmers can do
According to Environmental Defense, farmers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using farming practices that can benefit their farms and save money. Such practices include storing carbon in the soil through the use of cover crops, precision agriculture and conservation tillage, and using methane-recovery systems for liquid manure, such as digesters or covered lagoons, to reduce methane emissions.
Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization based in New York, represents more than 300,000 members. Since 1967 it has linked science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions to the most urgent environmental problems.
