Adaptation Can Help U.S. Crop Producers Confront Climate Change

2010

d e v e l o p m e n t a n d c l i m at e c h a n g e d i s c u s s i o n pa p e r s d e v e l o p m e n t a n d c l i m a t e c h a n g e

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2007

The strong trends in climate change already evident, the likelihood of further changes occurring, and the increasing scale of potential climate impacts give urgency to addressing agricultural adaptation more coherently. There are many potential adaptation options available for marginal change of existing agricultural systems, often variations of existing climate risk management. We show that implementation of these options is likely to have substantial benefits under moderate climate change for some cropping systems. However, there are limits to their effectiveness under more severe climate changes. Hence, more systemic changes in resource allocation need to be considered, such as targeted diversification of production systems and livelihoods. We argue that achieving increased adaptation action will necessitate integration of climate change-related issues with other risk factors, such as climate variability and market risk, and with other policy domains, such as sustainable development. Dealing with the many barriers to effective adaptation will require a comprehensive and dynamic policy approach covering a range of scales and issues, for example, from the understanding by farmers of change in risk profiles to the establishment of efficient markets that facilitate response strategies. Science, too, has to adapt. Multidisciplinary problems require multidisciplinary solutions, i.e., a focus on integrated rather than disciplinary science and a strengthening of the interface with decision makers. A crucial component of this approach is the implementation of adaptation assessment frameworks that are relevant, robust, and easily operated by all stakeholders,

2012

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2000

The assessment of climate change impacts on agriculture has emerged as a recognizable field of research over the past 15 years or so. In a relatively short period, this area of work has undergone a number of important conceptual and methodological developments. Among many questions that have been debated are the adaptability of agriculture to climate change and the importance of land management adjustments in reducing the adverse effects of climate change. In turn, this latter focus has spawned a discussion regarding the nature of adaptation and the ability of agriculture to respond to sudden and rapid climatic changes. In this paper we present an overview of this debate. It is argued that the first generation of climate change impact studies generally ignored the possibility that agriculturalists may adjust their farming practices in order to cope with climate change or to take advantage of new production opportunities. This conceptual oversight has been largely eliminated over the past five years or so. However, questions remain surrounding the likelihood that various adaptive strategies will actually be deployed in particular places. In this paper, we stress the importance of studying adaptation in the context of decision-making at the individual farm level and beyond.

2014

According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report (2013), climate change is predicted to increase temperatures, and alter precipitation and water supply patterns. Warming is likely to increase the productivity of crops relative to livestock in cool places but reduce crop productivity in relatively hot locations. Thus, adaptation strategies are likely necessary (Rose and McCarl 2008). Many strategies have cobenefits, however, in fact investments in agricultural adaptation represent a cost-effective mitigation strategy (Lobell et al., 2013).

International Journal of Climate Change, 1(2), 141-156, 2009

Within living memory agriculture has been the fundamental human activity for food production to support the livelihood of everyone on earth. The human wellbeing depends strongly on the success of the agricultural sector whereas the agriculture’s success is linked to climate conditions that have started to change rapidly over the last decade due to global warming. Based on recent research studies and current literature this paper summarizes the impact of climate change on U.S. agricultural businesses. Research show that the majority of these impacts are negative such as increased flooding, rise in sea level, more frequent severe storms, droughts, heat-waves, and related effects on animal health, pests and plant diseases. Also, few positive effects are reported like increased plant growth rate because of warmer temperatures, longer growing seasons, carbon dioxide fertilization effect, and enhanced water availability. However, the main purpose of this paper is to identify ways to respond to these issues of climate change. Thus, two ways are discussed: 1. Mitigation of climate change impacts by reducing carbon dioxide emission through the use of bio-fuels from agricultural products and refeeding of atmospheric carbon subsurface by carbon sequestration (biotic and abiotic). 2. Adaptation to occurring climate change in a proactive way through mechanisms such as knowledge and learning, improvement of risk and disaster management, infrastructure development, institutional design and reform, public policy, and technological innovation. Stopping climate change may be difficult or impossible. However, it is the objective of this paper to show that there are ways to adapt so that adverse impacts can be reduced or even reversed.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2000

This paper presents a conceptual framework of the impact of climate change on agriculture. It assumes that climate change will result in a fertilization effect and a shift of agro-ecological conditions away from the Equator towards the Poles. The agro-ecological shift is likely to reduce yield because of reduced acreage and the fertilization effect will increase yield. The aggregate effect depends on whichever of the two dominates. The overall effect of climate change may be less significant than its distributional effects and the results are consistent with previous empirical studies. The impact of climate change depends on its pace. Faster changes in climate will result in higher cost. The assessment of the cost has to consider that climate change is a dynamic phenomenon that may require continuous adjustment. Environmental regulation that emphasizes conservation may increase cost of adjustment and environmental policies should emphasize adaptation and flexibility.

Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 2005

Agricultural activity has always included adaptation to a number of diverse stresses and opportunities-elements that continue influencing developments in the agri-food sector. Climate and weather conditions are a good example of factors that require ongoing adaptation. With climate change they take on even more significance. Based on data from Canadian producers, this article identifies several climate and weather risk adaptation strategies currently in use and notes their close links to sustainable agriculture practices. The article concludes that the mutually supportive relationship between sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation could be used to justify more government support for sustainable agriculture policies and programs.

Climate change and agriculture

Agriculture is directly affiliated to climate change. Every atmospheric change has a meaning to the life of the plants.However, not all crops have the same response to climate change or atmospheric change. Climate change over a certain period may favour particular crops and unfavour others then vice versa.

2010

There is general consensus in the scientific literature that human-induced climate change has taken place and will continue to do so over the next century. The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concludes with “very high confidence” that anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation have affected the global climate. The AR4 also indicates that global average temperatures are expected to increase by another 1.1°C to 5.4°C by 2100, depending on the increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases that takes place during this time. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, temperature increases, altered precipitation patterns and other factors influenced by climate have already begun to impact U.S. agriculture. Climate change will continue to have significant effects on U.S. agriculture, water resources, land resources, and biodiversity in the future as temperature extremes begin exceeding thresholds th...

Land Economics, 1999

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Global International Journal of Innovative Research Global Society Publishing, 2024

This journal article critically examines the influence of climate change on agricultural yields and proposes farmer-centric adaptation strategies through a policy-oriented agricultural analysis. The research employs a comprehensive approach, integrating climate science, agricultural economics, and policy studies to assess the multifaceted impacts of climate change on global agricultural productivity. The study analyzes empirical data on changing climate patterns, extreme weather events, and temperature variations, emphasizing their significant consequences for agricultural yields. By utilizing statistical models and econometric techniques, the research quantifies the extent of yield variations across diverse crops, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by farmers. In response to these challenges, the research proposes adaptation strategies centered on the needs and capacities of farmers. These strategies encompass the development and dissemination of climate-resilient crop varieties, the enhancement of irrigation infrastructure, and the implementation of precision agriculture techniques. Moreover, the study investigates the role of agricultural policies in promoting adaptive practices and explores potential policy frameworks to incentivize climate-smart agriculture. The findings highlight the importance of tailoring adaptation strategies to local contexts and engaging farmers in the decision-making process. The research underscores the need for policies that empower farmers, providing them with the knowledge, resources, and incentives to adapt to changing climatic conditions effectively. In conclusion, this article contributes to the discourse on climate change adaptation in agriculture by offering a policy-oriented perspective. It advocates for a holistic approach that integrates scientific insights, economic considerations, and farmer participation, aiming to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change.

Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change, 2016

Agriculture exists in dynamic environments where change is normal. All facets of agri-food systems are constantly exposed to these changes and, when necessary, make adjustments. This study builds on our growing understanding of farm-level adaptations in uncertain environments. It grapples with agriculture change in general and, more specifically, framing climatic change adaptation within the complex and dynamic environments that farmers negotiate on a daily basis. Engagement with the farming community was in conjunction with the Dundas County Federation of Agriculture, occurred during 2009–2013, and included the co-hosting of two focus group meetings plus the administration of 42 in-depth interviews. Many changes in Dundas County over the past 30 years mirror broader sectoral trends, including a decline in the number of farms ( 40%) coupled with increases in farm size (+61%) and the age of farm operators (+14%). One significant difference however is that farming continues to be the ...

Agricultural Economics …, 1995

Recent studies suggest that possible global increases in temperature and changes in precipitation patterns during the next century will affect world agricul-ture. Because of the ability of farmers to adapt , however, these ...

2017