If you ask most members of the general public about this year’s record heat and drought across the Prairies, they’ll accept the idea that it’s linked to climate change. After all, that’s what the scientists, activists and media say at every opportunity. However, there are many examples of muddled thinking on the whole climate change […] Read more
Tag Archives climate change
Weeds may compound effects of climate change impact
Study says corn yields are expected to be reduced as weeds compete for fewer water resources in the American Midwest
A U.S. study has found that weeds will likely deepen the negative impact of climate change on corn yields, says a scientist. Such results likely extend to other crops, said Marty Williams, an ecologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “I think what this tells farmers is that going forward, more than ever, we really […] Read more
McDonald’s targets net zero emissions by 2050, from meat to energy
NEW YORK, Oct 4 (Reuters) – McDonald’s Corp on Monday set a new target to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, from the beef in its burgers to the light bulbs in its restaurants. The burger chain also said it was working with the nonprofit Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to […] Read more
Largest U.S. biofuels producer pledges carbon neutrality by 2050
NEW YORK, Sept 15 (Reuters) – POET, the largest biofuels producer in the United States, said on Wednesday it is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions at its bioprocessing facilities by 2050, making it the latest company to pledge to reduce its carbon footprint to fight climate change. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based company also […] Read more
Ethanol’s future is running out of gas as new reality looms
The key ingredients for a looming crack-up in ethanol — the fast rise of electric vehicles, lukewarm politics, and more evidence of catastrophic climate change — are in place and few in United States policy circles are prepared to face that reality. In fact, none of those woes are new; they’ve been building for years. […] Read more
Wind, solar power no magical solution
Despite our best efforts to foresee what the future will bring, we really don’t know what is forthcoming until the future becomes the present. The challenge of climate change has focused our attention on what this unknowable future will look like and what we can or should do about any potentially serious impacts. The focus […] Read more
To save the planet, focus on cutting methane – U.N. climate report
Aug 9 (Reuters) – In four decades of climate negotiations, the world has focused intensely and exclusively on the most abundant climate-warming gas: carbon dioxide. This year, scientists are urging a focus on another potent greenhouse gas – methane – as the planet’s best hope for staving off catastrophic global warming. Countries must make “strong, […] Read more
Saskatchewan, Ottawa never on the same page over climate
Brad Wall was talking like he was going to the moon. It was Oct. 18, 2016, and I was sardined into a small conference room with the rest of the Regina legislative press corps. Wall, then premier of Saskatchewan, had just released an outline of his climate strategy. He was passionate and clearly believed his […] Read more
Producers do not need a lecture on climate change
Dried-up crops hurt both your pocketbook and your self-esteem, but what I find particularly irksome is when some armchair quarterback says it’s all because of climate change. Yes, a number of temperature records have been broken. Yes, it’s been abnormally dry in many areas. Yes, there are fields that won’t see a combine. Guess what, […] Read more
Climate change fight hits the ground
The Canadian government has launched a plan called Agricultural Climate Solutions, dedicated to help farming tackle climate change issues. The program aims to do so through a variety of means, including $185 million in grants and a living labs model. The living labs model brings together scientists, farmers and others in the ag industry to […] Read more
