Canadians and Canada’s governments shouldn’t take farming and food for granted. That’s the bottom line of a June 9 report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. “Food security in Canada is not something to be taken for granted and government policy action must reflect the essential service agriculture provides for our nation,” […] Read more
Tag Archives climate change
Don’t take farming and food for granted says U of C report
Mexico’s cradle of corn, climate change leaves its mark
TEHUACAN, Mexico (Reuters) — At least 9,000 years ago, humans began domesticating corn for the first time near Tehuacan, in the central Mexican state of Puebla, laying the foundation for permanent settlements in the Americas. But in the past few years, more frequent and longer droughts have forced many farmers in the area to give […] Read more
Jet stream waves linked to multiple crop failures
Two or more weeks per summer under the influence of these waves are associated with 11 percent drop in crop production
In 2016, Canadians were horrified by the ferocity of Alberta’s Fort McMurray wildfire. It was suspected to be human caused, but also in play were an unusually hot, dry air mass over the northern part of the province, record-setting temperatures, relative low humidity and high wind gusts. It led to the largest wildfire evacuation in […] Read more
U of A climate change ad sparks controversy
Producer groups say billboard that claimed warmer climate would benefit Alberta barley production needed more context
A controversial University of Alberta billboard advertisement touting the benefits of climate change has caused concern among producer groups. The ad, which read “Beefier barley: climate change will boost Alberta’s barley yield with less water, feeding more cattle,” drew heavy criticism because many people thought it conveyed the message that climate change is good, even […] Read more
University’s climate change ad sparks controversy
A controversial University of Alberta billboard advertisement touting the benefits of climate change has caused concern among producer groups. The ad, which read “Beefier barley: climate change will boost Alberta’s barley yield with less water, feeding more cattle,” drew heavy criticism because many people thought it conveyed the message that climate change is good, even […] Read more
Canadian farm production likely to increase under climate change: FAO
A new United Nations’ report suggests just how climate change will reshape agriculture by 2050. It says international trade will play an ever larger role in helping to feed people in food-deficit regions as warmer temperatures and less precipitation will damage yields in many tropical areas. Temperate areas, such as Canada and the United States, […] Read more
Climate change poses low risks to irrigation
A study out of the University of Alberta looked to see if the province could meet its expansion goals
Despite climate change pressures, Alberta’s irrigation sector should be able to grow with few risks, suggests new research, as long as water supply doesn’t change too much and if new technologies are adopted. The research, conducted by the University of Alberta and funded by the Alberta Land Institute, looked to see if the province could […] Read more
Barley may thrive under climate change
Climate change could result in warmer and wetter conditions in northern Alberta and warmer and drier in the south
A warming climate could be good news for Alberta’s barley industry. University of Alberta researchers have embarked on a ongoing project to study adaptive measures and opportunities for water use for agriculture, petroleum and other sectors in the province. Watershed scientist Monireh Faramarzi and others have combined hydrology and climate models to assess water supplies […] Read more
World may be hotter than expected by 2100
OSLO, Norway (Reuters) — World temperatures could rise 15 percent more than expected this century, obliging governments to make deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming, scientists said late last year. Average surface temperatures could increase up to .5 C more than previously projected by 2100 in the most gloomy scenarios for […] Read more
Decades-long droughts possible on Prairies
Book’s authors hope farmers will take measures to minimize risk by understanding their vulnerability to drought
A 50-year-long drought may not be as crazy as some people think. According to a new book, it actually happened on the Prairies and not that long ago. And that’s not all. The book, titled Vulnerability and Adaptation to Drought, suggests that droughts will become longer and more severe on the Prairies in the future. […] Read more
