|
|
|
New York Farming and Climate InstabilityJoin us Wed., January 30th, 9–Noon Guests:
Dr.
Cynthia Rosenzweig, IPCC/NASA scientist & NY farmers Legislative
Office Bldg., Hearing Rm. C Question
& Answer Session Local Winter Breakfast What to
expect: Higher
temperatures overall,
with shorter winters, longer summers Damaging
summer heat stress with
up to 14º F average summer increase Increased pest
pressure on
vegetable crops from insects and weeds Livestock
stress (heat and
disease) will lead to decline in milk production More
extreme events, as floods
and droughts; water management problems Traditional
fruit
crop failures (e.g., apples) due to reduced winter cooling days
and to
freezing during and after bloom Variable
winters (with premature leafing
out in mid-winter) will damage trees and orchard crops Marginally
over-wintering insects such as ticks will thrive Loss of
maple,
beech, birch and other cool climate trees Unsustainable changes in
synchrony
between plants and pollinators, and between animals
and their
food sources Species
migrations to the north and to higher
altitudes and species extinctions Changes
in sea level will
create new coastline and move population centers inland and northward What
can be done: Support organic/sustainable
agriculture--Healthier
soils (more organic matter) can sequester carbon and retain water to
manage
both droughts and floods Support small
and medium-sized farms; regulate
agribusiness/confined animal operations which are carbon intensive
(energy and
emissions) & polluting Support local
and low-processed foods to
reduce fossil fuel used in transportation, processing, refrigeration. Revitalize
regional food processing and distribution Guarantee
contracts
for local foods with public programs and public institutions, such
as NY’s hospitals
& colleges Support urban
farms, community gardens, school gardens (not
lawns); also farm markets, CSA’s Support local non-food
biomass
for local energy. Provide
incentives for on-farm solar, methane & wind
to improve cooling capacity of livestock facilities, etc. Conserve
farmland, wildland and open countryside; regulate sprawl; build in
existing
population centers Plan
wildlife protection and migration corridors to maintain
species diversity and prevent extinctions Encourage
use of cover
crops, rotations, composts, and reduced tillage. Discourage use of
energy intensive
synthetic fertilizers, which emit nitrous oxide Fund
programs to improve
irrigation and drainage, prevent soil erosion and run-of, and
capture
rainwater Adjust plant
selection & planting dates; return
to use of hardy, bio-diverse heirloom plants and animals Create carbon credits for organic and grazing farmers to honor their role in carbon sequestration |
CoopScoop Home
|
