Reframing Agricultural Attitudes Following The Climate Crisis

The 2023 AR6 report by The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is clear in its message that the rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis will have dangerous effects on the health of the planet and human well-being. Whilst there are serious issues we will face due to the increasingly severe weather we will experience, the effects of climate change on the agricultural industry poses a threat to our resources and economy. Studies theorise the economic impact of global warming could cause crop loss of more than $20 billion dollars a year. This crop loss will lead to a reduction in accessible foods, a hit to the global economy, and the reduction of funds accessible to farmers across the globe.  Farmers will feel the effects of the changes in temperature and increased rainfall on their usual yield and will understand the dangers of more extreme weather. However, it is difficult to adapt in the current climate, as we will need a shift towards consideration of the resilience of crops under severe weather conditions. 

There is a trend of shifting perspectives in farming and agriculture. At betterSoil we champion a consideration of soil health and understanding the long-term benefits of incorporating this into farming practices. It is also important to consider crop resilience due to climate change, because it is clear that extreme weather events will continue to affect the planet and our agricultural practices. By working towards crop resilience under more severe weather, we can achieve long-term benefits for farming and for the planet. Adaptation and response to this threat will allow a dynamic approach to farming under changing weather conditions, which can be more cost effective over time. Prioritising productivity is encouraged by farmers and stakeholders, leading to more focus in change of infrastructure and improving biodiversity. These changes, whether climate driven or not, successfully use improved sciences to ensure the best practice in a changing world. 

The climate crisis will continue to have devastating effects for agriculture and planetary health, but there are ways to adapt to this and to ensure resilience. It is increasingly important to think about the ways in which your own practices can develop alongside these more extreme weather events, and ways in which we can use science to combat our own output of harm. Please consider the ways in which you can adapt to climate change and share this article to those who will benefit from the understanding.