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The effects of climate change on U.S.A agriculture

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Thursday, 24 April 2008

The USA is a major producer of food and fiber in the world. The U.S. agriculture represents over 25% of world trade in wheat, corn, soybeans and cotton. Cropland occupies about 210 million hectares (17% of the territory), plus meadows and pastures, which represent over 300 million hectares (26% of the territory). The value of agricultural production represents less than 2% of U.S. gross domestic product, but agricultural products constitute about 5% of the value of U.S. exports. Climate change is likely to produce impacts on the entire agricultural, plant growth under the conditions of competition on international markets.    In 2007, U. S. Global Change Research Program, the national coaching search in the area of climate change, has published the report evaluating the potential consequences of climate change on agriculture in the USA. Relying on climate models, models of cultures and economic models, and taking into account the feasibility of adapting farmers, the expert group had concluded that climate change and levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Twenty-first century did not represent a threat to American agricultural production. The effects on the whole quite positive, vary depending on the type of culture and the region considered, some yields rise as a result of additional CO2 and water, while others reduced yields because of temperatures too high. This report has not yet been updated but the search continues in particular within the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Today experts have many reservations on the predictions of the 2001 report. The effect of CO2 fertilization is increasingly questioned, and an effective contribution to water seems increasingly compromised for many regions. The experts also stress the lack of taken into account in this study of extreme weather and pests and diseases. This document is more detail on the predictions of the 2001 report and the work done since the LRA. The records of interviews with experts in the field are also being attached.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )

 

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