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Greetings from C-CIARN Agriculture: Thanks to those of you who sent along details for us to include in the C-CIARN Agriculture databases. We are still looking for input for research projects/researchers and published reports/articles so please continue to let us know what climate change and agriculture research you and your colleagues are conducting and writing about. Our web site now features a C-CIARN Agriculture Listserv. Click on this link to subscribe. Joining this listserv means you can contribute to ongoing discussion about climate change risks/vulnerabilities/impacts for the agri-food sector and related adaptation issues. The listserv will also be useful for receiving more detailed updates than you get in this monthly communication. This month we have also added a 2001 major report from the United States, entitled, Agriculture: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for the United States. As this report acknowledges, much of the climate change analysis focuses on crop production. We want to make sure that adaptation to climate change risks and opportunities also includes discussion about factors important for livestock. Extreme events such as droughts can induce animal diseases that would otherwise not appear. Droughts, as well as heat waves can mean extensive stress and therefore losses. The news from Quebec in mid-July provides a good example as more than 500,000 chickens perished in 35 degree heat and humidity. In our “What’s in the News” web page we have included items from the Quebec publication, La Terre de Chez Nous describing some of the challenges facing Quebec producers this season. Please let us know your thoughts on how we can include more information on livestock and adaptation to climate change issues. A workshop that includes animal health and climate change is taking place in British Columbia, Aug. 13 and 14, 2002. More information is available on our web site. The National Advisory Committee (NAC) for C-CIARN Agriculture had a conference call on July 17th to review progress to date and make plans for the coming year. C-CIARN Agriculture will be working on several things related to its mandate and objectives. One is a position paper focusing on the state of knowledge regarding adaptation to the opportunities, risks, and vulnerabilities from climate change for Canadian agriculture. Another includes hosting workshops and/or seminars/meetings. We are especially interested in holding our next workshop/meeting as part of another agricultural gathering. If you have any recommendations for themes, speakers, and venues, please let us know. Remember to visit our web site and keep us informed about your work and interests. All for now.. |
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