Helping Agriculture Adapt to a Changing Climate
Double Tree Hotel Denver, Denver, Colorado – July 19, 2010
Including a Public Meeting of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
The impacts of changing weather and climate are projected to be significant for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Impacts already are being felt across the country and around the world. In 2009 the U.S. Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was tasked with developing federal recommendations for adapting to climate change impacts. In support of this effort, USDA hosted a meeting on July 19, 2010, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Denver, Colorado, to present the science behind climate change and its impacts on agriculture, highlight the potential for adaptation, layout Federal adaptation efforts and future plans, and solicit much needed input from agricultural producers. As a part of this meeting, USDA and CEQ will hold a public meeting of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force in the afternoon.
This stakeholder meeting represented an important opportunity for the farm community to offer feedback, and will include a wide range of stakeholders, including farm groups, trade groups, commodity groups, agritech and agribusiness representatives, insurance representatives, environmental/conservation groups, and local/national land managers/producers.
Helping Agriculture Adapt to a Changing Climate
Introduction
Bill Hohenstein, USDA Climate Change Program Office
The Science of Adaptation
Moderator: Bill Hohenstein, USDA Climate Change Program Office
Donald Wuebbles, Professor, University of Illinois
The Science of Climate Change MORNING PRESENTATIONS\Wuebbles.ppt
Brad Udall, Director, Western Water Assessment
Review of Impacts: WaterMORNING PRESENTATIONS\Udall.pptx
Jack Morgan, Plant Physiologist, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Review of Impacts: AgricultureMORNING PRESENTATIONS\Morgan.ppt
Kathy Jacobs, Assistant Director, OSTP
U.S. National Climate Assessment
Response from Agriculture
Moderator: Bill Hohenstein, USDA Climate Change Program Office
Jim Koan, Owner and Operator, Almar Farm and Orchards
Paul Wenger, President, California Farm Bureau Federation
Curtis Sayles, Colorado farmer
Luncheon Key Note Speaker:
Harris Sherman, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
Public Meeting of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
Administration Strategy
Kathy Jacobs, OSTP Assistant Director
Review of Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force Efforts
Bill Hohenstein, USDA Climate Change Program Office
USDA Adaptation Strategy and Strategic Plan for Science
Peter Backlund, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Review of Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Water
Reactions from Agriculture
Moderator: Jimmy Daukas, American Farmland Trust
Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union
Wayne Hurst, Vice President, National Wheat Growers Association
Amy Kunugi, Western Growers Association
Public Comment
Moderator: Jimmy Daukas, American Farmland Trust
Closing Remarks
Bill Hohenstein, Director, USDA Climate Change Program Office
Video of the Denver public meeting (2—5pm) can be viewed at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation/publicmeetings
Background Information:
Climate Change and Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers, particularly in the western U.S., are already experiencing declining water tables, increased costs for water withdrawal and the deterioration of water quality linked to climate change. Increases in temperature, changes in rainfall amounts and patterns, pests and diseases moving into new areas, rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and tropospheric ozone and increases in extreme weather events are already occurring. How these impact agricultural production and economics depends on our ability to adapt through future changes in technology and changes in environmental conditions such as water availability and soil quality. By 2050 the global population is projected to increase to 9 billion people and worldwide demand for feed grains could more than double. Here at home, the U.S. population could increase by more than 50 percent and the amount of arable land per capita in the U.S. will decrease by more than half. This means that agriculture will be under increasing pressure to enhance yields while improving resource use efficiency, maximizing energy conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resiliency to changing climate conditions. On July 19, 2010, in Denver, Colorado, you have an opportunity to hear about CEQ’s Federal planning efforts, USDA’s adaptation strategy, how some producers are already adjusting to climate change, and to offer your own feedback on strategies for going forward.
The Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
The Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, managed by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and working under Executive Order, is currently working with 20 Federal Agencies, including USDA, to develop a Federal strategy for adapting to climate change impacts. The Task Force's Interim Report may be viewed online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation.
Video of the Denver public meeting (2—5pm) can be viewed at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation/publicmeetings