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Pacific Institute’s Heather Cooley to testify in Washington DC today on the impacts of climate change on agriculture

Posted by: Maven on June 18, 2009 at 8:06 am

Today, Pacific Institute Research Associate Heather Cooley will testify on the impacts of climate change on agriculture before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Cooley will discuss how precipitation and weather patterns will affect agriculture and what adaptation methods will be necessary to maintain a healthy agriculture sector in the U.S. Here is the text of her testimony:

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the effects of climate change on agricultural production in the United States. Our testimony will focus on those impacts related to water resources – a critical connection especially in the western United States.

These detailed comments are intended to supplement our oral testimony.

Key Messages:

  • Agriculture is a water-intensive industry, using about 70% of the nation’s freshwater resource. As a result, impacts of climate change on water resources will have major consequences for agriculture.
  • Rainfed agriculture is especially vulnerable to altered precipitation patterns.
  • Surface water supplies will be increasingly out-of-phase with agricultural water demand. Surface runoff is expected to decline during summer months, when agricultural water demand peaks. The impacts of climate change on groundwater resources remain largely unknown; however, recent research suggests they may decline.
  • Changes in extreme weather events will have a greater effect on crop production than changes in average conditions.
  • Adaptation can substantially reduce the risk of climate change for the agricultural sector.The federal government must support adaptation efforts, including better management of surface and groundwater resources and improvements in water conservation and efficiency.

To support adaptation efforts:

  • The federal government must support adaptation efforts, including better management of surface and groundwater resources and improvements in water conservation and efficiency.
  • The federal government should support outreach to the agricultural community about the impacts of climate change and potential adaptation strategies.
  • The federal government should support additional research and development. Specifically, more regional assessments and better weather forecasting are needed.

Read more of Heather Cooley’s testimony by clicking here.

June 18, 2009 · Filed Under Agriculture, Climate change & water supply

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