What Climate Change Means for BC Agriculture
Throughout the history of this planet, the climate has always changed. Change is really the only constant we have when it comes to temperatures and weather patterns. There are many natural cycles the earth goes through every 100, 1000 and 10,000 years. Scientists have been intensively studying the current and past changes since 1991, and one thing is clear, it is about to get warmer in our little corner of the universe. Right around the time of the industrial revolution (1880) we have seen an exponential rise in temperatures around the world. What climate change means for BC agriculture is two things, challenges and opportunities.
A major climate change study predicts that temperatures in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland will exceed those seen in southern California today. While beach lovers will appreciate a Canadian San Diego, there are a number of predicted challenges for BC farmers.
BC is expected to see an increase in rainfall as part of the climate shift. Experts estimate an 11% increase in rain by 2050 and 20% by 2080. While rain is good for some crops, heavy rainfall will contribute to flooding and property damage. Heavy rains can also trigger landslides which could also affect natural and man-made water reservoirs. Warm temperatures combined with increased rain will erode winter snow packs and further limit water supplies in the summer.
An increase in temperatures also means a longer growing season for fresh local produce. Farmers in the Fraser Valley will be able to grow crops almost year-round as 45 days is estimated to be added to the growing season by 2050. Farmers can seize this opportunity by planting more valuable crops and expecting earlier harvest.
While there is opportunity to grow more food, there will also be an increase in pests and plant diseases. Variations in temperature and rainfall can cause pollinators to emerge at inopportune times.
Hotter temperatures will also necessitate the need to properly manage irrigation and water supplies for farmers. Currently there are about 15,000 hectares of irrigated farming in Metro Vancouver, which could increase to 35,000 in the next few decades. This will require new infrastructure to be built, which is also an opportunity for the construction industry.
As mentioned in our last article, How Climate Change is Affecting BC Farms, shifting temperatures and rain patterns also has the potential to affect wildfires across the province.
In addition to staying on top of current and future trends affecting the BC agriculture industry, Handlers is proud to offer equipment that is environmentally conscious. Mahindra tractors lead the way with emission controls and have worked to exceed the stringent standards set by the EPA.
Click here to contact our agriculture equipment experts and learn more about reducing fossil fuel pollution with revolutionary emission controls, and what climate change means for BC agriculture!