Essay Sample on Industrial Agriculture Creating Climate Change

Introduction

The food system of Canada is dominated by two important segments, which are grains and livestock production, accounting for 34% and 24% of all agricultural products in the country (Food Secure Canada, 2017). The food system is strongly linked to agriculture, which is dependent on climate and as such, any changes in the weather conditions have serious repercussion on its productivity, and thus, its ability to meet the food needs of the country (Willox et al., 2012). Currently, the world is experiencing increased concerns relating to climate changes that have been caused by human activity, including agriculture. In this case, while the food system is a contributor to greenhouse gases, it is also impacted by climate change that sweeping across the world from increased industrial production from different nations.

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Based on the above discussion, the food system in Canada relates to climate change in two ways. Firstly, it is a contributor to greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases that are linked to climate change. According to Food Secure Canada (2017), in 2016, agriculture accounted for 12% or 84.44 megatons (Mt) of carbon dioxide (CO2 eq) of the greenhouse gas emissions in the country. The total greenhouse emissions of 704 Mt for 2016 were a reduction from 714 Mt that was realized in 2015. Food Secure Canada (2017) notes that the reduction in the number of greenhouse gases in 2016 was because of a decrease in the use of oil and related products, and not in the agricultural sector. On the other hand, the whole world is experiencing growing climate change because of greenhouse gases, which subsequently, have an impact on agricultural production in Canada (Vermeulen, Campbell, & Ingram, 2012). Such climate change is caused by other factors such as oil and gas, industrial production, and even agricultural activities from other nations and these affect the productivity of agriculture in different ways.

Climate change in Canada has both negative and positive impacts. Willox et al., (2012) notes as the world continues to warm, the country will start to experience milder and short winters, which ensure there is a prolonged period of agricultural production. The outcome is that some of the regions that were previously less productive due to cold weather will now be able to produce and contribute to the national food basket (Lemmen, Lacroix, & Warren, 2008). Due to its high altitude, the country is likely to experience more warming than the global average, and this will lead to increase ground evaporation and plant transpiration from the surface. The result is that the warmer temperatures will benefit livestock production with increased survival of the young, lower feed requirements, and lower energy costs. Furthermore, Hunt and Watkiss (2011) note that warmer temperatures will lead to improved soil quality as it enhances carbon sequestration, as well as reduced greenhouse emissions by changing land-use from annual to perennial crops and grazing lands. In the above case, climate change will have a positive impact on the food system in Canada.

Despite the promising anticipated outcomes of climate change on food system in Canada, past adverse weather conditions have revealed that the climate change may also negatively affect the productivity of the country (Hunt & Watkiss, 2011). For example, the droughts experienced in 2001 and 2002, and the floods of 2010 and 2011, revealed that such events could cut the production of affected regions by more than 50%. Furthermore, the likelihood of deaths of animals, especially poultry, from heat waves from increased temperatures could lead to losses to farmers, and subsequently, decreased access of food in the country (Hunt & Watkiss, 2011). The other possible negative consequence of climate change is the impact of increased frequency of droughts and floods, which may lead to reduced pasture and production of forage, and thus making it more expensive for farmers to feed their animals, as they have to look for supplemental feed. Others may be forced to reduce the size of their herd, and thus make the food system to be unstable for the country.

The consequences of climate change in Canada require mitigation efforts at individual, institutional, and government levels. Firstly, at the individual level, it is important for each individual to be focused on ensuring that his or her carbon footprint is reduced as much as possible through reduced food waste, which is a major contributor of methane. To achieve the goal, the first major approach is to ensure that people buy just what they need, and thus reducing the amount of waste that they produce (Food Secure Canada, 2017). The second approach is to for awareness on the need store food for longer, and thus, reducing the amount of waste that a household produces. The other important recommendation mitigation of climate change at the institutional level is for the University of Victoria to invest in research and development, which will lead to better agricultural practices, which will lead to a reduced production of greenhouse gases. Additionally, it is important for the university, through its mandate, to recommend curriculum developments that will ensure that climate change education and awareness in undertaken for its students. Since universities are important creators of knowledge, such learning will be critical in facilitating a society that is more environmentally conscious and willing to practice environmentally friendly agriculture and food behavior.

The last important recommendation is for the government, where it has a major mandate in passing and implementing laws that will be essential in adapting to climate change. For instance, with the threats of drought, there is a need for the government to put in place irrigation systems that will ensure that farmers can continue to farm all year round (Food Secure Canada, 2017). On the other hand, in the case of floods, the government should be able to invest in the construction of dikes, and other control measures such as dams, and thus reducing the likelihood of floods, which may affect thousands of farmers. The other important approach that the government can use is participating, signing, and implementing international treaties on climate change (Asseng et al., 2013). Such treaties are essential as they allow the country to participate in global efforts towards mitigating or adapting to climate change. The participation of the government in global agreements on climate change is recognition that such efforts cannot be undertaken alone since climate change is not confined to the borders of a single nation.

Conclusion

Overall, the food system of Canada is likely to affect by climate change and makes it difficult for many people to have access to adequate and healthy food. In this case, the recommendations at the individual, institutional, and government levels are important in ensuring that all members and entities of the society take part in the efforts towards mitigation or adaptation to climate change. Such efforts will be essential in ensuring that the progress of climate change is reduced, while any adverse efforts are manageable through adaptation.

References

Asseng, S., Ewert, F., Rosenzweig, C., Jones, J. W., Hatfield, J. L., Ruane, A. C., ... & Brisson, N. (2013). Uncertainty in simulating wheat yields under climate change. Nature Climate Change, 3(9), 827.

Food Secure Canada. (2017, September). Building a healthy, just, and sustainable food system: Food secure Canada's recommendations for a food policy for Canada. Montreal: Food Secure Canada.

Hunt, A., & Watkiss, P. (2011). Climate change impacts and adaptation in cities: a review of the literature. Climatic Change, 104(1), 13-49.

Lemmen, D. S., Lacroix, J., & Warren, F. J. (2008). From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate, 2007: Synthesis. The government of Canada.

Vermeulen, S. J., Campbell, B. M., & Ingram, J. S. (2012). Climate change and food systems. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 37, 195-222.

Willox, A. C., Harper, S. L., Ford, J. D., Landman, K., Houle, K., & Edge, V. L. (2012). "From this place and of this place:" Climate change, sense of place, and health in Nunatsiavut, Canada. Social science & medicine, 75(3), 538-547.