London | Reuters — The world faces a 50 per cent chance of warming of 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, if only briefly, by 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday. That does not mean the world would be crossing the long-term warming threshold of 1.5 C (2.7 F), which scientists have set […] Read more
World could see 1.5 C of warming in next five years, WMO reports
Environmental measures to be studied
Reading Time: < 1 minute Old College’s Smart Farm has been given a $440,000 federal grant for research on livestock production — specifically to “test products and technologies for improving environmental sustainability and climate change resiliency in Western Canada.” The money will be used by the college’s Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production, specifically a 308-acre site at Pitstra Farm […] Read more
Cover cropping program looks to encourage innovation
The program is quite flexible, says head of the provincial agency administering funding
Reading Time: 2 minutes The feds are putting up $33 million to encourage Alberta farmers to adopt three practices that can lower greenhouse gas emissions: rotational grazing, 4R fertilizer practices, and cover cropping. Alberta’s share of the $183-million On-Farm Climate Action Fund program is being administered by Results Driven Agriculture Research, the provincial research funding agency. Although details are […] Read more
Schoepp: It’s time to dispel a key myth about cattle and greenhouse gases
We can reduce cattle emissions but the focus should be on the real source of atmospheric warming
Reading Time: 3 minutes On the small island of Meares off the West Coast of Canada there is a herd of wild cattle. They are a cross of Shorthorn, Hereford and Jersey and the offspring resemble a long-legged red and white calf. What is unique about these cattle is their diet. Just as the coastal wolves are fishing wolves, […] Read more
Canada lays out $9.1 billion roadmap to meet 2030 climate targets
About $1 billion earmarked for new or expanded ag programs
Reuters — Canada released its first real roadmap to meeting 2030 climate targets on Tuesday, laying out detailed plans and $9.1 billion in new spending to cut planet-warming carbon emissions after years failing to meet its goals. The Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) is the first time Canada has had a comprehensive plan, rather than just […] Read more
An open road ahead? Feds offer cash for fertilizer stewardship
Farmers could get up to $75,000 to move to rotational grazing, cover cropping or 4R stewardship
Reading Time: 5 minutes Upping your management game just got a lot more attractive. Producers willing to adopt rotational grazing, 4R fertilizer stewardship or cover crops will be able to get as much as $75,000 per farm from Ottawa’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund. [Read more] Feds seek ideas and feedback on reducing fertilizer emissions “The objective of the program […] Read more
PHOTOS: The case for cutting N2O fertilizer emissions
The federal government wants farmers to cut nitrous oxide emissions by 30 per cent
Reading Time: < 1 minute The charts included in this gallery are from a federal government document that lays out the case for cutting GHG emissions from fertilizer use in Canada by 30 per cent by 2030. It can be found at the Government of Canada website at ‘Share ideas: Fertilizer emissions reduction target.’
Schoepp: The cost of climate change action shouldn’t fall on the few
Big changes are being contemplated — farmers should be part of the planning and be fairly supported
Reading Time: 3 minutes Climate consciousness has been replaced by a sense of urgency, much of it focused on Canadian agriculture. Before we begin the climate conversation, let us go to other areas of the world. Recently I spoke at length with friends in Europe where the momentum on climate action in Germany had resulted in embracing wind power. […] Read more
Approach carbon markets with an open mind, says proponent
Farmers need to consider what the developing carbon market could do for their business
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Despite all the uncertainties, carbon markets are an opportunity for farmers and should be seen as a business opportunity, says the head of the Alberta-based non-profit Biological Carbon Canada. “Carbon represents a brand new market,” Graham Gilchrist said at a recent virtual event hosted by an Ontario input supplier and grain dealer. […] Read more
Last year was world’s sixth-warmest on record, U.S. scientists say
Heat content of oceans at record level, NOAA says
Reuters — Last year ranked as the sixth-warmest year on record, causing extreme weather events around the world and adding to evidence supporting the globe’s long-term warming, according to an analysis on Thursday by two U.S. government agencies. The data compiled by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA also revealed that […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
