Several times last year, Canadian Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau found herself stomping through fields talking to farmers dealing with unprecedented floods, drought, and hurricanes. The disasters were an "eye-opener" for many, hinting at a future where the climate crisis will make similar disasters more common — and worse.
"These extreme events are the biggest threat to our production," she said in a December interview with Canada's National Observer. "We need to support farmers in becoming more resilient."
Agriculture is responsible for about 10 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. Most come from methane, a greenhouse gas emitted by livestock and manure, and nitrous oxide, which is generated by the overuse of nitrogen fertilizers. Reducing both types of emissions is possible with regenerative farming techniques that reduce fertilizer use and enhance the health of the soil. These approaches also make farms more resilient to extreme weather, offering protection from droughts and floods.
Read more at nationalobserver.com