January 04, 2022

Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture in Idaho

 

Hatzenbuehler, P., Wardropper, C., Adjesiwor, A., Ansah, E. O., Burnham, M., de Haro-Martí, Dentzman, K., Findlay, J. R., Glaze Jr., J. B., Hinds, J., Jansen, V., Karl, J., Lamichhane, R., Lew, R., Olsen, N., Powell, M., Running, K., Sagers, J., Schott, L., Walsh, O., and Wilson, B. 2021. Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture in Idaho. Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment. James A. & Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, University of Idaho. Boise, ID. pp 46

ICEIA main website: https://www.uidaho.edu/president/direct-reports/mcclure-center/iceia 

ICEIA Agriculture website: https://www.uidaho.edu/president/direct-reports/mcclure-center/iceia/agriculture 


The agricultural sector comprises an important part of the Idaho economy, with agriculture and
food and beverage processing accounting for over 18% of total business sales (Idaho State
Department of Agriculture (ISDA), 2020). Conditions in the sector influence the lives of all
Idahoans to at least some degree through provision of food that fuels daily activities. The goal of this report is to describe the economic risks and opportunities for the Idaho agricultural sector in the context of climate change. The report describes current conditions in the Idaho agricultural sector, observed changes in Idaho’s climate and trends in agricultural productivity over the past several decades, projected changes in Idaho’s climate and agricultural productivity for key subsectors, specific effects of the changing climate on key agricultural subsectors as identified in the peer-reviewed research literature, the important linkages between water availability and agricultural sector performance, and existing evidence of adaptation strategy adoption by Idaho farmers.
Given the uncertainty regarding future conditions for the climate, environmental resource policy, agricultural markets, demographics, and general macroeconomic conditions, a numerical estimation of economy-wide variables was not calculated. However, the report provides stakeholders essential information that characterizes the linkages between climate and agricultural production and the risks and opportunities based on their location, current climate conditions, and projections for future climate and water availability. Additionally, many
plausible adaptation strategies that Idaho farmers and ranchers may adopt in response to future changes in climate are provided. Such insights can be used by policymakers and stakeholders to consider potential impacts on their own institutions and businesses and plan appropriate responses. The interactions between adjustments in grower practices in the context of climate change, and especially the effects of such shifts on water availability, will be key to explaining the performance of the Idaho agricultural sector in the decades ahead. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.