“Climate Change is change in weather patterns over decades. Climate Change is a natural phenomenon with 97% of scientist agreeing that current human activities are accelerating it”
How climate change has affected growth on cotton farms
Climate change has become a national and international issue. Australian cotton growers deal with the effects of climate change every day and it dictates a lot about a farmer’s daily life. Cotton growers, like other farmers, depend on the natural environment and the weather to produce their crop.
The increase in temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide has resulted in the lack of cotton growth. Statistics show that climate change has caused decreased the amount of rainfall and increased frequencies of extreme weather patterns. The cotton industry and scientists are working together to find ways to prevent impacts of climate change for cotton growers/farmers.
Some of the ways to reduce impacts of climate change are:
Research has now found climate change could reduce agricultural crop production sooner than predicted. Farmers will have to improve crop yields, and other agricultural production such as cotton, by approximately 14% per decade, over the next several decades to come for future generations.
Australian cotton production is in the hands of a relatively small number of farmers (about 1,200). Production is large-scale and capital-intensive. Eighty percent of production is irrigated. Water availability is a serious problem in New South Wales and Queensland. River systems are currently over-exploited. Drought in recent years has further aggravated the water problem and severely limited production. Climate change is expected to increase temperatures such that the growing season may start earlier and end later, while the number of ‘cold shock’ events will decline, and new production areas may be developed in the North, provided water is available. Heat stress, however, is also likely to increase and may depress cotton development and fruit formation.
The increase in temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide has resulted in the lack of cotton growth. Statistics show that climate change has caused decreased the amount of rainfall and increased frequencies of extreme weather patterns. The cotton industry and scientists are working together to find ways to prevent impacts of climate change for cotton growers/farmers.
Some of the ways to reduce impacts of climate change are:
- Nitrogen used efficiently
- Alternative sources of nitrogen such as ‘green manure’ legume crops.
- Nitrogen loss inhibitors
- Avoiding water logging
- Soil management
- Energy used efficiently
Research has now found climate change could reduce agricultural crop production sooner than predicted. Farmers will have to improve crop yields, and other agricultural production such as cotton, by approximately 14% per decade, over the next several decades to come for future generations.
Australian cotton production is in the hands of a relatively small number of farmers (about 1,200). Production is large-scale and capital-intensive. Eighty percent of production is irrigated. Water availability is a serious problem in New South Wales and Queensland. River systems are currently over-exploited. Drought in recent years has further aggravated the water problem and severely limited production. Climate change is expected to increase temperatures such that the growing season may start earlier and end later, while the number of ‘cold shock’ events will decline, and new production areas may be developed in the North, provided water is available. Heat stress, however, is also likely to increase and may depress cotton development and fruit formation.
What are farmers doing to help prevent the effects of climate change?
Australian cotton farmers continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the land’s ability to store more carbon.
Here are some of the things they do;
Here are some of the things they do;
- Using fuel-efficient farming machinery
- Using renewable and alternative energy sources and fuel
- Conserving and managing native vegetation in farming areas
- Developing a more sustainable environment that is resilient against droughts or other extreme weather changes
- Farmers use a carbon footprint calculator to see where and how they can reduce their own impact on climate change
- Reducing the use of chemicals, pesticides and insecticides
- Using more efficient ways of using water
- Increasing the use of natural resources
What can we do to help?
- We can help by growing our own vegetables and fruits.
- We can help by planting a tree. Our new plants and trees will help to remove the greenhouse gas CO2 from the air.
- If we grow some of our own food, we might also help them to prevent more CO2 from entering the air from the fossil-fuel-burning trucks, planes.
- Buy energy efficient products.
- Conserve energy at home and at work.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Make wise transport choices.
- Educate each other on Climate Change and what we can do to help prevent it.