ASA joined a number of agriculture groups at this week’s UN Climate Summit, signing on to play a leadership role in a new, three-year North American initiative that will give farmers the opportunity to work with industry, academic, government and NGO partners to develop needed improvements to production resiliency and mitigate the risks of changing climate conditions.

The North American Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative is led by A. G. Kawamura, a former secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture and a co-chairman of Solutions from the Land.  Kawamura said the North American initiative will offer a platform to facilitate discussion among stakeholders about new adaptation practices, tools and production systems; as well as review the latest information on what science is saying about changing climatic conditions and the impact those changing conditions will have on U.S. agriculture and forestry industries.

“ASA is proud to be part of the North American Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative, which will serve as a platform for great minds to come together and discuss solutions as we adapt to a changing climate, while keeping good stewardship of the land at the forefront,” said ASA President Ray Gaesser. “It’s important that those of us in the agriculture industry come together to lead discussion and work toward ensuring our resources are used effectively, efficiently and sustainably. ”

During the summit, Kawamura cited the findings earlier this year of the National Climate Assessment, a report from more than 300 experts from multiple federal agencies that summarizes the impacts of climate change on the United States now and in the future, that shows climate disruptions to U.S. agricultural production have increased in the past 40 years and are projected to increase over the next 25 years. By mid-century and beyond, these impacts will be increasingly negative on most crops and livestock, the assessment shows.

"The assessment shows that producers have many available strategies for adapting to the average temperature and precipitation changes that are projected for the next 25 years," Kawamura said. "The North American Smart Agriculture Initiative can help promote these strategies, including continued technological advancements, expansion of irrigated acreage, regional shifts in crop acreage and crop species, adjustments in inputs and outputs, and changes in livestock management practices."

Kawamura said Solutions from the Land will support forums, roundtables and summits where agricultural, forestry and conservation leaders and value chain partners can collaborate and engage in joint problem solving and build a broader coalition in addressing adaptation challenges. The group will also collaborate closely with government-sponsored initiatives.

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