YORKTON - Saskatchewan farmers should feel justifiably proud of the results of a recent study which analyzed the carbon footprint of five key crops found emissions in the province are considerably lower than other leading producers.
The Global Institute for Food Security released the results of its study recently, and as a result it has been suggested Saskatchewan’s sustainable farming practices are the reason for the low emissions.
That is the most encouraging aspect of the results.
If farm practices are at the centre of the better results it stands to reason the practices can be copied and duplicated, at least largely, which can help other agriculture areas achieve better results.
But, there are bigger questions that the study doesn’t exactly answer, at least in a clear and definitive way.
To start with, are the changes we are seeing the result of human-caused emissions, or is this a long time change running it’s course.
Of course either way we need to figure ways to adapt to the changes, in particular farming as that is where our food comes from, but knowing for sure it’s something we are doing makes a difference. It is almost assured human activity is at that the very least a negative contributor to the situation, but how do we convince the many naysayers.
And among the sources of emissions exactly how much of the blame can be applied to agriculture?
It has to at least be asked if farming is being painted a villain because sectors such as air traffic or coal burning sourced energy have PR departments with deeper pockets?
It is critical we know where to invest most wisely in changing processes to effect the most positive change for our dollars spent.
Then there is another question that must be asked, even if farming is a contributor can we expect the sector to bare the cost of change, and still be as effective in terms of production, in a world were the mouths needing fed continues to climb?
That may well become the most difficult thing to balance, effecting emissions in a positive way, yet allowing fertilizers and other crop processes to continue so the food produced remains enough to feed everyone.
Of course if changes aren’t made what will climate change – whatever its cause – do to farm production?
That is the proverbial other shoe to drop in terms of how we fair, and live in the years ahead.
Kudos to Saskatchewan farmers for being at least on the right track – let’s hope what they have done well will be adopted more widely as we prepare for the impact of changes we know are coming.
