GoingToMeet

Agricultural and natural resource managers need climate information to address short- and long-term challenges posed by variable and changing climate at the regional and local levels. Agricultural and natural resource managers need information on the combined impacts of climate variability, including extreme events, and climate change. Risks posed by climate variability would include hurricanes, drought, floods, freezes, heat stress, and wild fires. Risks posed by climate change, include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme events, sea level rise, and agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases. In addition to risks, climate change offers new economic opportunities for agricultural and natural resource managers, such as bio-fuel production and carbon sequestration.

Because of the complex interplay between agricultural and natural resource vulnerabilities, risks, and opportunities, solutions will depend on integrated research, teaching, and extension programs, with decision-makers and other stakeholders included as partners in these programs. It is likely that we will need educational curricula, new research programs, and new communications tools to provide information that decision makers will need to manage risks and benefit from new opportunities.