Climate Change Causes in the Prairies

Continued development as the population increases has led to more trees being cut down. This deforestation reduces the amount of CO2 that can be taken out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Tree planting efforts must continue. Agroforestry is occurring in Alberta where farm owners are planting trees in agricultural land. Potash mining in Saskatchewan provides fertilizer which leads to plant growth and removal of CO2 but mining potash requires a lot of water. This water use needs to be considered in a drying climate.

Climate Change Effects in the Prairies

The prairies will see a small food production increase because of climate change. The hot weather will increase the growing season. More CO2 will lead to more plant life flourishing. With the hotter temperatures, sufficient irrigation will require more water. With the prairies’ focus on agriculture, industry could increase in a warmer CO2 rich climate. As the risk of fires increase, more money will have to be spent on fire prevention. If fire prevention isn’t pursued, some farms could lose crops due to forest fires.

References

“Case study: trees a new, green cash crop for farmers.” C3 Views, no. 16, Mar. 2006, p. 8. Gale In Context: Canada, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A144105903/GPS?u=43riss&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=415fbddd. Accessed 20 Jan. 2023.

Sorensen, Chris. “Hot commodity: BHP’s bid to buy Potash Corp. has put the global spotlight on Saskatchewan’s business potential.” Maclean’s, vol. 123, no. 35, 13 Sept. 2010, p. 52. Gale In Context: Canada, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A237134199/GPS?u=43riss&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=29d5a40f. Accessed 20 Jan. 2023.

Warren, F.J. and Lemmen, D.S. (2014): Synthesis; in Canada in a Changing Climate: Sector Perspectives on Impacts and Adaptation, (ed.) F.J. Warren and D.S. Lemmen; Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON, p. 1-18