New York Farming and Climate Instability Meeting

Join us Wed., January 30th, 9–Noon for a Question & Answer Session with a Local Winter Breakfast Guests: Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, IPCC/NASA scientist & NY farmers Location: Legislative Office Bldg., Hearing Rm. C Sponsors: HWFC, RFFP, NOFA-NY NYS

What to expect:

Higher temperatures overall, with shorter winters, longer summers Increased pest pressure on vegetable crops from insects and weeds Livestock stress (heat and disease) will lead to decline in milk production More extreme events, as floods and droughts; water management problems Traditional fruit crop failures (e.g., apples) due to reduced winter cooling days and to freezing during and after bloom Variable winters (with premature leafing out in mid-winter) will damage trees and orchard crops Marginally over-wintering insects such as ticks will thrive Loss of maple, beech, birch and other cool climate trees Unsustainable changes in synchrony between plants and pollinators, and between animals and their food sources Species migrations to the north and to higher altitudes and species extinctions Changes in sea level will create new coastline and move population centers inland and northward

What can be done:

Support organic/sustainable agriculture--Healthier soils (more organic matter) can sequester carbon and retain water to manage both droughts and floods Support small and medium-sized farms; regulate agribusiness/confined animal operations which are carbon intensive (energy and emissions) & polluting Support local and low-processed foods to reduce fossil fuel used in transportation, processing, refrigeration. Revitalize regional food processing and distribution Guarantee contracts for local foods with public programs and public institutions, such as NY’s hospitals & colleges Support urban farms, community gardens, school gardens (not lawns); also farm markets, CSA’s Support local non-food biomass for local energy. Provide incentives for on-farm solar, methane & wind to improve cooling capacity of livestock facilities, etc. Conserve farmland, wildland and open countryside; regulate sprawl; build in existing population centers Plan wildlife protection and migration corridors to maintain species diversity and prevent extinctions Encourage use of cover crops, rotations, composts, and reduced tillage. Discourage use of energy intensive synthetic fertilizers, which emit nitrous oxide Fund programs to improve irrigation and drainage, prevent soil erosion and run-of, and capture rainwater Adjust plant selection & planting dates; return to use of hardy, bio-diverse heirloom plants and animals Create carbon credits for organic and grazing farmers to honor their role in carbon sequestration

Step It Up 2007

It was a cold, grey April day, but hundreds of dedicated people showed up at the Washington Park in Albany to march to the State Capitol for the first ever Step It Up rally to stop global warming. It was a national day of action, and 1400 locations took part. The movement was begun by author/activist Bill McKibben and a dedicated core of young activists in New Hampshire. To read more about Step It Up, click here.