Metadata
The BC Agriculture Climate Change
Adaptation Risk + Opportunity
Assessment is intended to improve collective
knowledge of how changes to the climate may
impact agricultural commodities in key regions of
BC, and the risks and opportunities associated with
these impacts. The most important element of this
assessment has been gathering perspectives from
agricultural producers about their ability to adapt to
current and projected challenges and opportunities,
as well as identification of approaches, tools and
resources required to better support adaptation.
To address the project’s goals, a review of existing
research in the areas of climate science and climate
change and agriculture was conducted. Data regarding
the current state of the BC sector was also reviewed.
Original data was collected through thirty-seven
interviews and twelve focus groups with producers
and specialists across the province. Interviews were
focused on assessing how well individual producers
felt they could adapt to a range of current challenges
and opportunities. The focus groups brought together
small groups of producers and other specialists to
discuss the projected changes in climate, and the
associated risks and opportunities for their operations,
regions and commodities.
This project is an initial step in building knowledge
and understanding of the implications of climate
change for BC agriculture. The incredible diversity
of the BC agriculture sector cannot be captured in a
single study. Due to the limited breadth and scope
of this study, a select number of commodities and
regions were included. However, this study does offer
a foundation or baseline; a starting point for further
dialogue as well as guidance for development of
approaches and resources to enhance BC’s agriculture
sector in a changing climate.
The overall findings of this project are available
through a provincial report. In addition, a series of
region/commodity “Snapshot” reports have been
developed. This “Snapshot” report is intended to
communicate the findings and key action items
associated with mixed livestock and horticulture crop
production on Vancouver Island, with a particular
focus on the Comox and Cowichan Valleys. The
study’s overall recommendations (that apply across
the province) are available through an Executive
Summary document.
Report structure
■ Agricultural Profile provides a high level description
of the sector, its major characteristics and context
■ Adaptive Capacity highlights challenges, strengths
and variations in the Vancouver Island sector’s
capacity to adapt to challenging conditions
■ Climate Science provides an introduction to the
climate science, including a review of provincial
and regional level climate trends and projections
■ Impacts, Risks & Opportunities outlines
the major climate change impacts, risks and
opportunities for livestock and horticulture crops
■ Key Actions highlights the priority actions
identified through the focus groups
Adaptation Risk + Opportunity
Assessment is intended to improve collective
knowledge of how changes to the climate may
impact agricultural commodities in key regions of
BC, and the risks and opportunities associated with
these impacts. The most important element of this
assessment has been gathering perspectives from
agricultural producers about their ability to adapt to
current and projected challenges and opportunities,
as well as identification of approaches, tools and
resources required to better support adaptation.
To address the project’s goals, a review of existing
research in the areas of climate science and climate
change and agriculture was conducted. Data regarding
the current state of the BC sector was also reviewed.
Original data was collected through thirty-seven
interviews and twelve focus groups with producers
and specialists across the province. Interviews were
focused on assessing how well individual producers
felt they could adapt to a range of current challenges
and opportunities. The focus groups brought together
small groups of producers and other specialists to
discuss the projected changes in climate, and the
associated risks and opportunities for their operations,
regions and commodities.
This project is an initial step in building knowledge
and understanding of the implications of climate
change for BC agriculture. The incredible diversity
of the BC agriculture sector cannot be captured in a
single study. Due to the limited breadth and scope
of this study, a select number of commodities and
regions were included. However, this study does offer
a foundation or baseline; a starting point for further
dialogue as well as guidance for development of
approaches and resources to enhance BC’s agriculture
sector in a changing climate.
The overall findings of this project are available
through a provincial report. In addition, a series of
region/commodity “Snapshot” reports have been
developed. This “Snapshot” report is intended to
communicate the findings and key action items
associated with mixed livestock and horticulture crop
production on Vancouver Island, with a particular
focus on the Comox and Cowichan Valleys. The
study’s overall recommendations (that apply across
the province) are available through an Executive
Summary document.
Report structure
■ Agricultural Profile provides a high level description
of the sector, its major characteristics and context
■ Adaptive Capacity highlights challenges, strengths
and variations in the Vancouver Island sector’s
capacity to adapt to challenging conditions
■ Climate Science provides an introduction to the
climate science, including a review of provincial
and regional level climate trends and projections
■ Impacts, Risks & Opportunities outlines
the major climate change impacts, risks and
opportunities for livestock and horticulture crops
■ Key Actions highlights the priority actions
identified through the focus groups
Tags
Audience
Commodity