The challenges fraught opportunity of agriculture expansion into boreal and Arctic regions

T. Klöffel, E.H. Young, N. Borchard, J.D. Vallotton, E. Nurmi, N.J. Shurpali, F. Urbano Tenorio, X. Liu, G.H.F. Young and A. Unc

Agricultural Systems, 2022, vol. 203, issue C

Abstract: Accelerated global warming in the cold-climate boreal and Arctic regions facilitates intensification and expansion of agriculture. However, current boreal and Arctic governmental policies targeting agricultural development differ among regions creating the risk for serious consequences for provision of goods and ecosystem services. On June 29th, 2021 we organized a United Nations Summit dialogue on “Local and global food security shaped by northern agriculture” to complement a 2019 survey of the scientific community on boreal and Arctic agriculture. The 33 attendees concluded that while climate change might offer significant agricultural opportunities in boreal and Arctic communities such as increased food security, sovereignty, and economic development, this should not be considered lightly and without strong support for environmental sustainability as carbon and biodiversity losses are main risks. Attendees expressed that using existing agricultural lands more efficiently is likely a better option than converting forest to new agricultural lands. It was also confirmed by the attendees that consistent policies are needed across northern jurisdictions that, above all else, consider environmental consequences followed by local food needs and interests. We and the attendees propose that this can only be ensured through further research and effective dialogues which reflect the needs and concerns of all members of the northern communities, including farmers.

Keywords: Northern agriculture; Boreal; Arctic; Climate change; Land use and land use change; Perspectives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agisys:v:203:y:2022:i:c:s0308521x22001433

DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103507

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