How will climate change affect midwest agriculture?
Senate Ag chair @PatRoberts: “I don’t think there’s any question climate change has affected things. And we’re going to have to take a hard look at that, but agricultural technology is an amazing thing.” https://t.co/u0ZUq6IFCi #ksleg
— Bryan Lowry (@BryanLowry3) November 26, 2018
“Any change in the climate poses a major challenge to agriculture through increased rates of crop failure, reduced livestock productivity and altered rates of pressure from pests, weeds and diseases,” according to the report’s chapter on agriculture. “Rural communities, where economies are more tightly interconnected with agriculture than with other sectors, are particularly vulnerable to the agricultural volatility related to climate.”
But the report, vetted by 13 government agencies, holds out hope that agriculture can adapt to climate change with “planting decisions, farming practices and the use of technology.”
Kansas follows a national trend. Governor-elect Laura Kelly’s map is a striking example.
What could an urban-rural divide mean in Kansas politics in the future? https://t.co/KWXk7ZOITu
— Mark S. Getzfred (@marknyt) November 27, 2018
Kelly won nine Kansas counties, but none west of Wichita and only one in southeast Kansas. Kansas House and Senate maps show vast swaths of red in western and central Kansas, too.
“Kansas is paralleling the United States as a whole and this election we see it starkly,” said Bob Beatty, a political scientist at Washburn University.
The National Weather Service predicts highs in the forties starting Thursday, but more cold temps look to return soon after.
This winter is a lot like Cousin Eddie, shows up uninvited and doesn’t plan on leaving through next month.
Climate Prediction Center’s Extended Outlooks call for >50% chance of below normal Temps Dec 2nd-10th. pic.twitter.com/QguzRa7mpO
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) November 27, 2018
Brief is a roundup from St. Joe Post and around the web. The Associated Press contributed to this report.