Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Adapting to climate change is important

Senior climatologist David Phillips stresses the importance of adapting to climate change

David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment
 Canada for the past 45 years, gives a forecast at
 the Prairie Oat Growers Association 18th annual conference
at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa on Dec. 3, 2015.
Lisa Goudy/Times-Herald

By Lisa Goudy

Warmer. Wetter. Wilder.

That's what David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, is predicting for the planet when Canada turns 200 years old.

"Climate change will have a significant if not catastrophic effect on world agriculture over the years to come," said Phillips. "It is estimated, for example, that the global yields of three of the biggest calorie-intake crops - rice, corn and wheat - may very well decrease by 20 to 40 per cent because of heat stress, drought globally."

He said by 2067, Earth would be 2.5 degrees Celsius warmer with 50 per cent more heat. This means there will be a longer growing season. He also predicted a 10 per cent increase in precipitation, although the effect will be less because of warmer temperatures.

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