As Climate Change Debate Heats Up, UN Experts Warn ‘We Are Running Out of Time’

United Nations News Service

The United Nations weather agency today voiced concerns over the surge of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, which has reached a new record high in 2013, amid worrying sings that oceans and biosphere seem unable to soak up emissions as quickly as they used to. Story here.

The oceans of the world absorb massive amounts of heat, 

delaying the worst effects of climate change on land. P in P photo.

Manitoba Bee Mortality Down

Manitoba Co-Operator

Bee mortality in Manitoba varied greatly from region to region last winter, but most honey producers saw improvements. Story here.

P in P photo.

U.N. Pushes Climate-Smart Agriculture – But Are the Farmers Willing to Change?

INTER PRESS SERVICE

Is this climate-smart agriculture? Farmin' North American style!

KARNAL, India, Sep 17 2014 (IPS) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to make a strong pitch to world political leaders at the U.N. Climate Summit in New York on Sep. 23 to accept new emissions targets and their timelines. Story here.

Does Farming Contribute as Many Nutrients to Our Waterways as Sometimes Believed? A Unique Manitoba Project Suggests, Maybe Not!

Manitoba Co-Operator

Ducks in a nutrient-rich river 

in Manitoba. P in P photo.

Ultimately, storing water on the land isn’t just about flood control, it’s about capitalizing on available nutrients as well. Story here.

The Planet Just Had Its Warmest August On Record

The Huffington Post

P in P photo

This past August was the warmest since records began in 1881, according to new data released by NASA. The latest readings continue a series of record or near-record breaking months. May of this year was also the warmest in recorded history. Story here.

Blogger Strikes a Nerve With the Top Gun in Canadian "Agri-Biz"

by Ted Menzies, President of CropLife Canada.

In response to Larry Powell’s Aug. 19 article, " New Studies Show Farm Chemicals Are Affecting More Than Bees. Bird Populations are Declining, Too. Is Modern Agriculture's Hold on Nature Turning Into a Death Grip?" and his letter to the editor on Sept. 5 regarding the lack of replies;

Ted Menzies, President of CropLife Canada. 

Inflammatory language such as that expressed in the article "Is agriculture’s toxic hold turning into a death grip?" creates a false impression that is both unfair to farmers and inaccurate. Farmers overwhelmingly choose to grow genetically-improved varieties of corn, canola, soybeans and other crops due to the numerous benefits they offer, such as increased yields, which allows more food to be produced on the same amount of land. The plant science industry is committed to the responsible use of its products. Neonicotinoid seed treatments use a very small amount of pesticide and place it directly where it needs to be to protect the crop, thereby reducing the risk to non-target organisms, such as bees, and the environment. 

Pesticides, whether used on conventional or organic farms, undergo a rigorous scientific review and assessment by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency – this includes its persistence and impact on aquatic insects and birds. Pest control products are only approved for use once a scientific evaluation demonstrates no harm to human health, future generations or the environment.

Agriculture in Canada has never been more sustainable than it is today and part of the reason is the use of innovative products — like neonicotinoid seed treatments. Our industry welcomes questions about our products and looks forward to future opportunities to set the record straight about their safety and our deep commitment to working with all stakeholders to continue to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture.

Ted Menzies

President, CropLife Canada 

Canada PM to Miss UN Climate Summit

The

Hill

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper won't be attending the United Nations climate summit in New York this month. Story here.