Media Advisory: CFAES Experts Can Address Climate Change Report

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(Photo: Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences are available to discuss with the media the effects of climate change on the environment in light of the recently released national climate report.

The Fourth National Climate Assessment, which the White House released Nov. 23, states Earth’s climate is “changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization” and that the primary cause is human activity.

For agriculture, the impact of rising temperatures is significant, according to the report.

“Increases in temperatures during the growing season in the Midwest are projected to be the largest contributing factor to declines in the productivity of U.S. agriculture,” the report states.

Climate change will continue to affect the health of livestock, crop yields and quality, and the economy of rural communities, according to the report.

It also states that “rising temperatures, extreme heat, drought, wildfire on rangelands, and heavy downpours are expected to increasingly disrupt agricultural productivity in the United States.”

In CFAES at The Ohio State University, a world-renowned soil scientist along with an agricultural economist and a climate specialist are available for interviews:

  • Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science, can discuss how soil can help fight global warming by locking up carbon dioxide. Lal can be reached at lal.1@osu.edu or 614-292-9069.
  • Brent Sohngen, an agricultural economist, can discuss climate change and its impact on agriculture, including forests. He can also discuss policies and measures that can be used to curb carbon emissions. Sohngen can be reached at sohngen.1@osu.edu or 614-688-4640.
  • Aaron Wilson, climate specialist with Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of CFAES, can discuss the effects of climate change in Ohio, including on agriculture. He can be reached at wilson.1010@osu.edu or 614-292-7930.

 

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