Caribbean Area NRCS is helping to combat Climate Change by adopting and implementing several initiatives to improve farm energy efficiency and increase carbon sequestration. Converting land to forest, grassland or other perennial vegetation helps remove carbon from the atmosphere. Likewise, reducing on-farm energy use reduces greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. NRCS is an active member of the Caribbean Climate Subhub.
Video 3 Description: Permaculture, Soil & Water Conservation for Climate Change Adaptation - Farmer Daniella Rodríguez Besosa and a group of ecological farmers grow vegetables, herbs and edible flowers using permaculture techniques and without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. - NEW!
Video 1 Description:Cattle & Dairy Farming in the Tropics focuses on adaptation practices for tropical dairy producers. Drought and heat have hit Caribbean producers hard and have had particularly damaging effects on the livestock and dairy industries.
The USDA Southeast Regional Caribbean Climate Sub Hub, located in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, aims to help Caribbean Area producers manage risk in a variable climate. This multi-agency effort is led by Dr. William A. Gould, Research Ecologist with the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry. The Caribbean Climate Sub Hub is one of seven regional hubs and three subsidiary hubs nationwide. The network of Climate Change Hubs work with USDA to deliver science-based knowledge and practical information to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to help them adapt to climate change and weather variability by coordinating with local and regional partners in federal and state agencies, universities, NGO’s, and the public.
The Hub provides:
Outreach and education for land managers on ways to mitigate risks and thrive despite change.
Technical support for land managers to respond to drought, heat stress, floods, pests, and changes in growing season.
How are climate change and weather variability affecting Caribbean producers?
Climate change directly affects agriculture and forestry in the Caribbean, but climate change in other regions can also impact agriculture. Global and local factors influence land owner decisions and farming success. Climate change in diverse regions affects supply and demand, value, agricultural economics, the state of agriculture and forestry, food security and the culture of rural life.
Climate change represents a threat to vulnerable food security in the Caribbean. We may find new vulnerabilities to pests and introduced species affecting people, livestock, wildlife and plants.
Prime agricultural lands and the most populous areas are predominantly coastal. Sea level rise and alteration of coastal hydrology are critical issues requiring engagement of many agencies and organizations.
Population densities in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are among the highest in the US. Space for agriculture is limited and the need to expand capacity is high. Unemployment and poverty levels are among the highest in the US and climate change represents an additional threat to rural economies.
Working lands are a contributor to the ecosystem services provided by open space, including clean water, habitat and biodiversity.
University of the Virgin Islands Public Forum on Climate Change - January 12, 2016, 5:30 p.m., ACC Conference Room, UVI St. Thomas Campus
El Centro Climático del Caribe presentes ADAPTA, un proyecto de divulgación sobre prácticas de manejo sostenible que agricultores, ganaderos y manejadores forestales pueden adoptar para incrementar su resiliencia al cambio climático. "Ganadería Lechera en el Trópico" es el primer video y presenta medidas de adaptación para ganaderos en el Caribe y áreas tropicales.
The USDA Caribbean Climate Sub Hub has released the first video in the ADAPTA series, which highlights innovative efforts of the agricultural community in the US Caribbean to adapt to climate change. "Cattle & Dairy Farming in the Tropics" is a 13-minute video focusing on adaptation practices for tropical dairy producers.
Carbon Sequestration in Grazing Land Ecosystems - developed by the University of Florida-Extension. This publication provides basic information about the important role of native and improved pastures (referred to as grazing land) in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Because of the relatively high sequestration rates and extensive area, grazing land represents an important component of terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO2) offset and is a significant sink for long-term carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. (September 2015)
Soil Solutions to Climate Problems - Center for Food Safety video narrated by Michael Pollan: “A powerful solution to the climate crisis can be found right beneath our feet—in the soil. By harnessing the immense power of photosynthesis, we can convert atmospheric carbon, a problem, into soil carbon, a solution. Emerging science proves that shifting to regenerative forms of agriculture such as agroecology, agroforestry, cover-cropping, holistic grazing and permaculture will allow us to store excess carbon safely in the ground.”
