Top Posts
African climate change projects secure major funding
Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...
NDDC, FOSDO launch tree-planting campaign to address climate...
WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...
New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...
Lagos to Host 2025 International Climate Change Summit
New study shows overheating world will add 57...
NAICOM urges W’African insurers to invest in climate...
Climate change: Nigeria, development partners launch Net Zero...
Nigeria launches net zero project to fight climate...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Texas ag agency says climate change affects state’s food supply

by Matthew Atungwu January 4, 2023
written by Matthew Atungwu January 4, 2023
661

A new Texas Department of Agriculture assessment has connected climate change to food insecurity and recognized it as a potential threat to the state’s food supply, following a severe drought that damaged crops from the High Plains to South Texas.

The TDA and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley coordinated the food access study, which found that “climate instability” is significantly linked to soil loss, water quality, droughts, fires, floods, and other environmental calamities.

2022 was one of Texas’ driest years on record, with 49% of the state still in drought conditions by the end of December. The drought caused failing harvests, low yields for farmers, and less pasture, forcing ranchers to cull their cattle and resulting in the biggest volume of livestock sold in more than a decade – about 2.7 million.

“From the agricultural perspective, concerns were expressed regarding droughts, drying up of [artesian] wells, water use restrictions, fire threats and dangerous conditions for farm workers,” the report says.

According to Victor Murphy, a climate service program manager with the National Weather Service, extended dry periods have harmed Texas’ agricultural production.

“We’re seeing longer periods without any precipitation, then when it does come, it’s in shorter, more intense bursts,” he said.

Texas received a comparable amount of precipitation in 2022 as it did in 2021, however, the majority of that precipitation fell all at once at the end of summer.

Much of the state had the worst drought conditions from June to August, when plants are still growing in the high heat of summer. This stood in stark contrast to the subsequent torrential rain totals. The Dallas-Fort Worth area was slammed with a 1,000-year flood at the end of August, with 13 inches of rain falling in 18 hours.

“It is very difficult being a producer to have high and consistent yields with this kind of weather whiplash of extremes,” Murphy said. “It’s extremely difficult to prepare for a precipitation pattern that features long periods of near zero rainfall and short periods of extreme precipitation.”

The report recommends several actions, including having farmers work alongside researchers and policymakers, creating more food forests that allow trees to restore soil health and improve water quality, and strengthening bonds between local farmers and businesses to boost the farm-to-school infrastructure.

This story was adapted from Texas tribune.

AgencyClimate changeFood supplyImpactTexas
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
Environmentalist calls for adoption of renewable energy to address climate change effects
next post
City Hall establishes climate change fund

Related Posts

Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...

October 22, 2025

WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...

October 20, 2025

New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...

October 20, 2025

New study shows overheating world will add 57...

October 16, 2025

Heaviest monsoon in a decade kills 458 people...

October 9, 2025

Council releases first fully electric bin lorry

October 9, 2025

Study shows US asthma inhalers produce same emissions...

October 7, 2025

Pope Leo hits out at climate change critics

October 3, 2025

Protesters seek $5tr payment from fossil fuel companies

October 1, 2025

UN official says climate change displaces up to...

September 30, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World