Agricultural biotechnology offers significant potential in tackling climate change’s causes and consequences. It plays a crucial role in achieving broader societal goals, including poverty reduction, improved global food security, and minimizing agriculture’s environmental footprint. Biotechnology is a key component in the USDA’s strategy for a healthy planet and a sustainable future.
Contents
- 1 Understanding Climate Change: Causes and Impacts
- 2 Biotechnology: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
- 3 Biotechnology in Action: Examples of Climate Resilience
- 4 Biotechnology for a Sustainable Future
- 5 The Future of Biotechnology and Climate Change
- 6 Global Collaboration and Policy Considerations
- 7 Investing in a Sustainable Future
- 8 Biotechnology and Sustainable Development Goals
- 9 Conclusion: Embracing Biotechnology for a Resilient Future
Understanding Climate Change: Causes and Impacts
Human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, significantly influence the climate. In 2018, agriculture and forestry in the U.S. accounted for approximately 10.5% of these emissions (USDA-ERS). Climate change impacts agriculture through rising temperatures, increased frequency, and intensified extreme weather events.
Climate change impacts on agriculture. Image adapted from Application of Gene Editing for Climate Change in Agriculture (2021).
Biotechnology: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
Impact of drought on corn crops visualized by President Obama. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
Agricultural biotechnology offers strategies for both mitigating climate change and enhancing adaptation to its effects. Biotech-developed products can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction. Examples include cover crops for sustainable biofuels, fruits and vegetables engineered for extended freshness (reducing food waste), and research into utilizing trees and microbes to sequester excess atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Biotechnology empowers plant and animal breeders to accelerate the development of varieties resilient to changing environmental conditions. This includes tolerance to drought, increased temperatures, emerging diseases, and other environmental stressors.
Biotechnology in Action: Examples of Climate Resilience
SLICK gene cattle demonstrate improved heat tolerance. Their shorter hair helps regulate body temperature in hot climates.
Plant breeders leverage biotechnology to develop drought-tolerant crops like wheat, rice, tomato, soybean, and cotton. Drought-tolerant corn, including genetically engineered varieties, is already cultivated in drought-prone U.S. regions. Similar drought-tolerant wheat varieties are approved for use in Argentina and Brazil.
In animal agriculture, biotechnology, including genome editing, is used to develop heat-tolerant cattle. These animals exhibit enhanced thermoregulation in hot conditions, experiencing reduced heat stress due to shorter hair and metabolic adaptations.
Biotechnology for a Sustainable Future
Pollinator-friendly practices are crucial for a sustainable ecosystem. Here, a butterfly feeds on a Zinnia flower at the Bee Research Lab pollinator garden.
Beyond climate change mitigation and adaptation, agricultural biotechnology contributes to the sustainability of our food systems. The United States leads in agricultural research and development, striving to improve productivity and promote climate-smart natural resource management in agriculture.
Evidence-based innovation and science, including biotechnology, expand the toolbox available to farmers, fishers, and producers. This enables them to produce more with less—less land, less water, and fewer inputs. Such innovation is essential for food systems to meet evolving demands and challenges. Increased agricultural productivity reduces environmental impacts, alleviates poverty, enhances food security and nutrition, and improves living standards.
The Future of Biotechnology and Climate Change
The ongoing development and application of biotechnology hold immense promise for addressing climate change’s complex challenges. Further research and innovation in areas such as gene editing, synthetic biology, and precision agriculture will continue to refine and expand the potential of biotechnology.
Specifically, improving photosynthetic efficiency, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, and developing climate-resilient livestock breeds are key areas of focus. Coupled with sustainable agricultural practices, biotechnology can play a pivotal role in creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape.
Global Collaboration and Policy Considerations
International collaboration and effective policy frameworks are crucial for realizing the full potential of biotechnology in addressing climate change. Sharing research findings, best practices, and technological advancements across borders will accelerate progress. Furthermore, clear and science-based regulations are essential to foster innovation while ensuring environmental and human safety.
Investing in a Sustainable Future
Investing in agricultural biotechnology research and development is an investment in a sustainable future. Supporting innovation in this field will equip us with the tools and technologies necessary to combat climate change, ensure food security, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for all. By embracing the potential of biotechnology, we can create a healthier planet and a more sustainable world.
Biotechnology and Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for global action towards a more sustainable future. Agricultural biotechnology aligns with several key SDGs, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By harnessing the power of biotechnology, we can accelerate progress towards achieving these critical goals and building a more equitable and sustainable world.
Conclusion: Embracing Biotechnology for a Resilient Future
Biotechnology offers a powerful suite of tools to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and food security. By fostering innovation, promoting sustainable practices, and investing in research, we can unlock the full potential of biotechnology to build a more resilient and sustainable future for all. The journey towards a climate-resilient and food-secure world requires a multifaceted approach. Biotechnology, when integrated with other sustainable practices, offers a significant contribution to this global endeavor. Embracing its potential is crucial for navigating the challenges ahead and building a brighter future.