Global warming is driving Canadian agriculture

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Looking out over the green fields of Saskatchewan or the salmon-rich waters of British Columbia, it's easy to forget that just 12,000 years ago, much of Canada lay under miles of ice.

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The Canada we know today – a mosaic of thriving ecosystems and abundant farmlands – is the product of a remarkable transformation that began with the decline of the last glacial advance and the onset of the warm Holocene interglacial period.

The birth of Canadian agriculture

Beginning about 11,000 years ago, Holocene warmth and the retreat of massive continental glaciers enabled humans to engage in agricultural activities. People transferred from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to a more sustainable lifestyle with permanent settlements.

North America was no different, with Canadian flora and fauna thriving in the newfound warmth. Studies on the spatial and temporal pattern of Holocene climate change in the Canadian Arctic show that the temperature profile is quite complex, resulting from changes at the global level.

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Much of the north Canada survived the terrible little ice age in 1500, dangerous re-immerse the continent's vegetation under the ice. Fortunately, the Earth returned to natural warming in the 18th century.

The 20th century in particular saw significant warming that had a profoundly positive impact on Canada's landscape and agricultural potential.

Recent increases in temperatures have pushed the boundaries of arable land north, extending growing seasons and opening up new crop opportunities. Crops like corn that were once considered impossible in many parts of Canada are now considered impossible now it's blooming.

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“Higher temperatures and longer frost-free seasons could increase productivity around the world, but especially in northern regions and the southern and central prairies,” he added. reports Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Additionally, it ensures higher survival of young animals while reducing the costs of energy and animal feed.

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This climate change – coupled with human-caused increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations₂ concentrations that stimulate plant photosynthesis and advances in agricultural technology — have contributed to doubling the size of the average Canadian farm over the last 50 years.

Better growing conditions for a variety of crops

While traditional staples such as wheat, barley and canola remain important, now joined by an impressive range of products such as world-class apples, cherries and wine grapes in the Okanagan Valley and melons in Newfoundland.

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Canada is currently the world's largest producer and exporter of lentils – a niche crop popularized in agricultural Canada by South Asian migrants. Experimentation with new crops and techniques was the driving force behind cultivation in Canada agricultural diversity and productivity.

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The latest version of AAFC report says: “Production of all major field crops (in 2024–25) is estimated to have increased by 1.8% year-on-year, or 2.4% above the average of the previous five years.”

Higher crop production rates mean more efficient animal husbandry. Despite export disruptions caused by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) from 2003 to 2015, the value of Canadian beef and veal exports more than three times between 2013 and 2022.

The value of gross production from agriculture is it is expected to almost double in the years 2018-2028. The annual increase in the value of agricultural production within five years will be one of the highest.

Even those who subscribe to the fallacious apocalyptic vision of climate change, they acknowledge that “Canadian regions that were previously limited by shorter growing seasons may find new opportunities for agriculture, such as double harvesting or growing crops that were not previously profitable.”

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It cannot be denied that human civilization has benefited greatly from the warming that has occurred over the last century and earlier periods of the Holocene. This reality is quite noticeable in Canada, as areas once unsuitable for farming are now some of the most productive in the world.

Canadian farmers are grateful for a longer growing season and a greater abundance of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which better nourishes plants.

So should the rest of us.

After all, the Earth is nearing the end of the current interglacial period and, according to the pattern of geological history, can expect the resurgence of miles-thick glaciers in the coming millennia.

— Vijay Jayaraj is a Research Associate at CON₂ CoalitionArlington, Virginia. He completed his pre-doctoral studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada. He He holds an MSc in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Management from Robert Gordon University in the UK and a BSc in Engineering from Anna University in India.

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