Key Message 1 for the Midwest, “Impacts to Agriculture,” from the third National Climate Assessment, released May 6, 2014 (first post):
In the next few decades,
Longer growing seasons
And rising carbon dioxide levels
Will increase yields of some crops,
Though those benefits will be progressively offset
By extreme weather events.
Though adaptation options can reduce some of the detrimental effects,
In the long term, the combined stresses associated with climate change
Are expected to decrease agricultural productivity.