‘Smart Agriculture for a Changing Climate’ course at Columbia University
Preparing students for roles in the $1+ trillion US agriculture sector or the global sustainable agriculture industry.”
By Chris Manning
Produce Grower
Jan 10, 2024
Excerpt:
Agriculture is at a pivotal point in addressing climate change, facing the dual challenge of being both a victim and a contributor to it. As other sectors reduce their carbon footprints, agriculture’s emissions could rise without intervention. This sector must now embrace transformative actions, including regenerative practices and smart technologies, to adapt and mitigate climate impacts. This urgency was highlighted in global discussions, like at the COP28 meetings in the UAE, focusing on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) – an approach integrating cropland, livestock, forests, and fisheries to tackle food security and climate change.
This course is tailored for future sustainability leaders, offering a deep dive into the intersection of climate change and agriculture. With climate change threatening to reduce global crop yields significantly, understanding and addressing these challenges is critical. The course explores CSA solutions, from AI and IOT to hydroponics and urban agriculture, emphasizing adaptive strategies for diverse environments. Students will analyze key agricultural regions and crops, assess real-world challenges, and discuss successful adaptation strategies.
