Washington State University is Taking Steps to Provide Food Security in a Changing Environment

Pullman, WA, February 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Climate change. It is nearly impossible to live in America and to not hear the continuous chatter about alternative energies, melting ice caps, and greenhouse gases. The truth of the matter is that the climate is changing. Current atmospheric CO2 levels have increased approximately 65% since before the Industrial Revolution. In addition to climbing CO2 levels, satellite data since 1978 shows that the average annual Arctic sea ice extent has shrunk by 2.7% per decade, with larger decreases in the summer of 7.4% per decade. And while CO2 levels and shrinking sea ice may not mean much to many Americans, the reality is that by 2035 we could see enough of an increase in the average global temperature to begin experiencing lower crop yields, damage and failure of crops, increased livestock deaths, and water availability and quality problems.

Climate change is real and the nature of the political sphere does not allow for the magnitude of adjustments necessary to curb the inevitable effects. The best option to mitigate the impending consequences of climate change is through research universities, such as Washington State University (WSU). There is a need to develop new crop management systems that more efficiently utilize resources without sacrificing yield. There is a need to develop crops with superior genes, so that they can be deployed around the globe and can survive in the rapidly changing environment. Without this research, the entire globe will be feeling the effects of food and water shortages by the end of the century.

WSU is perfectly positioned to meet this challenge. As a land-grant university with a strong research base in agriculture, WSU is already taking steps towards mitigating future food security and water availability problems. Working to genetically engineer crops that will thrive even under conditions of reduced irrigation is only one example of research going on at our university. Researchers at WSU and other land-grant institutions have the ability to step in and respond to the challenges of climate change where our national leaders are falling short.

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