In the heart of North America, where vast expanses of farmland stretch towards the horizon, a silent battle is unfolding. This battle isn’t fought with tractors or combines, but with the forces of nature and the changing climate. Sophia Weiss, a researcher at the Agriculture, Food, and Environment program at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, has been studying these forces and their impact on pulse crops, a critical source of plant-based protein.
Pulse crops, such as lentils, chickpeas, and peas, are increasingly important in the global food system. As the demand for plant-based proteins surges, driven by both health trends and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, the production of pulses is becoming more critical. However, the future of these crops is under threat from extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall patterns, according to Weiss’s research.
Weiss and her team analyzed climate trends in four major pulse-producing regions: Montana, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and the Northeastern United States. Their findings, published in Environmental Research: Food Systems, reveal a stark reality. “Temperature extremes have increased in all regions, with extreme events 3–4 times more likely today than in 1981,” Weiss explains. This increase in extreme heat events poses a significant risk to crop loss, as pulses require specific conditions to thrive.
The study also delves into the impact of rainfall during the critical harvest months of August and September. The researchers found that rainfall has been decreasing in the Midwestern regions and is projected to continue to decrease. However, in the Northeast, the likelihood of a wet August has nearly doubled. This unpredictability in rainfall patterns complicates harvest times, as pulses must be dried on the plant before harvest, requiring a 7-day dry spell or the use of synthetic drying agents like glyphosate.
The implications for the energy sector are multifaceted. As the demand for plant-based proteins grows, so too does the demand for the energy required to produce these crops. Extreme weather conditions can disrupt harvests, leading to crop losses and increased reliance on energy-intensive drying methods. Additionally, the need for adaptation measures to manage extreme heat and rain events during harvest will require investment in climate-smart agriculture technologies, further driving energy demand.
Weiss emphasizes the need for adaptation measures to manage these challenges. “Future expansion of pulse production should incorporate adaptation measures to manage extreme heat and the potential for rain events during harvest,” she says. This could mean investing in more resilient crop varieties, improving irrigation systems, and adopting precision agriculture technologies that can better predict and respond to weather patterns.
The findings of this research are a call to action for farmers, policymakers, and the energy sector. As the world shifts towards more sustainable diets, the need for climate-resilient pulse crops becomes ever more pressing. The future of food security and climate mitigation hinges on our ability to adapt to these changing conditions. As Weiss’s research shows, the battle for sustainable agriculture is far from over, but with the right tools and strategies, we can ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for pulse production.