Three University of Guelph professors have been invited to share their expertise with the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry this week.
Profs. Claudia Wagner-Riddle, School of Environmental Sciences; Alfons Weersink, Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE); and Barry Smit, emeritus professor in the Department of Geography, will address the committee Oct. 19 at 8 a.m.
They will talk about the effects of climate change on the agriculture, agri-food and forestry sectors, and discuss adaptation and emissions reduction strategies.
Wagner-Riddle studies cropping practices that mimic natural ecosystems and improve resiliency to climate change. She received a prestigious Strategic Partnership Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council this year to head a national project on “soil-friendly” production practices.
Weersink researches the effects of technology and government policy in the agri-food sector. His appearance marks the fifth time a FARE faculty member has provided testimony to the federal and provincial governments in 2017.
Smit is recognized internationally for his research on vulnerability of communities and socio-economic systems to climate change. He has served on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since its inception and was lead author of the panel’s fourth assessment report in 2007; the IPCC team shared that year’s Nobel Peace Prize with American vice-president Al Gore.