BC Faces a Climate Emergency

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BC is in a climate emergency. We now have three emergencies in BC: COVID-19, the Opioid Overdose Emergency and climate. From June 28 to July 1, 2021, BC set all-time Canadian records for high temperature. Here in the Okanagan, orchardists do not need to be told of the impact.

As apple and pear growers struggle with the harvest, it may seem early to consider what to do for the future. However, when 86.1 percent of growers in a July 27, 2021 survey “expect a repeat of the extreme heat of this year” it is past time to talk and move to action.

The province of BC is currently developing a Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. Some facts that should be taken into account in developing the strategy are:

Extremes are more common and occur in unexpected ways. 

  • In 2018, the Okanagan experienced spring flooding followed by a season-long drought. A March 15, 2021 article in InfoNews reported “Essentially, those in the north [of the Okanagan Valley] wanted the lake level to be lower to avoid flooding but those downstream from Penticton wanted it higher to ensure they had enough irrigation and drinking water later in the summers.”
  • In 2021, heat records were set in the Southern Interior, and record rainfall and flooding occurred in the North.

For horticultural crops, drought is compounded by extreme heat.

  • Water demand goes up, but water reservoirs are not expanding at the urgent pace needed. There is enough water, but it flows away in Spring before it is needed. We used to capture and store enough water, but the consequences of multi year droughts in the Southern US are a devastation that is avoidable in BC, with adequate water storage.

There are ways to mitigate the extremes and action is needed now

  • Irrigation systems were not designed for 45 Celsius weather. In our survey, 22 percent said their irrigation systems were inadequate during the June 28 heat wave, and another 18 percent did not know. Growers need to get an assessment of their irrigation systems. The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program provides 100% funding (up to $1,500) for “Irrigation design and management plans”.  The BCFGA just announced a program for its members to provide a $250 incentive to complete an EFP.  
  • Protecting crops from extreme heat is on growers' minds. Growers indicated that shade cloth is a possible solution, and for apples overhead irrigation. Growers will also be thinking about pruning for shade and other innovative practices to protect from intense heat and sun in the future. Our government agriculture programs need to adapt to the needs rapidly . A new and urgent imperative in agriculture is needed to rapidly adapt.
  • “Agricultural water supply should be viewed as contributing to food security and not just as an economic driver on par with water supply to mining and energy projects” according to Anna Warwick Sears, Executive Director of the Okanagan Water Basin Board. Further, “A secure food supply for BC requires support for agriculture, including secure land and water for crop production.”

Growers, their associations, and government need to galvanize in recognizing the climate emergency and taking all possible measures, with haste, to mitigate and adapt. But it is not all negative. There will be opportunities, such as the new Northern and higher elevation cherry plantings, and in knowing that other agriculture areas do not have the water resources to adapt, but BC does. Working together with government, agriculture can ‘weather the storm’. 

Glen Lucas, General Manager, BC Fruit Growers’ Association

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