Can global climate change research boost agricultural productivity?

Question

For instance, according to projections made by the IPCC, anticipated changes in the medium-term future will adversely affect the farmers of the developing countries. Toward this end, scientists have initiated research that they hope will breed varieties and hybrids that will overcome the adverse impacts.

Will this proactive approach stave off projected impacts, or even possibly lead to breakthroughs that help boost production throughout the world?

Could a lack of research have a chilling effect on future agricultural production in the next few decades?

Answer 1

Hopefully.  That's why scientists are researching the effects of climate change and possible ways of mitigating these effects.  It's also why the argument 'if we know what's causing global warming, why don't we stop funding climate science?' doesn't make any sense.  There's still a lot of research that needs to be done.

Answer 2

Without question, research pays for itself many times over.

Pure unfettered research has produced amazing breakthroughs - Bell Labs in the 1950's for example.

Any time research is restricted by making sure it can be "applied" or must conform to a particular political view, it is diminished.  Fine and good for a commercial enterprise or political entitity, but wrong for governments.  

We are being short changed by those who think research can be "directed".

edit:

Gee, look what turned up in the news today.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/opinio...

Answer 3

As the climate changes so do the agricultural areas. If a frozen part of this planet has no more ice or snow during a part of the year, then maybe we grow crops there. If a place further south can no longer grow certain crops then maybe we move that crop to a cooler area.

Answer 4

clearly there will be changes.

Canada will have a longer growing season.

but some parts will be drier.

Parts of Siberia will be warmer, but not necessarily enough warmer to be of much help.

research is rarely a bad thing.

however, one would expect that most combinations of precipitation and temperature are already found in parts of the world, and there probably are not easy, or inexpensive modifications coming soon.

additionally, many of these may not be profitable, since they are targeted to poorer areas of the world, so the research will need to  be government funded.  and you're not going to get a lot of funding from a government that denies global warming.

one would hope that by the end of January next year, there will be a change in the focus of our government.