ClimateSmart Agriculture: Fundamentals

Greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), absorb radiation from the sun and trap heat in the atmosphere, effectively acting like a greenhouse or a layer of insulation for Earth. In Canada, 10% of GHG emissions are from crop and livestock production, excluding emissions from the use of fossil fuels or from fertilizer production. In Prince Edward Island, this number increases to 23% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Microcredentials in this series:

What will you learn?

By the end of the microcredential, learners will develop farm-specific strategies for their operation that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

The assessment for this microcredential will require learners to develop a plan for their operation that includes:

Examine current assets, challenges, and opportunities in their operation;
Create Climate Smart agricultural goals for their operation;
Justify choice of farm-specific strategies to reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration, using research and existing best practices;
Develop an implementation plan for chosen strategies.

To develop competency, learners will:

Observe best practices in action;
Examine the effect of farm-specific practices on GHG emissions and carbon sequestration:
- Learners will investigate and analyze evidence and best practices that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration, including the transition to cleaner fuel, precision agriculture, soil carbon enhancement, agroforestry, wetland restoration, precision irrigation, and rainwater harvesting.
Select strategies that align with an operation’s goals; anticipate the impact of implementing chosen strategies; measure success of strategies.

How does this prepare you for the low carbon economy?

This microcredential introduces the main sources of GHG emissions in agriculture and will assist learners in identifying farm management practices to reduce GHG emissions and sequester carbon through alternatives to fossil fuels, land management and water management. Based on current research and best practices, learners will develop farm-specific strategies for their farm operations that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration.