Accelerated global warming in the cold-climate boreal and Arctic regions facilitates intensification and expansion of agriculture. However, current boreal and Arctic governmental policies targeting agricultural development differ among regions creating the risk for serious consequences for provision of goods and ecosystem services. On June 29th, 2021 we organized a United Nations Summit dialogue on “Local and global food security shaped by northern agriculture” to complement a 2019 survey of the scientific community on boreal and Arctic agriculture. The 33 attendees concluded that while climate change might offer significant agricultural opportunities in boreal and Arctic communities such as increased food security, sovereignty, and economic development, this should not be considered lightly and without strong support for environmental sustainability as carbon and biodiversity losses are main risks. Attendees expressed that using existing agricultural lands more efficiently is likely a better option than converting forest to new agricultural lands. It was also confirmed by the attendees that consistent policies are needed across northern jurisdictions that, above all else, consider environmental consequences followed by local food needs and interests. We and the attendees propose that this can only be ensured through further research and effective dialogues which reflect the needs and concerns of all members of the northern communities, including farmers.

寒冷气候的北方和北极地区全球变暖加速促进了农业的集约化和扩张。然而，当前针对农业发展的北方和北极政府政策在不同地区之间存在差异，这给提供商品和生态系统服务带来了严重后果的风险。2021 年 6 月 29 日，我们组织了一场关于“北方农业塑造的地方和全球粮食安全”的联合国峰会对话，以补充 2019 年科学界关于北方和北极农业的调查。33 位与会者得出的结论是，虽然气候变化可能会为北方和北极社区提供重要的农业机会，例如提高粮食安全、主权和经济发展，由于碳和生物多样性的损失是主要风险，因此不应轻率地考虑这一点，也不要对环境可持续性提供强有力的支持。与会者表示，更有效地利用现有农业用地可能比将森林转变为新的农业用地更好。与会者还确认，北部辖区需要一致的政策，首先要考虑环境后果，其次是当地的食品需求和利益。我们和与会者建议，这只能通过进一步研究和有效对话来确保，这些对话反映了包括农民在内的北方社区所有成员的需求和关切。与会者表示，更有效地利用现有农业用地可能比将森林转变为新的农业用地更好。与会者还确认，北部辖区需要一致的政策，首先要考虑环境后果，其次是当地的食品需求和利益。我们和与会者建议，这只能通过进一步研究和有效对话来确保，这些对话反映了包括农民在内的北方社区所有成员的需求和关切。与会者表示，更有效地利用现有农业用地可能比将森林转变为新的农业用地更好。与会者还确认，北部辖区需要一致的政策，首先要考虑环境后果，其次是当地的食品需求和利益。我们和与会者建议，这只能通过进一步研究和有效对话来确保，这些对话反映了包括农民在内的北方社区所有成员的需求和关切。