Farmers the missing link in climate change talks
source: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/602552/-/r32mdxz/-/
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- JanforGore
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US-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), a global farm policy think-tank, says that unless this thinking changes, the war against greenhouse gas emissions is unlikely to be won.
Currently, countries are preparing for the conference of parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Copenhagen, in December.
A policy brief issued by IFRI points out that with suitable technology and management, agriculture, which now contributes about 15 per cent to greenhouse gas emissions, can become an important sink for the carbon it produces and even that produced by other sectors.
Besides, agriculture will be adversely affected by climate change and millions of poor farmers will need help in adapting to the weather patterns.
IFRI therefore calls for the inclusion in the Copenhagen talks of mechanisms for funding research on climate adaptation and mitigation by the agricultural sector.
Apart from agriculture’s direct contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, land use -related changes such as forest loss account for an additional 19 per cent to harmful emissions.
“While reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation has been formally included in the current negotiations on climate change, agriculture has been left out. This should now be put on the agenda for the Copenhagen meet,” said IFPRI director general Joachim Braun.
The developing world accounts for 50 per cent of agricultural emissions and 80 per cent of land use change and forestry emissions.
“The ongoing negotiations to address climate change provide a unique opportunity to combine low-cost mitigation and essential adaptation outcomes with poverty reduction,” Mr Braun said.
Pointing to the dramatic consequences of climate change for agriculture, he noted that water sources will become more variable, droughts and floods will stress agricultural systems, some coastal food producing areas will be inundated by the seas and food production will fall in some places in the interior.
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JanforGore
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I have to post this again because Dr. Shiva's voice is one these climate talks cannot do without. Especially in regards to sustainable agriculture, water issues, and environmental democracy for ALL.
- 2 years ago
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JanforGore
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csmonut
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Farmers and farming are crucial to every nation, state, village and family. And in poor nations, and those that are just emerging, who will represent the many thousands?
Is it going to be large agri-businesses, Monsanto types, or will it be representatives from all nations/states?
I totally agree farming and farmers should be addressed. I fear that large agri-business and Monsanto types would be those chosen, though. - 2 years ago
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csmonut
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JanforGore
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Hmm, I wonder what is meant by 'agricultural technologies?' Is this meeting in Copenhagen going to be a true forum for farmers, indigenous peoples, and the poor to have a voice and a stake in the mitigation and adaptation to climate change by working to bring sustainable agricultural methods to those areas where such methods will be better than GMOS? I sure hope so, because the industrial agricultural methods that are currently employed are in part responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming through deforestation, and the increased pesticide use and patents of GM seeds have done nothing substantial. All they have done is toxify our planet with their poisons and transgenic contamination and brought farmers to debt and death. I would surely hope that these climate talks in Copenhagen will be more than just another G-8 meeting where the corporate world gets to divy up the spoils. But you can be sure companies like Monsanto will have their succubuses out prowling in full force there as well.
- 2 years ago
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JanforGore
