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https://theconversation.com/cop28-7-food-and-agriculture-innovations-needed-to-protect-the-climate-and-feed-a-rapidly-growing-world-218414>
"For the first time ever, food and agriculture took center stage at the annual
United Nations climate conference in 2023. More than 150 countries signed a
declaration, committing to make their food systems – everything from production
to consumption – a focal point in national strategies to address climate
change.
While the declaration is thin on concrete actions to adapt to climate change
and reduce emissions, it draws attention to a crucial issue.
The global food supply is increasingly facing disruptions from extreme heat and
storms. It is also a major contributor to climate change, responsible for
one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. This tension
is why agriculture innovation is increasingly being elevated in international
climate discussions.
At present, agriculture provides enough food for the world’s 8 billion people,
although many do not have adequate access. But to feed a global population of
10 billion in 2050, croplands would need to expand by 660,000 to 1.2 million
square miles (171 million to 301 million hectare) relative to 2010. That would
lead to more deforestation, which contributes to climate change. Further, some
practices widely relied on to produce sufficient food, such as using synthetic
fertilizers, also contribute to climate change.
Simply eliminating deforestation and these practices without alternative
solutions would decrease the world’s food supply and farmers’ incomes.
Fortunately, innovations are emerging that can help.
In a report released Dec. 2, the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food
Security and Agriculture, founded by Nobel-winning economist Michael Kremer,
identifies seven priority areas for innovation that can help ensure sufficient
food production, minimize greenhouse gas emissions and be scaled up to reach
hundreds of millions of people.
I’m an agriculture economist and executive director for the commission. Three
innovations in particular stand out for their ability to scale up quickly and
pay off economically."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
