I want to share with everyone some insights with regards to the climate change and food production issues written by Dr. Hector Malleta. I do agree with him on the fact that a lot needs to be done today. However, we might have very different perspectives and data on the following points:
A. It is predicted that there will be a massive rise of the economic growth till the end of century. Moreover, according to the ICCG Webinar “Water Challenges in the Agricultural Sector”( http://www.iccgov.org/EventDetails.aspx?IDEvento=360&IDSM=59&IDM=75) last March 6, 2015,there has been a decline in global agricultural production of Maize, Wheat and Rice. Figures for Maize are from 1961-1990, there is a total growth rate of 2.33 and from 1991 -2010, the growth rate was 1.82. For wheat, from 1961-1990, the world growth rate was 2.73 and from 1991-2010, it was at 1.03. For Rice, from 1961-1990, the total global growth rate was at 2.14, while from 1991-2010, it was at 1.09. These data coincide with FAO’s Webinar last March 31, 2015 (http://www.fao.org/climatechange/micca/88950/en/),that there is a continuous decline in agricultural production if the problem of climate change continues.
B. If we are aiming for a world and sustainable future for all then I believe that we must look at the issues holistically- that is both at a micro and macro level of analysis. We have to take into the account the surrounding issues of the consequences of using lands especially those that are used for commercial purposes. we already have exceeded the planetary boundary for biodiversity loss (http://www.stockholmresilience.org/21/research/research-programmes/planetary-boundaries.html). Biodiversity loss is a result also of the fact that when lands are being converted into mono-cropping plantations or for commercial purposes, such as factories, etc. we basically cut down trees, alter soil composition, etc., which leads to the displacement of a lot of species in the forest. When they are displaced, when these species are deprived of their natural habitat, sooner or later, they die especially when they do not have food to eat. We do also have to take care of them because they also provide us a lot of ecosystem services. Added to this is the fact that the indigenous peoples are being displaced away from their lands. This is a major issue that still remains true especially for those large commercial mono cropping plantations and large commercial mining companies. Often times, politics play a role on this issue. If countries are to adopt the SDGs this year, then policy makers should also address this issue.
C. I really do not see why climate change has beneficial implications for agriculture when we have also exceeded this planetary boundary. Exceeding planetary boundaries have negative impact and that means an alteration on earth’s system processes that leads to a high possibility of loosing the earth’s resilience. It is sad to think but really true that scientists predict that the temperature of the planet is getting warmer that can reach 4 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the civilization before the last ice age, Humans could become 6th mass extinction of the species and it is predicted that we will be 10 billion by 2050. Moreover, the scientific data of the great acceleration (http://www.igbp.net/globalchange/greatacceleration.4.1b8ae20512db692f2a680001630.html ) shows that everything is rising today. There are no signs to show that there is a decoupling or a decrease among the data. Aside from that, basic science would tell us that in order for plants to survive, they do need a good amount of sunlight and water.
I want to share with everyone some insights with regards to the climate change and food production issues written by Dr. Hector Malleta. I do agree with him on the fact that a lot needs to be done today. However, we might have very different perspectives and data on the following points:
A. It is predicted that there will be a massive rise of the economic growth till the end of century. Moreover, according to the ICCG Webinar “Water Challenges in the Agricultural Sector”( http://www.iccgov.org/EventDetails.aspx?IDEvento=360&IDSM=59&IDM=75) last March 6, 2015,there has been a decline in global agricultural production of Maize, Wheat and Rice. Figures for Maize are from 1961-1990, there is a total growth rate of 2.33 and from 1991 -2010, the growth rate was 1.82. For wheat, from 1961-1990, the world growth rate was 2.73 and from 1991-2010, it was at 1.03. For Rice, from 1961-1990, the total global growth rate was at 2.14, while from 1991-2010, it was at 1.09. These data coincide with FAO’s Webinar last March 31, 2015 (http://www.fao.org/climatechange/micca/88950/en/),that there is a continuous decline in agricultural production if the problem of climate change continues.
B. If we are aiming for a world and sustainable future for all then I believe that we must look at the issues holistically- that is both at a micro and macro level of analysis. We have to take into the account the surrounding issues of the consequences of using lands especially those that are used for commercial purposes. we already have exceeded the planetary boundary for biodiversity loss (http://www.stockholmresilience.org/21/research/research-programmes/planetary-boundaries.html). Biodiversity loss is a result also of the fact that when lands are being converted into mono-cropping plantations or for commercial purposes, such as factories, etc. we basically cut down trees, alter soil composition, etc., which leads to the displacement of a lot of species in the forest. When they are displaced, when these species are deprived of their natural habitat, sooner or later, they die especially when they do not have food to eat. We do also have to take care of them because they also provide us a lot of ecosystem services. Added to this is the fact that the indigenous peoples are being displaced away from their lands. This is a major issue that still remains true especially for those large commercial mono cropping plantations and large commercial mining companies. Often times, politics play a role on this issue. If countries are to adopt the SDGs this year, then policy makers should also address this issue.
C. I really do not see why climate change has beneficial implications for agriculture when we have also exceeded this planetary boundary. Exceeding planetary boundaries have negative impact and that means an alteration on earth’s system processes that leads to a high possibility of loosing the earth’s resilience. It is sad to think but really true that scientists predict that the temperature of the planet is getting warmer that can reach 4 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the civilization before the last ice age, Humans could become 6th mass extinction of the species and it is predicted that we will be 10 billion by 2050. Moreover, the scientific data of the great acceleration (http://www.igbp.net/globalchange/greatacceleration.4.1b8ae20512db692f2a680001630.html ) shows that everything is rising today. There are no signs to show that there is a decoupling or a decrease among the data. Aside from that, basic science would tell us that in order for plants to survive, they do need a good amount of sunlight and water.
I hope this helps: -)