 Climate change is acknowledged by most scientists as bringing negative consequences to agriculture as weather and rain patterns are altered. The impact on food production is particularly being borne by persons living in poverty. The Daughters of Charity, at the recent Commission on Social Development, with its focus on Poverty Eradication, joined with eleven other NGOs in urging Member States to bring swift and effective attention and action, specific to their countries, to adapt to the changes in agricultural production of lessened crop yield which leads to higher prices and an increase in food insecurity. Other intersecting issues resuling from climate change such as migration, gender and industrial agriculture's impacts are also addressed as exacerbating poverty. The written intervention, “Climate change, agriculture and poverty eradication” can be read in full in French, Spanish and English. Click on "NGO Statements" http://social.un.org/index/CommissionforSocialDevelopment/Sessions/2012.aspx Agriculture focus in French, Spanish, English and Portugese http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/ Add Comment  By Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, DC The Cook Islands are diligently planning to protect their “enua” (lands) and “moana” (ocean) from effects of global warming and climate change, even though they bear minimal responsibility for causing them. “Big countries are into mitigation, but adaptation is our only choice,” said Deyna Marsh, Education and Awareness Coordinator for the Cook Islands National Environment Services. “Changes are already happening. Sea levels are rising all around the Pacific. If nothing is done now, we will lose our Islands, our traditions, our culture. Buildings and infrastructure on the foreshore will be lost or damaged, and both food security and the health of the people will be affected.” A workshop held in Rarotonga, February 28 to March 4, produced a Cook Islands Climate Change Adaptation Plan. When the Plan is approved by managers of the Kyoto Protocol Climate Change Adaptation Fund, the Cook Islands could receive $5million in support. Read More |
