Although it is imperative that people in dire need of food get immediate relief and assistance, there needs to be long term solutions put in place to avert future crises.  One cannot predict a huge drought, but the rainfall in in East Africa has been low for the past two years, partially as a result of human induced climate change.  By the time five regions of Somalia were officially declared to be experiencing famines in July 2011, 3.7 million people were already in need of emergency aid and 10 million were affected.  Yet, in August 2010, USAID … [Read more...]

The current dominating agriculture system, which is often characterized by monocropping, is highly energy intensive and therefore responsible for high greenhouse gas emissions. Ironically, agriculture itself will be severely impacted by global warming to which it is largely contributing. However, biodiverse agricultural systems can help address climate change challenges. Agriculture and livestock rearing and fertilizer use are large contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the form of methane and nitrous oxide, which are more serious than carbon … [Read more...]

By Ilana Solomon. Every year, countries that have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gather to discuss next steps on fighting the climate crisis.  This year, 194 countries will gather in Durban, South Africa.  This conference has particular significance, as it is taking place on the continent of Africa—one of the continents most deeply impacted by climate change. It is projected that in some countries in Africa yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to half by 2020—less than ten years … [Read more...]