scholarly journals Agroecology: challenges and opportunities for farming in the Anthropocene

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-215
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Altieri ◽  
Clara I. Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Main Strategy

The multiple crises facing humanity at the onset of the Anthropocene are creating a moment in which agroecology acquires greater relevance as an alternative approach for meeting sustainable development goals and providing guidelines for the reconstruction of a post-COVID-19 agricultural system that is capable of minimizing future widespread disruptions of food supplies by pandemics and climate change by enhancing linkages between small-scale food production and local consumption. There are three main areas in which agroecology can be used in the development of a new post-COVID-19 agricultural system: revitalizing small farms, creating alternative animal production systems and enhancing urban agriculture. Focusing food and agricultural policies on agroecology as a main strategy for achieving autonomy and resilience can rapidly transform the ways in which we produce and consume food while addressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, poverty, and deteriorating health.

scholarly journals "We feed the world": the political ecology of the Corn Belt's driving narrative

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Lukacs Rissing
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Political Ecology ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
World War ◽  
Rhetorical Strategy ◽  
Moral Framework ◽  
The World ◽  
Agricultural Production Systems

Industrial grain production occupies most of Iowa's farmland. Around the edges of corn and soybean monocultures, however, small-scale, diversified farmers establish alternative agricultural operations and sell to local markets. One narrative, "we feed the world", stretches across these two spheres; its roots lie in post-World War II geopolitics, and its contemporary iterations reflect the actions of private agricultural interest groups. As a rhetorical strategy, asserting "we feed the world" invokes neo-Malthusian fears to reposition differences in agricultural production systems within a moral framework where yield primarily determines agricultural legitimacy. This article ethnographically analyzes how this narrative intersects the lives and livelihoods of conventional and alternative farmers alike. Today, the narrative serves three functions: defending industrial agricultural systems against criticisms,justifying the pursuit of ever-higher yields on moral grounds, and gatekeeping agricultural legitimacy. Examining this discursive mechanism yields insight into the diversity of strategies through which actors within the industrial agricultural system reproduce particular land use practices in service of their own interests.

scholarly journals Global Challenges and New Approaches in the Common Agricultural Policy 2014 - 2020

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
Gabriella Bánhegyi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Common Agricultural Policy ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
General Strategy ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
The Common

Abstract Unfavorable environmental issues raise attention globally toward the concept of sustainability. Agriculture is not only a sector influenced greatly by environmental conditions, but at the same time, as the most important utilizer of land, a major shaper of the environmental conditions. When forming agricultural policies special attention should be paid to issues such as climate change, scarcity of fresh water, food shortage and biodiversity loss — just to name some of them. The new European general strategy for the upcoming 7 years period has brought new measures for the agricultural policy as well, environment and sustainability being among the top issues.

scholarly journals A photovoice assessment for illuminating the role of inland fisheries to livelihoods and the local challenges experienced through the lens of fishers in a climate-driven lake of Malawi

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Armstrong Simmance ◽  
Alison Budden Simmance ◽  
Jeppe Kolding ◽  
Kate Schreckenberg ◽  
Emma Tompkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Inland Fisheries ◽  
Rural Environments ◽  
Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽  
Development Goals

AbstractSmall-scale inland capture fisheries provide an important source of nutritious food, employment and income to millions of people in developing countries, particularly in rural environments where limited alternatives exist. However, the sector is one of most under-valued fisheries sectors and is increasingly experiencing environmental change. This study adopts a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and investigates how important a fluctuating inland fishery is to livelihoods, and how local perceptions on challenges corresponds to global evidence. Through an innovative participatory method; photovoice, the lived experiences and perceptions of fishers are depicted. The findings illuminate the valuable role of the sector to food and nutrition security and the complex nexus with vulnerability to climate change. The study responds to the call for more local level assessments of the impacts of climate change on inland fisheries in data-limited environments, and the value of the sector in underpinning the Sustainable Development Goals.

scholarly journals Edible Insects and Sustainable Development Goals

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Roberta Moruzzo ◽  
Simone Mancini ◽  
Alessandra Guidi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Direct And Indirect Effects ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Development Goals

The insect sector can become an important component of sustainable circular agriculture by closing nutrient and energy cycles, fostering food security, and minimising climate change and biodiversity loss, thereby contributing to SDGs. The high levels of the interaction of the insect sector with the SDGs is clearly illustrated inside the review, analysing all of the SDGs that can have direct and indirect effects on insects. Mapping the interactions between the SDGs goals and insect sector offers a starting point, from which it could be possible to define practical next steps for better insect policy.

scholarly journals The contribution of small-scale food production in urban areas to the sustainable development goals: a review and case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1585-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Nicholls ◽  
Adrian Ely ◽  
Linda Birkin ◽  
Parthiba Basu ◽  
Dave Goulson
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
United Nations General ◽  
Development Goals

Abstract Food production depends upon the adequate provision of underpinning ecosystem services, such as pollination. Paradoxically, conventional farming practices are undermining these services and resulting in degraded soils, polluted waters, greenhouse gas emissions and massive loss of biodiversity including declines in pollinators. In essence, farming is undermining the ecosystem services it relies upon. Finding alternative more sustainable ways to meet growing food demands which simultaneously support biodiversity is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity. Here, we review the potential of urban and peri-urban agriculture to contribute to sustainable food production, using the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations General Assembly as a framework. We present new data from a case study of urban gardens and allotments in the city of Brighton and Hove, UK. Such urban and peri-urban landholdings tend to be small and labour-intensive, characterised by a high diversity of crops including perennials and annuals. Our data demonstrate that this type of agricultural system can be highly productive and that it has environmental and social advantages over industrial agriculture in that crops are usually produced using few synthetic inputs and are destined for local consumption. Overall, we conclude that food grown on small-scale areas in and near cities is making a significant contribution to feeding the world and that this type of agriculture is likely to be relatively favourable for some ecosystem services, such as supporting healthy soils. However, major knowledge gaps remain, for example with regard to productivity, economic and employment impacts, pesticide use and the implications for biodiversity.

scholarly journals Biodiversity and climate change perceptions in arid lands-implications for sustainable development in Botswana

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Atlhopheng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Development ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Change Perceptions ◽  
Action Programme ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives

The paper considers the biodiversity and climate change perceptions in the semi-arid landscape of Botswana. Ecosystem services are essential to the planet’s equilibrium/wellbeing. However, anthropogenic influences, including climate change remain a stressor to the biodiversity resources. For Botswana, the land degradation and droughts, climate change and livelihoods are intertwined to divulge distinctive vulnerabilities and impacts. The existing action plans such as National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), the Botswana National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (BNAP-CCD) and climate change’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) point to the need for synergies. Research projects highlight increased vulnerabilities for various sectors, which challenge the country’s sustainability initiatives to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Development Plan 11 (NDP11) and the Vision 2036 imperatives. The perception study reveals the general public’s interpretations of what is good and what are challenges, at district levels. These reveal that biodiversity or climate change are not perceived to contribute much to the ‘good’ of the country, except for 2 district groups in northern Botswana. The national challenges hinge much on biodiversity loss and climate change – hence restricting attainment of the national development priorities.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Climate Change Education (CCE) in East Africa: A Critical Review

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Abigael Apollo ◽  
Marcellus Forh Mbah
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
East Africa ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
East African ◽  
Climate Change Education ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

It is undoubtedly clear that climate change is happening, and its adverse impacts could reverse the progress made toward meeting sustainable development goals. The global crisis poses one of the most severe challenges to reducing poverty and existing inequalities, especially in developing countries that are projected to be highly vulnerable to climate variability. However, the education sector provides an untapped opportunity for successful climate change adaptation and mitigation through knowledge and skill acquisitions, and consequently, positive behavioral change. Specifically, education can capacitate individuals and communities to make informed decisions and take practical actions for climate-resilient sustainable development. This study is focused on East Africa, a region whose economy heavily relies on climate-dependent activities. At present, East African governments are already embedding climate change in their school curriculum. However, they lack coherent approaches to leverage climate change education as a tool in their adaptation and mitigation strategies. Therefore, this review explores some of the critical barriers to climate change education and possible opportunities for leveraging learning to promote sustainable development in East Africa.

scholarly journals Livestock production in a changing climate: adaptation and mitigation research in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverley Henry ◽  
Ed Charmley ◽  
Richard Eckard ◽  
John B. Gaughan ◽  
Roger Hegarty
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Animal Agriculture ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Climate change presents a range of challenges for animal agriculture in Australia. Livestock production will be affected by changes in temperature and water availability through impacts on pasture and forage crop quantity and quality, feed-grain production and price, and disease and pest distributions. This paper provides an overview of these impacts and the broader effects on landscape functionality, with a focus on recent research on effects of increasing temperature, changing rainfall patterns, and increased climate variability on animal health, growth, and reproduction, including through heat stress, and potential adaptation strategies. The rate of adoption of adaptation strategies by livestock producers will depend on perceptions of the uncertainty in projected climate and regional-scale impacts and associated risk. However, management changes adopted by farmers in parts of Australia during recent extended drought and associated heatwaves, trends consistent with long-term predicted climate patterns, provide some insights into the capacity for practical adaptation strategies. Animal production systems will also be significantly affected by climate change policy and national targets to address greenhouse gas emissions, since livestock are estimated to contribute ~10% of Australia’s total emissions and 8–11% of global emissions, with additional farm emissions associated with activities such as feed production. More than two-thirds of emissions are attributed to ruminant animals. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities facing livestock industries in Australia in adapting to and mitigating climate change. It examines the research needed to better define practical options to reduce the emissions intensity of livestock products, enhance adaptation opportunities, and support the continued contribution of animal agriculture to Australia’s economy, environment, and regional communities.

Conservation of Biodiversity in the Pacific Islands of Oceania: Challenges and Opportunities

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy Jupiter ◽  
Sangeeta Mangubhai ◽  
Richard T Kingsford
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Pacific Island biodiversity has a notorious record of decline and extinction which continues due to habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution, disease and human-forced climate change. In terrestrial systems, these global and local pressures are more acute because of relatively small land to sea area, high endemism and poor adaptations to resist predation. Regional policy and learning frameworks exist to combat biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, but implementation remains patchy across the 22 Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) within Oceania. PICTs are challenged by small, under-resourced government departments, limited data, and strong political will for rapid economic development at the cost of ecological sustainability. In this synthesis of the special issue, we identify the challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation on Pacific islands. We identified bright spots of implementation occurring through regional initiatives, knowledge-sharing networks, and community-based management. The challenge looms large, given the relatively small-scale efforts compared to the core drive for development of natural resources which continues to pervade island communities. Five key initiatives promise improved conservation effectiveness: 1) alignment of national biodiversity strategies to the Aichi Targets, under the Convention on Biological Diversity; 2) increased engagement with local communities to promote wise stewardship and local environmental monitoring; 3) dissemination of best practice guidelines for management through learning networks; 4) cost-benefit analyses that drive investment in biosecurity and invasive control; and 5) implementation of integrated island management that accounts for the multiple synergistic benefits of ecosystem management (e.g., climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, improved health).

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