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PDF file (2.44 MB) - Asia Pacific Adaptation Network

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Parallel Sessions 1: Climage Change Impacts and Vulnerability7Parallel Sessions 1CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS andVULNERABILITYParallel Session 1AUnavoidable Global Warming Commitmentand Its Food Security, Impacts and Risks,Implications Focused on Southeast <strong>Asia</strong>Peter Carter, MDClimate Emergency Institute, CanadaTo frame his presentation, Dr. Carter provided a summary of most recent facts and figures on climatechange, with special emphasis on global warming – its causes/sources and associated effects. He citeddata from international research organizations and scientists who are actively engaged in the field,including the World Bank and <strong>Asia</strong>n Development Bank. Main points of his presentation include:• Extent of the effect of multiple impacts of climate disruption and global warming are notseriously acknowledged and therefore not properly addressed.• If emission pledges to the United Nations remain unmet, a 4 o C warming could occur by the2060s, with dire consequences. Moreover, there are agreements but there are no specificplans (policy recommendations).• Food production will be greatly affected/reduced by global climate change which isirreversible. According to models, we can expect yields of major cereals/staple crops to drop(wheat 32%-44%; rice 14%-20%; sorghum 9%-18%; maize 2%-5%), and their prices to riseaccordingly. This poses a grave threat to food security.• Planning for future food should consider the following:o Plan according to committed unavoidable warming.o Climate-crop model results are underestimates; not considered in the equation areresponses to insects and pathogens, soil salinization, floods.o Plan for adaptation.o Assume world food prices will keep on increasing due mainly to increasing trend ofnorthern hemisphere drought.o Assess first by extreme weather events such as more droughts and more floods.Dr. Carter asserted that we are being confronted by a food emergency that affects food producers andconsumers alike. In closing, he stated that the situation requires a united global emergency responsebecause we are all in this emergency together.International Conference on Climate Change Impactsand <strong>Adaptation</strong> for Food and Environmental SecurityConference Summary Report

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