Climate Change and Food Security: setting the track for the ... - FAO

56. Patricia Tendi from FAO, Rome
I’m forwarding a url link to a BBC Science and Environment news article on an FAO initiative on
tree planting in arid zones, to complement the comments of a couple of earlier FSN contributors
on the trees/climate change/food security nexus. Comments on this issue have already been
made by: K.V. Peter India (12) Roy Stacy USA (13); Gladson Makowa, Malawi (37);
UN (FAO) Project shows how trees help desertification:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13767255
Some excerpts from the article are copied below:
Globally, an estimated two billion people depend on ecosystems in dry land areas, 90% of whom
live in developing countries....The UN says that about 30% of dry lands are degraded, with
particular susceptibility to desertification. In Africa alone, it is feared that two thirds of arable
land is expected to be lost by 2025.
• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon:
The management, conservation and sustainable development of dry forests are central to
combating desertification... the greening of the Sahel and other success stories around the world
show that degraded lands can be reclaimed by agro-forestry and other sustainable practices. We
need to scale up these interventions and disseminate their results widely.”
• FO ADG Forestry, Eduardo Rojas:
People do not often associate forests with arid areas, yet they are critical in terms of soil
protection, mitigating climate change, maintaining biodiversity. ...Forests and trees in arid zones
are central to understanding the process of desertification.- they provide local communities with
sustainable livelihoods and also fodder livestock, fuelwood, medicine, timber, resin and gums.
They are also invaluable for carbon storage and for the provision of clean water and for soil
protection.”
• UN Desertification Expert Luc Gnacadja is quoted as saying the inaugural Africa Drylands
Week had ended with a very simple, yet stark, message: it was essential to convince
international donors to ensure arid zones would “no longer be ‘deserts’ of investment”
Thank you and regards,
Patricia Tendi
FAO, Rome
57. Stephen Adejoro, Zartech ltd, Nigeria [2 nd contribution]
Dear Moderator,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the editing of the scope for this study
The study is very much of necessity in view of the escalating effect of climate change on food
security.
I think this scope is good but can we add the following?
- The vulnerability of livestock farmers to climate change;
-The effect of climate change on livestock farmers’ livelihood and the appropriate Technical
interventions to protect and rebuild their livestock assets;
- The degree of livestock vulnerability to climate change and recommended coping strategies.
Thanks
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Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition
http://km.fao.org/fsn
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