Climate Change and Sustainable Food Security

in India

Dr. Gopi Ghosh (UC Davis 1986-87)Director & Chief of Policy, Asian Institute of Poverty Alleviation

International Consultant - Price Waterhouse Cooper

Presentation on the National Conference on Emerging India: Climate Change Governance

Organized by Association of Indian Humphrey Fellows

India International Center, New Delhi, February 21 2015

Natural process of change in earth’s climate - astronomical, geographical and decadal scales- caused by both natural and human activities

Fossil fuel burning 28.5% Deforestation 18% transport 14% industry 14% agriculture 14%

A series of physical, biological, ecological and economic changes

Climate change Impact on Food Security

• Agri, forestry, fisheries - sensitive to climate

• Extreme weather variability & uncertainity

• Collapse of ecosystems / livelihoods

• Degradation of natural resources (L W F Bio)

• Increased human health risks

• Developing countries ( S&MF, W&C) worst hit

Reduced agricultural productivity and food insecurity

• Heightened water insecurity

• Change in food system assets & activities

• Changes in component of food security

• Increased vulnerability of the vulnerable

• Emerging pests and diseases

• Increased costs to farmers & consumers

Combating climate change risk

• Adaptation – response to actual or expected effects, that reduces risk to life and livelihood/lessen impact

alter & diversify farming practices (crop Ls Aqua), adapt/ integrat NRM, enhance efficiency, conserve resources, maintain bio-diversity, shift consumption, improve farmer resilience, better NR governance • Mitigation – reducing emissions of GHGs and

sequestering carbon- reduce deforestation, control forest fire, use bio-mass, reduce emissions from farming, industry, transport, expand and enhance C sink, CDM

Flag 1Climate Change – an uncomfortable truth????

feeding /clothing 1.2+ billion- > ¼ food insecure and poor

Feed 16% global animals

Huge unemployment

target growth rate of 9%

rising energy demand

Uprising consumer- improved lifestyles

need for industry, infrastructure, transport

remove rich-poor divide, rural-urban inequality, regional disparity, migration

Climate Change-priority for Development?

To what extent will it alter the path and rate of national economic growth?

How far can we adopt mitigation practices in industry and energy?

What are our risk assessment instruments & risk reduction strategies?

Energy security policy, renewable and non-renewable- and technology options

Comprehensive action plan for a climate resilient / Green governance?

Flag 2

Agriculture- both a source and sink of GHGs

How far can Agri balance btw sink/ source of C?

Enhance NRM efficiency?

Adoption of low GHG emissions in “agriculture+” practicable?

Adaptation policies & practices – immdt MT & LT

How to frame a Sust. CC Governance model with

opportunities & innovation?

Flag 3Issues around national food security

Increasing population – growing food insecurity

Rising pressure on land Competing land use Shrinking natural resources Low productivity (low level of

energy /input) huge farm biomass wastages Diminishing livelihood options Increased rural/ agrarian

distress - migration

What role technology institution infrastructure play in SFS

What about Livelihood diversification for the poor?

Sustainable Crop Production Agro-ecology- way forward?

What are the possible EWS, Vulnerability mapping etc to counter CC risks/impact

How to put ecosystem mgmt in all areas of CC governance

Farming must change to feed the world

"

Planting through organic soil cover

Effects of CC in specific agro-eco-systems on crop, livestock, forestry, fisheries etc

Pragmatic policy facilitating / promoting adaptation to the changing uncertainties

R&D system devoted to CC situations & opportunities in addressing challenges

Blend traditional knowledge & cutting edge practices to adaptation efforts

Policy support to farmers for production system diversification, adaptation efforts

Some Possible CC Action Science based info thru nat/reg/ global

data, using proper analytical tools, forecasting & impact monitoring,

Mainstream CC response/adaption Integrated Risk Assessment /Planning Agri central to CC governance of NAP

Awareness at farmers, policy planners and Consumers

Adaptive capacity of farmers Improve resilience of all prod systems

Financing agri adaptation & CC risks Comprehensive Land water forest and

biodiversity action plan

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight.

We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy

security, health, food security and women's empowerment.

Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.

Ban Ki-moon