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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Increase In Rainfall Variability Related To Global Climate Change

Without carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere the planet temperature would be an average -18 degree C. For many centuries prior to the 1700's the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere had been reducing and in the 1700's we were entering a new ice age. The Gulf Stream had stopped and the Thames froze in London.

This ice age did not happen because of Farming. Major slash and burn took place in new lands and in addition industry began to use coal instead of wood charcoal both together increasing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

In the next 2-3 centuries the carbon dioxide increased in the Earth's atmosphere trapping more and more solar energy; with the increased use of fossil fuels, oil and gas being substituted for coal. This has given rise to a steady increase in the average planet temperatures.

Here in Thailand in SE Asia in the 1990's the climatic cycle of 7 years was governed by the "El Nino condition" in the Pacific Ocean. This produced some dry years and some very wet years. However in the 2000's the slash and burn methods were re-introduced to produce palm oil and sugar cane for use in the transport industry as a substitute for fossil fuels.
Land which had previously been used for food production was turned over to fuel production with major burning of plant residues. 

Normally in this location 12 degree N. and 100 degree E. there is an annual rainfall of almost 1 meters some 40 inches, punctuated by two dry periods one of 4.5 months and one of about 2 months.


The 2011 and 2012 dry period however lasted for about 9 months with the result that many trees died through lack of moisture and starvation. 
In our land the coconuts palms were the worst effected with many deaths and even the survivors have not recovered after 2 years. There was substantial rainfall {ie. 2012 1.5 metres (60 inches)} after the drought period. In 2013 there has been little / no production of coconuts. Other trees affected are limes, dragon fruits and ornament palm trees around the house. 

Thomas Hall

Monday, June 3, 2013

Greening the Economy: Where has the social dimension gone?

On the occasion of the launch of Development 55.1 'Greening the economy',  Sarah Cook, Director of UNRISD, talks about the problems and limitations of the green economy, its lack of a social dimension, and her expectations for Rio +20.

Q.: What is the main message of this issue of Development, ‘Greening the economy’ produced in partnership with UNRISD? 
A.:  This issue addresses possibilities and contestations around 'greening the economy' as an approach to sustainable development. The concept of ‘green economy’ has emerged in recent years as a potential solution to the interrelated social, economic and ecological crises – for some it appears as the 'magic bullet' that will drive a new phase of green growth.  For many authors in this volume, however, current green economy policies are built on the same mechanisms that created crises, and risk reinforcing or exacerbating serious social inequalities and exclusions. 
The papers highlight in particular the neglect of the conventional 'third pillar' of sustainable development – the social dimensions. Through this ‘social’ lens, they challenge key elements of current approaches to green economy – the valuation and commoditization of nature and its management through market-based trading mechanisms; the capacity of the current economic system to generate necessary incentives for sustainable consumption and production patterns; as well as the assumption that poverty eradication and more equitable development will follow from low-carbon growth provided compensatory or protective mechanisms are in place to address any negative social consequences. 
Instead, these papers offer critical assessments of the opportunities, costs and benefits of such policies for different populations and social groups. They convey a range of voices and perspectives (from local perceptions to global debates) around justice, equity and fairness, and point to the importance of social policies and governance processes for ensuring an inclusive and just green economy. Empirical studies show how certain groups are impacted both by environmental change and by policy responses, but more importantly reveal the practices and agendas being pursued among diverse groups - women, small farmers, local communities, indigenous groups, southern NGOs, at times in conjunction with governments or corporate actors – which create alternative possible visions, approaches and pathways to sustainability.
 
Q.: In October 2011 UNRISD held the conference on 'Green Economy: Bringing back the social dimension'. How can a Green Economy that takes into account social and cultural aspects be achieved?
A.: Any single answer or 'green print' would risk falling into the conventional development trap: one approach or solution is not feasible for such complex challenges. What the conference offered was a refocusing of attention towards key but neglected areas of enquiry, pointing to the limits of dominant frameworks and providing insights gained from often marginalised forms of knowledge. 
The conference brought together a body of empirical analysis – from post-industrial to low income countries across all regions of the world – showing how market mechanisms have contradictory consequences (sometimes unforeseen but often predictable) for the livelihoods and well-being of affected populations. Through these analyses, the possibilities of alternative approaches to a 'greener' economy were articulated – pathways not reliant solely on market-based solutions, but rooted in local livelihood, knowledge and value systems, and implying different roles and consequences for states, markets, corporations, civil society and communities.
Collectively the conference participants raised fundamental questions: whose values, priorities and interests are shaping the concept and policies of green economy, whose knowledge counts, and how can diverse forms of livelihood and production systems be incorporated into our search for global policy solutions. Papers offered new thinking on issues such as the role of social policy, regulation, participation and collective action in promoting a ‘green and fair’ economy in different contexts. In terms of framing global discussions, a strong case was made for legitimising a broader range of social science knowledge within science and economics-dominated policy debates on sustainable development. At the local and national policy level, more inclusive and participatory processes of knowledge generation and decision-making are needed to ensure policies reflect local livelihood and value systems, and do not undermine existing sustainable approaches to environmental stewardship.
 
Q.: What might be achieved at Rio+20? 
A.: Rio+20 (together with the People’s Summit) provides the opportunity to refocus world attention on the triple dimensions of sustainable development - the challenges posed by economic and climate crises, as well by increasingly unsustainable levels of inequality and rising demands for a system that delivers social justice.  
Rio+20 has strong prior statements and principles about sustainable development, (notably Agenda 21) on which to build. It may be unrealistic to expect a major breakthrough in terms of consensus or commitments to implementation; but a constructive and inclusive dialogue (including between governments and civil society) can build the much needed political momentum - for more participatory and consensus building processes, for the mobilisation of resources needed for a sustainable future, and for the framing of new sustainable development goals which reconnect issues of climate change and green economy to rights, equity and the broader vision of sustainability. 
Rio also presents an opportunity to move beyond north-south or developed-developing dichotomies, to start the reframing of a global agenda around shared challenges and common goals while respecting varied needs and responsibilities of different countries and communities, and to strengthen the global institutional architecture. Any collective process clearly needs to grapple centrally with diverse social, gendered and ecological contexts, and thus the inevitably unequal consequences of any market-based approaches.
Broader civil society engagement provides an opportunity for mobilisation to raise awareness about the alternatives for action and policy not only at the level of states and policy makers, but also in addressing the expectations of all of us as individual consumers. 
Interview by Laura Fano Morrissey
 
 Sarah Cook took up the position of Director of UNRISD in November 2009. She moved to UNRISD from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, UK, where she had been a Research Fellow since 1996. She also worked for the Ford Foundation as Programme Officer for Governance and Public Policy from 2000-2005. (Source UNRISD)
 
 SOURCE-http://www.sidint.net/node/9930

Friday, March 29, 2013

BIOGAS PRODUCTION: A COOL WAY TO GO GREEN


Biogas are produces in digesters and made from organic sources such as poultry dropping, pig and cattle droppings, water hyacinths and a host of others. Biogas plays an important role in farming  and our environment as a whole as it reduces health risks, control of pollution and at the same time adds value to the livestock excreta through it use in production of biogas and improved nutrient status of the effluent as fertilizer for fish ponds and crop land.




BIODIGESTERS

Biodigesters are used in production of biogas. Biodigesters convert organic wastes, mainly manure, into a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer and biogas (methane), a renewal source of electrical and heat energy. In addition to providing fuel, it offers an environmentally friendly way of treating waste. As waste is processed in a biodigester, it is sterilized by methane-producing bacteria and the high-methane environment; over 90% of protozoa, cysts and disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, are killed. The effluent that remains after gas production is a high quality organic fertilizer that can be safely used on food crops. Liquid fertilizer has a higher nutritional value than feedstock initially put in. Quality of crops improves dramatically after one year of using biodigester fertilizer. A biodigester is normally made out of concrete, metal or any other material that permits the anaerobic fermentation of organic materials.

ADVANTAGES OF THIS TECHNOLOGY

Provide clean and renewal energy. Families use less firewood, decreasing deforestation, save money and have accessible fuel
Reduce greenhouse gas emission. The combustion of biogas produces lower greenhouse gas emission than typical methane emission from a waste
Reduce contamination of surface water, groundwater and other resources
Reduce odours and pathogens
Convert waste into high quality organic fertilizer. Families can obtain improved crop yields and save money


Lot of farmers in Uganda, Rwanda, India, Benin have uses the biogas technology effectively. And others can take a clue from it.

Learn more at “Go GREEN and Stay COOL” 


Engaging Youth in Agricultural Development

Whatever we do has an impact on the planet, it could be good or bad. However as an individual we have the power to control most of our choices from where we live to what you buy or eat, to light our home, to how you shop or vote. We need to start reaping the benefits of going  green by conserving our forests and wildlife and engage in agriculture. Today I dedicate this blogpost to agriculture, particularly Youth in Agriculture.


Agriculture has the potential to change the way we eat and farm, and to revolutionize our relationship with the food on our planet. This sector is recognized as the most effective means to reduce poverty, especially in developing countries. Agriculture is identified as one of the four economic pillars. As pockets of poverty are concentrated in rural areas, achieving the MDG target of reducing the incidence of poverty by 50 % by 2015 will depend largely on poverty reduction in rural areas where agriculture is a major economic activity.

Youth can serve as an important focus group for rural development, especially in areas where the level of social capital is low and when institutional quality is poor. Focusing on the youth it is important to note that it stimulates sustainable agricultural development, which can improve social capital, reduce risk and stimulate economic growth.

In my young life, having been involved in international affairs and development, I have had the honor to engage with YPARD and meet young professionals in Agriculture from around the world. I have a dream to raise the importance of the need for more agricultural leaders and i believe many solutions to development issues will not be efficient without youth to make a positive impact on the environment and our community.



I have made this short video to encourage young people to make a lasting difference in Agriculture. We have enormous potential, fresh ideas, capacity that is often at the core of growth and rural development. We are the greatest generation, this is our moment, and this is our time! Together, we will transform the world, towards a better future.


CALL for ACTION: Climate Change Impacts in Asia`s Agriculture


Many people ask me about Climate Change, when they ask, they know it has something to do with pollution, car exhaust and changing weather. There is lot of information floating around this topic. 


Climate change projections and impact assessments are highly uncertain, not just because no model is currently able to accurately capture every complex socio - economic - ecological interaction and their future pathways under different mitigation scenarios, but also because of the uncertainty of the mitigation paths that will be pursued. Moreover, none of the current systems are comprehensive nor do they foster comparability or integration of data across sources.  Each national or international agency uses its own set of criteria to define its boundaries. It is important to note that assessing of climate change impacts needs to be analyzed at the more local level, incorporating country – specific characteristics.

Even if emissions from all sectors were reduced to zero, climate warming would continue for decades to come. In addition, climate change could become a significant constraint on economic development in developing countries that rely on agriculture for a substantial share of gross domestic production and employment. However, trying to understand the overall effect of climate change on different sectors can be difficult.

The aim of this blogpost is to highlight a significant impact on Asia`s agriculture and how it will influence agricultural production in the region.

Asia is the largest continent on Earth and spreads over four climatic zones (boreal, arid and semi-arid, tropical and temperate).  Land and ecosystems are being degraded, threatening to undermine food security.  The problem is expected to be severe in developing Asia where current information is poor, technological change has been slow, and the domestic economies depend heavily on agriculture.

More research is clearly needed to refine the estimates of impacts in this region and to identify potential adaptation options for farmers and governments.

Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change: higher temperatures eventually reduce yields of desirable crops while encouraging weed and pest proliferation. Changes in precipitation patterns increase the likelihood of short - run crop failures and long - run production declines. Developing countries in Asia are likely to face the highest reductions in agricultural potential in the world due to climate change.  More than 60 % of the economically active population and their dependents – which amounts to 2.2 billion people – rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Currently, a set of studies is underway in both Africa and Latin America to determine climate change impacts and adaptation opportunities in those regions. 


Therefore further empirical research needs to be done, in order to provide a more precise estimate to improve the accuracy of the analysis for Asia and what will happen to the region.



           

           We welcome your ideas and comments

HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION GO GREEN

One of the key in ensuring sustainability in our effort to create a green environment now and in the near future is to get the little ones know the reason behind having a suitable environment now and in the future to come.
A practical way to do this is to create school gardens in primary schools. A school garden can take any number of forms: a raised bed in a schoolyard or an EarthBox in a classroom, a section of community garden blocks from school or a rooftop greenhouse, a flower bed bordering the school building or lettuce growing in water in a classroom. It can be simple or elaborate, involve a small number of students or a whole school, as well as parents and community neighbors.

OBJECTIVE OF THE GREEN GARDENS

  1. To boost the interest of the kids in having a green surrounding from an early each.
  2. To teach team work through practical agriculture.
  3. To improve food production at the home front through the community as the children can replicate school gardens to backyard farms.
  4. To teach children how to handle food safely.
  5. Boost collaborative development in the kids.
  6. To teach basic management skills-control, organization.
  7. To provide an atmosphere for youths to discover the untapped revenue and resources in Agriculture
BENEFITS

·         the green garden would be a good platform to learn
  • better nutrition and education for the children since is easy to manage by the students, teachers and parents possibly
  • the gardening would promote environmental, social and physical well being of the school community
  • it foster a better understanding of how the natural world sustains us
  • the children gets to learn new skills ; teachers find new ways to teach
  • create awareness about the organization promoting the project and their partners
By and large, starting early in impacting on the younger generation goes a long way in preparing them for a better future.







EAT GREEN! THINK GREEN! BE GREEN! SAVE GREEN! GO GREEN!



This week I will dedicate my blog to the sustainable diets for the future. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or meat eater, these are the foods that are good for you and good for our planet.  It is incredible how much “going green” can be incorporated into your everyday eating habits. Every day I continue to be amazed at the strong connection between health and sustainability. Our food choices have so much to do with the environment, our communities and well being.

 

Do you know that “low carbon” diet can minimize the carbon footprint when it comes to food intake?


Major tenets of  a low carbon diet include eating less industrial meat and dairy, eating less industrially produced food in general, eating food grown locally and seasonally, eating less processed and packaged foods and reducing waste form food by proper portion size, recycling and composting (Randy Hall, “Low Carbon Diet' Aims to Take Bite Out of Global Warming). A Carbon Diet is term that is used to describe making lifestyle and workplace changes for environmental sustainability. It encompasses travel, electricity, heating, food, and products and services. Basically “low carbon” diet refers to making choices about food that are more sustainable and reduce the impact on global warming. Our sustainable future is the right food choices, which are healthy and economically viable, with respect to farmers, workers and animals.

 

                                                            “Eat to live not live to eat




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