Adapting agriculture to mitigate climate change. From
droughts in Mexico to floods in Pakistan and deadly heat in the US,
extreme weather events are increasing due to global warming. Experts
have stated concern that these could lead to instability in global
agriculture markets and even conflicts over food, similar to those seen
in 2007 and 2008.
In a recent report, the World Bank studied the
impacts of climate change in-depth for the countries Mozambique,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Bangladesh, Âu Lạc (Vietnam), Samoa, and Bolivia, and
estimated that the cost for all the most vulnerable countries to adapt
to climate change will be US$70-100 billion per year until 2050.
Warren Evans – Director of Environment Department at World Bank (M): The
reality is that climate change is a development issue. The poorest of
the poor tend to be the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change, whether it’s sea level rise, drought, flooding. They also are
the least resilient because of their impoverished state.
VOICE:
The World Bank’s new study was presented by Environment Department
Director Warren Evans, who explained that economic development is the
most cost-effective method of climate change adaptation. In particular,
developing sustainable agriculture would make both adaptation and
mitigation of climate change efficient, a point confirmed by a 2009
Dutch study which found that a global shift to an organic vegan diet
would save world governments 80% of climate mitigation costs by 2050, or a savings of US$32 trillion.
Mr. Evans (M):
Agriculture is one of the opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. There is a tremendous amount of carbon stored in soils and in
grasses and so on. Right now, that is not a part of the equation in
terms of getting financing to developing countries for reducing their
emissions, but there’s a tremendous opportunity to shift agricultural
practices, so that carbon is stored.
Supreme Master TV (F): And what kind of practices are you talking about?
Mr. Evans (M):
Well, a simple one is no-till farming, where you reduce the amount of
exposure of the soils to the air, to the atmosphere. You retain a higher
level of organic composition and of vegetative growth on top of the
soils, proven over and over again to be a highly effective system for
production.
Other systems involve changing the way the water’s managed, and in some cases it’s a matter of changing crops.
VOICE:
Our appreciation Director Evans and World Bank for indicating ways to
support the most impacted countries in mitigating global warming. May
all nations help to make rapid and effective changes to stop further
climate change.
During a May 2009 videoconference in Togo,
Supreme Master Ching Hai discussed organic vegan farming practices and
their benefits for the planet at this crucial time.
Supreme Master Ching Hai:
Organic farming preserves topsoil and keeps water bodies clean, and if
used worldwide, would have the potential to absorb and store
approximately 40% of all present-day CO2 emissions each year.
The
other aspects of vegan organic farming that are beneficial including
things like crop rotation, mulching, and natural fertilizers. Other
methods such as mulching and even a new method called no-till organic
farming help retain moisture and reduce soil erosion considerably.
So,
in general, vegan organic farming follows a philosophy of living in
harmony with nature and protection for the planet and all beings. I
highly encourage you to pursue vegan organic farming methods, if at all
possible. Of course, it is possible.
It has to be possible for
our own survival. The vegan diet is the real key and is the essence of
the change that is needed for saving our planet.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE67B3XT20100812 http://beta.worldbank.org/content/economics-adaptation-climate-change-study-homepage
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