Cecilia's blog

Al Gore pinpoints climate risks for farmers

Submitted by Cecilia on 17th April 2013
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Al Gore gave a rousing speech at a recent climate justice conference in Dublin

by Cecilia Schubert

We need to face climate denial head on and speak up about climate injustices around the world. These were the rousing words from Al Gore, who encouraged audience members at the Dublin Conference to take action on climate change now.

There is an urgency to try and prevent the worst damage that can occur from climate change, Al Gore said to a full packed room, many of whom had come from distant nations, such as the Pacific island of Vanuatu, Malawi and Nunavut in the Arctic. Read more »

Talking hunger: How can words be translated into action?

Submitted by Cecilia on 16th April 2013
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Nutritious food for all. Can it become reality?

by Cecilia Schubert

One of the greatest failures of the global system is unequal and inadequate access to food. As a consequence, children in poverty-stricken areas are not reaching their full potential, stunting in growth before reaching adult life.

Even if the world has witnessed significant gains in poverty alleviation in the past 100 years, far too many still live in powerlessness and harsh conditions. Many struggle daily to feed themselves and their families, said H. E. Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland in his opening speech at the Dublin conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Climate Justice. President Higgins addressed an audience representing 60 different countries, many of them farmers and development practitioners from the developing world.

On top of the many going to bed hungry everyday, we now need to manage the complex layers of climate change, he continued. Read more »

Providing climate services that make sense to farmers

Submitted by Cecilia on 15th April 2013
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Climate services need to make sense to farmers on-farm needs

by Alexa Jay and James Hansen

Our research theme, Adaptation through managing climate risk, is leading efforts to build the resilience of agriculture and food systems to a variable and changing climate. From the field level to government policy, efforts to reduce the impacts of climate risk on food security depend increasingly on information and knowledge. Improving climate-related information and connecting it to those who need it is a vital part of our work. 

In an increasingly uncertain climate, climate information and advisory services can help farmers better manage risk and take advantage of favorable climate conditions. Climate services are receiving increasing attention among development organizations as a way to support climate change adaptation and immediate development goals. Read more »

From field to landscape: Tackling mitigation and livelihoods with help from farmers

Submitted by Cecilia on 14th April 2013
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Re-designing landscapes might become necessary if mitigation is to stay pro-poor

by Mariana Rufino

An example of how CCAFS and its partners are moving from the research desk to action on the ground while supporting local communities is ”the SAMPLES approach”. Systems Analyst Mariana Rufino recently discussed how the ‘Standard Assessment of Mitigation Potential and Livelihoods in Smallholder Systems’ - the SAMPLES approach- help address pro-poor mitigation challenges in developing countries.

Smallholder activities impact, and are impacted by, the constraints of their surroundings. Understanding these cross-scale interactions, between agriculture and the environment, could help generate a range of ecosystem services for which smallholders’ livelihoods depend. Read more »

Climate action in Kenya: New national plan launched

Submitted by Cecilia on 12th April 2013
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Kenyan farmers now live in a country with a climate action plan

By Vivian Atakos

Kenya recently launched the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) that will guide the transition of the country towards a low carbon climate resilient development pathway.

The plan further encourages people centered development, ensuring that climate change actions support the achievement of Kenya’s development goals. Read more »

Keeping fish in rice fields could help farmers adapt to a changing climate

Submitted by Cecilia on 12th April 2013
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A smart adaptation measure is to dig holes for fish in rice fields

by Melody Braun

Fish and fisheries play an important role in food security in Bangladesh, as fish represents 58 percent of all animal protein consumption, as well as a good source of vitamins and nutrients. However, natural fish populations depend on favorable environmental conditions that allow them to complete their natural life cycle. Increased incidence of floods, droughts and erratic rainfall, related to climate change, negatively affect species diversity, composition and productivity.

As mentioned in our previous story "Gender attitudes and practices investigated in Bangladesh", CCAFS is currently supporting a WorldFish project, called The Smart Farm. This project is looking at strategies to enhance both the productivity and diversity of fish in the context of a changing climate, seasonality, and patterns of inundation. Read more »

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