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FAO Highlights Insufficient Climate Finance for Agricultural Resilience Amid Rising Heat Risks

FAO Highlights Insufficient Climate Finance for Agricultural Resilience Amid Rising Heat Risks

A recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has highlighted the growing threat of extreme heat to agriculture and food systems. Despite agriculture's critical role in climate adaptation and resilience, only about 4% of climate finance is directed towards strengthening resilience in this sector. The report warns that some regions could face up to 250 days per year that are too hot for work, emphasizing the need for robust early warning systems and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Kaveh Zahedi, assistant director general at FAO, noted that every 1-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures could lead to a 6% reduction in yields of key crops like maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans, which are vital for global calorie intake.

FAO Official Highlights Insufficient Climate Finance for Agricultural Resilience Amid Rising Heat Risks

FAO Official Highlights Insufficient Climate Finance for Agricultural Resilience Amid Rising Heat Risks

A senior official from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has raised concerns about the inadequate allocation of climate finance towards agricultural resilience, despite the sector's critical role in climate adaptation. According to a joint report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and FAO, only about 4% of climate finance is directed towards strengthening resilience in agriculture, even though the sector is on the frontline of climate risks. The report, titled 'Extreme Heat and Agriculture,' highlights the increasing impacts of extreme heat on agriculture, food systems, ecosystems, and human life. It warns that some regions could face up to 250 days per year that are too hot to work, emphasizing the need for robust early warning systems and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Kaveh Zahedi, assistant director general and director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment at FAO, stressed the importance of preparing farmers for these challenges to ensure future...

Iran war poses new threat to harvests in hunger-stricken Sudan

Iran war poses new threat to harvests in hunger-stricken Sudan

By El Tayeb Siddig, Nafisa Eltahir and Khalid Abdelaziz OMDURMAN, Sudan, May 25 (Reuters) - Farmers across Sudan say the hike in global fuel and fertilizer costs resulting from the Iran conflict will force them to cut back on planting this summer, restricting food production in a country where war

Scientists Identify Key Drivers of Accelerating Sea Level Rise

Scientists Identify Key Drivers of Accelerating Sea Level Rise

An international team of climate researchers has identified the primary causes of global sea level rise over the past six decades, providing clarity on one of climate change's most significant threats. According to a study published in Science Advances, global sea levels have risen at an average rate of 2.06 millimeters per year since 1960, with the pace increasing to 3.94 millimeters per year between 2005 and 2023. The study attributes 43% of the rise to warming oceans, which expand as they heat. Melting ice from mountain glaciers, the Greenland Ice Sheet, and the Antarctic Ice Sheet contribute 27%, 15%, and 12% respectively, with changes in land water storage accounting for the remaining 3%. The research resolves a longstanding discrepancy between observed sea level rise and estimates from known causes, thanks to improved satellite measurements and analytical methods.

Old Farmer’s Almanac Advises Gardeners on Coping with Dry Summer Conditions

Old Farmer’s Almanac Advises Gardeners on Coping with Dry Summer Conditions

Old Farmer’s Almanac Advises Gardeners on Coping with Dry Summer Conditions

Fiji-India Partnership Aims to Boost Agricultural Support for Farmers

Fiji-India Partnership Aims to Boost Agricultural Support for Farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry in Fiji is set to enhance support for farmers through a partnership with India. Following a meeting between Minister Tomasi Tunabuna and India's High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, the two countries have established a Joint Working Group to identify key areas for agricultural cooperation. The partnership focuses on sectors such as coconut, rice, cocoa, dairy, and sugar, with India expressing willingness to extend the bilateral agreement for another five years.

Global Rice Paddy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Double Over Six Decades

Global Rice Paddy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Double Over Six Decades

A recent study published in Nature highlights a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions from global rice paddies over the past 60 years. The research attributes this rise to the expansion of rice cultivation areas and intensified residue incorporation practices. Using data from 1960 to 2020, the study analyzed the impact of various agricultural practices, including residue return, irrigation methods, and fertilizer applications, on emissions. The findings reveal that continuous irrigation and synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use are major contributors to methane and nitrous oxide emissions. The study also explored mitigation strategies, such as biochar application and optimized nitrogen use, which showed potential for reducing emissions while maintaining rice yields. The research utilized advanced modeling techniques, including the Random Forest (RF) model and the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM), to quantify these changes and their environmental impacts.

U.S. Votes Against UN Resolution on Climate Action Responsibility

U.S. Votes Against UN Resolution on Climate Action Responsibility

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution affirming that countries have a responsibility to protect people from climate change, with the United States voting against it. The resolution, led by Vanuatu and supported by countries like the UK, France, and Germany, calls for nations to adhere to their climate pledges and mitigate environmental damage. The U.S. joined other major oil producers, including Russia and Saudi Arabia, in opposing the measure. Critics argue that the resolution's language was diluted by countries resistant to being held accountable for their contributions to climate change.

Drought Intensifies Challenges for Southern Plains Farmers, Impacting Crop Decisions

Drought Intensifies Challenges for Southern Plains Farmers, Impacting Crop Decisions

Farmers in the Southern Plains, particularly in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, are grappling with severe drought conditions that are affecting their agricultural decisions. According to a recent webinar by the National Integrated Drought Information System, the drought has led to record failure rates in wheat crops and extreme water stress on rangelands. Jourdan Bell from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension highlighted that the drought is increasing farmers' reliance on federal crop insurance, which is becoming more expensive. The declining Ogallala Aquifer has further limited irrigation capacities, forcing farmers to concentrate irrigation on reduced acreage. This situation is exacerbated by the need to manage soil erosion and maintain soil health, as drought conditions lead to hardened soils and increased weed pressure.

Potential Super El Niño Could Reshape U.S. Weather Patterns

Potential Super El Niño Could Reshape U.S. Weather Patterns

Meteorologists are warning of a potentially powerful El Niño that could significantly alter U.S. weather patterns in the coming months. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that El Niño conditions are likely to develop between May and July, with the possibility of a 'super' El Niño. This could lead to increased hurricane activity in the Pacific, heightened flooding risks, and exacerbated heat, drought, and wildfire conditions in various regions. The World Meteorological Organization has noted that recent years have been among the warmest on record, and a strong El Niño could further elevate global temperatures.

Climate change’s worst-case scenario is officially canceled

Climate change’s worst-case scenario is officially canceled

What comes next will depend on us.