This document discusses food as a commons and presents arguments for considering food through a multi-dimensional lens that values non-economic aspects in addition to economic ones. It notes that viewing food only through an economic commodity perspective fails to recognize important non-economic dimensions related to human needs and rights. The document advocates transitioning toward more sustainable and just food systems by recognizing food as a commons and valuing its multiple dimensions, including through innovative and customary commons-based food alternatives.
Presentation hold by Thierry Kesteloot, Policy Advisor, Oxfam-Solidarité, as part of the first panel of the 30th edition of the Brussels Briefing on “Agricultural resilience in the face of crisis and shocks", organized by CTA in collaboration with the ACP Secretariat, the EC/DEVCO, Concord, and IFPRI on 4th March 2013.
More on: http://brusselsbriefings.net/
Samoa Agritourism Policy Setting Worskhop 2016
Linking Agriculture and Tourism through Policy setting:
Strengthening the local agrifood sector and promoting agritourism
Workshop organised by the Government of Samoa and CTA
in collaboration with PIPSO
Powerpoint of one of my PhD studies on how food-related professionals working in the food system in multiple institutions value food (as a commons or a commodity) and how this valuation shapes preferred food policies.
Presented at International Conference of the European Network of Political Ecology (ENTITLE), Stockholm, 20-23 of March 2016
http://www.ces.uc.pt/undisciplined-environments/index.php?id=12410&id_lingua=1&pag=12507
Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st CenturyDuPont
In 2010, DuPont responded to the global food security challenge by convening a group of experts in global agriculture, development, science, policy and economics to form the Committee. Over the course of a year, the Committee met several times, beginning with a listening tour with farmers in Iowa, and including a week-long meeting in Africa with a di- verse group including farmers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government leaders, among others. The Committee explored complex issues around meeting global food demand to provide recommendations on potential solutions, including how DuPont can play a unique and catalytic role in addressing the challenge ahead.
The Committee explored the issues through the lens of both the developed and devel- oping world, with farmers as its focus. Specifically, the Committee examined issues of farmer productivity, including technology and innovation; capacity building; infrastruc- ture needs; education; policy and regulatory challenges relating to markets and trade; intellectual property (IP); and environmental, economic and social sustainability.
The Committee commends the leadership, engagement and support of DuPont and its team during this process and looks forward to the company’s more specific responses to these recommendations. Set forth below in this Report is a summary of the key issues and findings of the Committee, and its recommendations for the agricultural community.
Third lecture (out of three) in the Master on European and Global Governance by the Institute for European Global Studies (University of Basel, Switzerland).
https://europa.unibas.ch/fr/weiterbildung/cas-europe-2050/
This lecture analyses the competing narratives of transition in the global and European food systems, within the theoretical framework of the Socio-technical Transition Theory and the Multi-Level Perspective.
The dominant productivist narrative of the regime and the alternative narratives of the innovative and challenging niches are presented (food sovereignty, agro-ecology, de-growth, commons, Transition Towns, Buen Vivir, Ubuntu).
The current industrial system of production, transformation and consumption of food is the major driver of planetary destruction. This system, sustained by the normative valuation of food as a commodity, is pursuing resource enclosures and unsustainable exploitation beyond planetary boundaries to satisfy the profit maximization ethos. Because food is only a commodity, for-profit initiatives are fully justified.
In this lecture, I propose a different value-based narrative, one based on the multiple dimensions of food relevant to human beings, dimensions that cannot be valued in market monetary terms. Food as a commodity just use the treadeable dimension of food. But what about the others (i.e. a human right, and essential resource, a cultural determinant). Therefore, food shall be valued differently, as a multi-dimensional commons with public good dimensions that require a different kind of governance and allocation mechanisms othern than the market.
If we need to change drastically the global food system in crisis, we need to start by having a different narrative and different food values. Here is a first approach to that.
This document discusses food as a commons and presents arguments for considering food through a multi-dimensional lens that values non-economic aspects in addition to economic ones. It notes that viewing food only through an economic commodity perspective fails to recognize important non-economic dimensions related to human needs and rights. The document advocates transitioning toward more sustainable and just food systems by recognizing food as a commons and valuing its multiple dimensions, including through innovative and customary commons-based food alternatives.
Presentation hold by Thierry Kesteloot, Policy Advisor, Oxfam-Solidarité, as part of the first panel of the 30th edition of the Brussels Briefing on “Agricultural resilience in the face of crisis and shocks", organized by CTA in collaboration with the ACP Secretariat, the EC/DEVCO, Concord, and IFPRI on 4th March 2013.
More on: http://brusselsbriefings.net/
Samoa Agritourism Policy Setting Worskhop 2016
Linking Agriculture and Tourism through Policy setting:
Strengthening the local agrifood sector and promoting agritourism
Workshop organised by the Government of Samoa and CTA
in collaboration with PIPSO
Powerpoint of one of my PhD studies on how food-related professionals working in the food system in multiple institutions value food (as a commons or a commodity) and how this valuation shapes preferred food policies.
Presented at International Conference of the European Network of Political Ecology (ENTITLE), Stockholm, 20-23 of March 2016
http://www.ces.uc.pt/undisciplined-environments/index.php?id=12410&id_lingua=1&pag=12507
Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st CenturyDuPont
In 2010, DuPont responded to the global food security challenge by convening a group of experts in global agriculture, development, science, policy and economics to form the Committee. Over the course of a year, the Committee met several times, beginning with a listening tour with farmers in Iowa, and including a week-long meeting in Africa with a di- verse group including farmers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government leaders, among others. The Committee explored complex issues around meeting global food demand to provide recommendations on potential solutions, including how DuPont can play a unique and catalytic role in addressing the challenge ahead.
The Committee explored the issues through the lens of both the developed and devel- oping world, with farmers as its focus. Specifically, the Committee examined issues of farmer productivity, including technology and innovation; capacity building; infrastruc- ture needs; education; policy and regulatory challenges relating to markets and trade; intellectual property (IP); and environmental, economic and social sustainability.
The Committee commends the leadership, engagement and support of DuPont and its team during this process and looks forward to the company’s more specific responses to these recommendations. Set forth below in this Report is a summary of the key issues and findings of the Committee, and its recommendations for the agricultural community.
Third lecture (out of three) in the Master on European and Global Governance by the Institute for European Global Studies (University of Basel, Switzerland).
https://europa.unibas.ch/fr/weiterbildung/cas-europe-2050/
This lecture analyses the competing narratives of transition in the global and European food systems, within the theoretical framework of the Socio-technical Transition Theory and the Multi-Level Perspective.
The dominant productivist narrative of the regime and the alternative narratives of the innovative and challenging niches are presented (food sovereignty, agro-ecology, de-growth, commons, Transition Towns, Buen Vivir, Ubuntu).
The current industrial system of production, transformation and consumption of food is the major driver of planetary destruction. This system, sustained by the normative valuation of food as a commodity, is pursuing resource enclosures and unsustainable exploitation beyond planetary boundaries to satisfy the profit maximization ethos. Because food is only a commodity, for-profit initiatives are fully justified.
In this lecture, I propose a different value-based narrative, one based on the multiple dimensions of food relevant to human beings, dimensions that cannot be valued in market monetary terms. Food as a commodity just use the treadeable dimension of food. But what about the others (i.e. a human right, and essential resource, a cultural determinant). Therefore, food shall be valued differently, as a multi-dimensional commons with public good dimensions that require a different kind of governance and allocation mechanisms othern than the market.
If we need to change drastically the global food system in crisis, we need to start by having a different narrative and different food values. Here is a first approach to that.
The document discusses shifting from a quantitative paradigm focused on reducing hunger to a micronutrient paradigm focused on ensuring adequate micronutrient intake. It notes that over 2 billion people have micronutrient deficiencies and outlines a four-part program: 1) raising awareness, 2) taxing micronutrient-poor products, 3) encouraging small, self-sufficient agricultural units, and 4) developing knowledge databases. Food-based approaches like dietary diversification, enriching staple crops and soils, and promoting indigenous food systems can help incorporate micronutrients. Case studies from Peru and Nigeria show how assessing traditional foods and raising awareness can address micronutrient needs. Financing requires investment in education, research,
This document discusses the concept of food sovereignty, which was formulated by the international organization Via Campesina in 1996 as an alternative to the industrial food system. It provides 8 key points about food sovereignty, including that food is viewed as a cultural issue rather than a commodity, family farmers and local communities should control national food systems rather than corporations, and the needs of the national market are prioritized over export markets. The document also notes some elements of food sovereignty that require further nuanced analysis, such as the relationship with global trade, biotechnology, and the role of the nation-state.
Food waste and loss is a large and increasingly urgent problem and is particularly acute in developing countries where food loss reduces income by at least 15 percent (according to the FAO) for 470 million smallholder farmers and downstream value chain actors, most of whom are part of the 1.2 billion people who are food insecure.
Lecture at IUC Turin as part of a Module on Social Food Movements. Here I present the right to food constituency, NGOs, associations, legal scholars and the few institutions and countries that actually support politically and financially this fundamental right (closely linked to right to life). I explore major barriers (normative, academic and political) to the full implementation, and analyse the different developments in Latin America (progress) and Europe (stalemate).
Wake up before it´s too late! Agriculture at the crossroads: Assuring food se...SIANI
Presented by Ulrich Hoffmann during the seminar How to Feed Nine Billion within the Planet’s Boundaries - Agroecology for Food Security & Nutrition organised by the SIANI Expert group on Agriculture Transformation on March 10, 2015. Read more here: http://www.siani.se/expert-groups/agriculture-transformation-low-income-countries-under-environmental-change
Second lecture (out of three) in the Master on European and Global Governance by the Institute for European Global Studies (University of Basel, Switzerland).
https://europa.unibas.ch/fr/weiterbildung/cas-europe-2050/
This presentation includes a critical assessment of a recent foresight report on the future of Global and European Food Security in 2030, an analysis of the Common Agricultural Policy (past and future) and the rising numbers of food insecure european households.
Concete policy proposals that could be included in a yet-to-be Common Food Policy (replacing the current CAP in 2020) are discussed at the end.
Comments are more than welcomed.
Systems Approach to Modelling Food Sustainability: From Concepts to PracticeBioversity International
Systems Approach to Modelling Food Sustainability: From Concepts to Practice - Presentation by Ariella Helfgott. This presentation was given as part of the 'Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems Symposium, co-organized by Bioversity International and CIHEAM-IAMM, November 4th -5th 2014, Agropolis International, Montpellier
Visit 'Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems' Symposium webpage.
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/metrics-sustainable-diets-symposium/
Reflection on Key Points from Inception WorkshopSri Lmb
The document summarizes presentations from a workshop on sustainable agriculture intensification, highlighting areas like improving rice production through conservation agriculture and sustainable rice intensification, promoting education for smallholder farmers, and developing monitoring and evaluation systems to understand impact on farmers. Key points included the need to work with natural systems to increase productivity with fewer inputs, empower farmers through participatory research and field schools, and influence policies to support sustainable intensification practices.
Agricultural biotechnology and the economics of food security and climate cha...ExternalEvents
Agricultural biotechnology and the economics of food security and climate change mitigation presentation by "Daniel Sumner, University of California Davis, Davis, United States of America
"
A diagram (infographic) that provides an overview of the actors and flows that make up the global food system. Developed in the context of the Future of Food and Farming project, UK Government Office for Science (2011).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-food-and-farming
The contribution of smallholder farmers to the Agenda 2030ExternalEvents
http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/en/
This presentation was presentaed during the seminar Soils & Pulses: symbiosis for life that took place at FAO HQ on 19 Apr 2016. it was made by Wafaa El Khoury and it presents The contribution of smallholder farmers to the Agenda 2030.
The document discusses key issues facing small-scale farmers and recommendations from a global agricultural assessment. It finds that:
1) Food prices have risen due to increasing global demand, high energy costs, weather issues, biofuel production, and market speculation. However, prices remain below 1970s-80s levels. Agricultural intensification has benefited some but left over 850 million hungry and 150 million children malnourished.
2) Agriculture must be viewed as multi-functional, providing economic, environmental and social benefits alongside food production. Approaches should sustain yields without degrading the environment.
3) Empowering small-scale farmers and women, agro-ecological practices, local knowledge integration,
Lecture in the module "Global Food Policies" of the Master in Food, Law and Finance (IUC Torino, 23 Feb 2017). Several very common food policies often implemented in countries of the Global South are presented and analysed through a critical approach (who wins/who loses, balance of power, visible outputs VS underlying causes, collateral effects, paternalism VS universalism, rights-based or needs-based). taxing unhealthy ultra-processed food and beverages (Mexico soda tax as case study), conditional cash transfers and their impact in stunting (Mexico and Brazil as case studies) and patented technologies to save lives VS public research (Plumpy Nut, ready-to-use therapeutic food to save lives in humanitarian situations). The idea is to understand the advantages, impacts and challenges of those well-known food policies.
Food planet health Fabrice DeClerck CLUES 2020Alain Vidal
The document discusses a report from the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. It outlines the commission's goal of achieving healthy diets for nearly 10 billion people by 2050 through 1 goal, 2 targets, and 5 strategies. The targets are defined as healthy reference diets and planetary boundaries for environmental systems. Modeling was used to analyze measures to stay within boundaries while delivering healthy diets.
Human security and food security hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition New Food Innovation Ltd
"Food Security exists when all people , at all times , have physical social and economic access to sufficient , safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life "
Integrative Risk Management for Catastrophe Destroying 10-20% of Global Food ...Global Risk Forum GRFDavos
6th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2016 Integrative Risk Management - Towards Resilient Cities. 28 August - 01 September 2016 in Davos, Switzerland
John Ingram | Enhancing food system resilience CIFOR-ICRAF
John Ingram, visiting CIFOR from the Environmental Change Institute — University of Oxford, was the keynote speaker during a seminar on food systems on Feb. 12, 2019, organized by the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA).
The document discusses shifting from a quantitative paradigm focused on reducing hunger to a micronutrient paradigm focused on ensuring adequate micronutrient intake. It notes that over 2 billion people have micronutrient deficiencies and outlines a four-part program: 1) raising awareness, 2) taxing micronutrient-poor products, 3) encouraging small, self-sufficient agricultural units, and 4) developing knowledge databases. Food-based approaches like dietary diversification, enriching staple crops and soils, and promoting indigenous food systems can help incorporate micronutrients. Case studies from Peru and Nigeria show how assessing traditional foods and raising awareness can address micronutrient needs. Financing requires investment in education, research,
This document discusses the concept of food sovereignty, which was formulated by the international organization Via Campesina in 1996 as an alternative to the industrial food system. It provides 8 key points about food sovereignty, including that food is viewed as a cultural issue rather than a commodity, family farmers and local communities should control national food systems rather than corporations, and the needs of the national market are prioritized over export markets. The document also notes some elements of food sovereignty that require further nuanced analysis, such as the relationship with global trade, biotechnology, and the role of the nation-state.
Food waste and loss is a large and increasingly urgent problem and is particularly acute in developing countries where food loss reduces income by at least 15 percent (according to the FAO) for 470 million smallholder farmers and downstream value chain actors, most of whom are part of the 1.2 billion people who are food insecure.
Lecture at IUC Turin as part of a Module on Social Food Movements. Here I present the right to food constituency, NGOs, associations, legal scholars and the few institutions and countries that actually support politically and financially this fundamental right (closely linked to right to life). I explore major barriers (normative, academic and political) to the full implementation, and analyse the different developments in Latin America (progress) and Europe (stalemate).
Wake up before it´s too late! Agriculture at the crossroads: Assuring food se...SIANI
Presented by Ulrich Hoffmann during the seminar How to Feed Nine Billion within the Planet’s Boundaries - Agroecology for Food Security & Nutrition organised by the SIANI Expert group on Agriculture Transformation on March 10, 2015. Read more here: http://www.siani.se/expert-groups/agriculture-transformation-low-income-countries-under-environmental-change
Second lecture (out of three) in the Master on European and Global Governance by the Institute for European Global Studies (University of Basel, Switzerland).
https://europa.unibas.ch/fr/weiterbildung/cas-europe-2050/
This presentation includes a critical assessment of a recent foresight report on the future of Global and European Food Security in 2030, an analysis of the Common Agricultural Policy (past and future) and the rising numbers of food insecure european households.
Concete policy proposals that could be included in a yet-to-be Common Food Policy (replacing the current CAP in 2020) are discussed at the end.
Comments are more than welcomed.
Systems Approach to Modelling Food Sustainability: From Concepts to PracticeBioversity International
Systems Approach to Modelling Food Sustainability: From Concepts to Practice - Presentation by Ariella Helfgott. This presentation was given as part of the 'Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems Symposium, co-organized by Bioversity International and CIHEAM-IAMM, November 4th -5th 2014, Agropolis International, Montpellier
Visit 'Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems' Symposium webpage.
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/metrics-sustainable-diets-symposium/
Reflection on Key Points from Inception WorkshopSri Lmb
The document summarizes presentations from a workshop on sustainable agriculture intensification, highlighting areas like improving rice production through conservation agriculture and sustainable rice intensification, promoting education for smallholder farmers, and developing monitoring and evaluation systems to understand impact on farmers. Key points included the need to work with natural systems to increase productivity with fewer inputs, empower farmers through participatory research and field schools, and influence policies to support sustainable intensification practices.
Agricultural biotechnology and the economics of food security and climate cha...ExternalEvents
Agricultural biotechnology and the economics of food security and climate change mitigation presentation by "Daniel Sumner, University of California Davis, Davis, United States of America
"
A diagram (infographic) that provides an overview of the actors and flows that make up the global food system. Developed in the context of the Future of Food and Farming project, UK Government Office for Science (2011).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-food-and-farming
The contribution of smallholder farmers to the Agenda 2030ExternalEvents
http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/en/
This presentation was presentaed during the seminar Soils & Pulses: symbiosis for life that took place at FAO HQ on 19 Apr 2016. it was made by Wafaa El Khoury and it presents The contribution of smallholder farmers to the Agenda 2030.
The document discusses key issues facing small-scale farmers and recommendations from a global agricultural assessment. It finds that:
1) Food prices have risen due to increasing global demand, high energy costs, weather issues, biofuel production, and market speculation. However, prices remain below 1970s-80s levels. Agricultural intensification has benefited some but left over 850 million hungry and 150 million children malnourished.
2) Agriculture must be viewed as multi-functional, providing economic, environmental and social benefits alongside food production. Approaches should sustain yields without degrading the environment.
3) Empowering small-scale farmers and women, agro-ecological practices, local knowledge integration,
Lecture in the module "Global Food Policies" of the Master in Food, Law and Finance (IUC Torino, 23 Feb 2017). Several very common food policies often implemented in countries of the Global South are presented and analysed through a critical approach (who wins/who loses, balance of power, visible outputs VS underlying causes, collateral effects, paternalism VS universalism, rights-based or needs-based). taxing unhealthy ultra-processed food and beverages (Mexico soda tax as case study), conditional cash transfers and their impact in stunting (Mexico and Brazil as case studies) and patented technologies to save lives VS public research (Plumpy Nut, ready-to-use therapeutic food to save lives in humanitarian situations). The idea is to understand the advantages, impacts and challenges of those well-known food policies.
Food planet health Fabrice DeClerck CLUES 2020Alain Vidal
The document discusses a report from the EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. It outlines the commission's goal of achieving healthy diets for nearly 10 billion people by 2050 through 1 goal, 2 targets, and 5 strategies. The targets are defined as healthy reference diets and planetary boundaries for environmental systems. Modeling was used to analyze measures to stay within boundaries while delivering healthy diets.
Human security and food security hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition New Food Innovation Ltd
"Food Security exists when all people , at all times , have physical social and economic access to sufficient , safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life "
Integrative Risk Management for Catastrophe Destroying 10-20% of Global Food ...Global Risk Forum GRFDavos
6th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2016 Integrative Risk Management - Towards Resilient Cities. 28 August - 01 September 2016 in Davos, Switzerland
John Ingram | Enhancing food system resilience CIFOR-ICRAF
John Ingram, visiting CIFOR from the Environmental Change Institute — University of Oxford, was the keynote speaker during a seminar on food systems on Feb. 12, 2019, organized by the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA).
This document outlines a presentation on risk management oriented food security. It begins with an introduction defining food security and its three facets of availability, access, and use. It then lists the three objectives of food security as ensuring adequate production, stability in supplies, and access for those in need. Major challenges identified are minimum support prices, market demand, issues facing small/marginal farmers, and food-for-work schemes. The document proposes actions to enhance food security such as agricultural development, increasing food production and reserves, functioning markets, and ensuring purchasing power for the poorest. It concludes that climate change impacts agricultural production and the vulnerable populations dependent on it.
Falck zepeda spielman cimmyt template 50th anniversary final abbvjfalck
Ensuring Technology Access
by José Falck-Zepeda and David Spielman
Technical change has had and is likely to have a tremendous impact on agricultural productivity growth and food security. Technical change, however, varies significantly across countries, communities, households, and individuals. These vary in terms of capabilities and opportunities to improve their well-being. Equity is an ethical issue that matters for technical change, however the innovation system has lost track of this issue. The CGIAR can and should be a driver of both technological change and improvements in equity, but only if we influence the design and implementation of policies and institutions that shape technical change and its equity impacts
GLOBAL FOOD HOW BEST TO FEED THE WORLD Order Description.docxwrite4
This document discusses various perspectives on achieving global food security and feeding the world's growing population. It outlines perspectives from Christian churches, advocates for dietary and attitude changes, multinational agribusinesses, scientific research bodies, farmers, and international aid/development agencies. For each perspective, it identifies their beliefs and potential resolutions, and who might benefit. It also discusses issues around the role of scientific advances, climate change, economic/political structures, and the interests of different stakeholder groups in debates around food security.
This document provides an overview and agenda for a youth leadership summit on sustainability. It discusses:
1. The purpose of the summit is to help youth understand sustainability science and examples of island sustainability leaders.
2. The agenda includes introductions to global sustainability challenges, sustainability science principles, and case studies of sustainable islands like Hawaii, the Isle of Wight, and El Hierro.
3. Sustainability science is defined as ensuring activities do not undermine ecological and social systems by concentrating substances, degrading the environment, or preventing people from meeting basic needs. Islands face challenges in food/energy security but also opportunities to pioneer renewable energy.
Poverty Alleviation and Research PartnershipsCIMMYT
The document discusses challenges in research partnerships for poverty alleviation. It notes that while increasing food production seems a logical solution, access to food is also critical given issues of distribution, entitlements and power dynamics. Effective partnerships require agreement on the problem's nature as well as aligned incentives around timeframes, goals and roles. When these alignments occur, as in two example partnerships on food prices and adaptation, impactful research can be conducted to address complex poverty issues.
HLPE-FSN note on Critical, emerging and enduring issues for food security and...Francois Stepman
30 September 2022 | online event | 14:30-16:30 CEST. Launch of the HLPE-FSN note on
Critical, emerging and enduring issues for food security and nutrition
The HLPE-FSN Critical, emerging and enduring issues note was prepared in the context of an emerging global food crisis of enormous proportions, greatly magnified by the war in Ukraine, further accentuated by closely following upon the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this background, it is increasingly apparent that sound governance, a robust research agenda, a strong science-policy interface and appropriate financialresources are necessary to facilitate the much needed transformation of food systems in a manner that is equitable and sustainable.
https://paepard.blogspot.com/2022/09/hlpe-fsn-note-on-critical-emerging-and.html
Chapter 17 science , the environment and societyRay Brannon
This document discusses the interactions between science and society in three paragraphs:
1) It examines how social factors like funding, policies, and competition can influence what research is pursued, despite the ideal that science follows objective evidence.
2) It explores the concept of "boundary work" where scientists debate the legitimacy of certain theories, like discussions around evolution versus creationism.
3) It discusses how the prestige of researchers can impact which studies gain more attention through the "Matthew effect", and how scientific facts are socially constructed through debate and disagreements between scientists.
Agroecology: The Foundation for Food System SustainabilityExternalEvents
http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/agroecology-symposium-china/en/
Key note presentation of Steve Gliessman, from University of California Santa Cruz, on agroecology as the foundations for food system sustianability. The presentation was prepared and delivered in occasion of the International Symposium on Agroecology in China, held in Kunming, China on 29-31 August 2016.
The document outlines the agenda for a youth leadership summit on sustainability. The summit aims to help participants understand global sustainability challenges, learn the basic science of sustainability, and examine examples of island communities advancing sustainable development. The agenda includes an introduction, global overview, sustainability science principles, and examples of sustainable islands like Hawaii, Samso in Denmark, and El Hierro in Spain. It discusses sustainability challenges like dependence on imported resources and high living costs in Hawaii. It also highlights opportunities for islands to improve sustainability through renewable energy, food security, and showcasing grassroots solutions that can make islands leaders in advancing sustainability.
This document provides an outline for a lecture on understanding the environment. It covers topics such as current environmental conditions, historical perspectives on the environmental movement, a divided world in terms of wealth and its impact on the environment, sustainable development, indigenous people, environmental ethics, environmental justice, and environmental racism. The outline contains over 30 sections that will be covered in the lecture.
This document discusses the complex interactions between bioenergy and food security. It raises several key cross-cutting questions about this topic, including how the integration of biofuels could affect food security, what role productivity improvements play in synergies between food and bioenergy production, and if bioenergy can be deployed to enhance rather than degrade the resilience of the global food system. The document also discusses using different analytical tools at different scales to understand these issues and highlights complexity as both an obstacle and an opportunity in the bioenergy sector.
Modern trends in agriculture extension in pakistan A Lecture By Mr Allah Dad...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
Trends in agriculture will shape the future of farming in Pakistan. Modern techniques like increased scale and specialization, efficient production methods, and viewing farming as a business are crucial for meeting the country's growing food demands. Emerging issues like climate change, population growth, and environmental sustainability also present challenges and opportunities. Strategies going forward include innovative technologies, extension services, market integration, risk management, and developing infrastructure and human capital for a resilient agricultural system.
Towards Precepts of Food System Sustainability - Presentation by Hallie Eakin. This presentation was given as part of the 'Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems Symposiumco-organized by Bioversity International and CIHEAM-IAMM, November 4th -5th 2014, Agropolis International, Montpellier
Visit 'Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems' Symposium webpage.
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/metrics-sustainable-diets-symposium/
Transforming rural livelihoods and landscapes: Sustainable improvements to in...CIFOR-ICRAF
This document discusses approaches for sustainably improving rural livelihoods, food security, and the environment. It notes the challenges of feeding a growing global population while maintaining sustainability. Key points include:
- Integrated management approaches that increase smallholder productivity and resilience to climate change are needed.
- Governance and infrastructure support are important to provide smallholders access to markets and resources.
- Landscape approaches address complex interactions and require stakeholder involvement.
- Examples from CABI's work demonstrate improving nutrition through crop diversity and leveraging mobile technology to connect smallholders.
This document presents a concept paper for a task force on sustainable lifestyles. It discusses how current consumption patterns are often unsustainable and put pressure on the environment. Lifestyles comprise behaviors, social practices, and infrastructure that support consumption. Effectively addressing consumption requires interventions at multiple levels of culture, society, environment, and economics. Promoting sustainable lifestyles requires empowering people with awareness and knowledge to demand more sustainable options and participate in initiatives. Education plays an important role in facilitating changes in attitudes and behaviors toward sustainability. The concept paper aims to support discussion on sustainable lifestyles and education for sustainable consumption.
Similar to Redefining food security - links equity, health and sustainability globally (20)
1. Tree-soil-crop interactions in rubber agroforestry systems can be managed at the plot, farm, and landscape levels. At the plot level, a mixed-age stand can be maintained for cash flow while diversifying. At the farm level, credit can cover replanting costs until cash flow is positive. At the landscape level, policy harmonization across forest and agriculture is important.
2. Agroforestry is understood as applying at the plot, landscape, and governance levels, reflecting the interface of agriculture and forestry. It involves tree-soil-crop-livestock interactions as well as interactions between tree cover, livelihoods, and ecosystem services across landscapes.
3. Rubber
The DryDev programme aimed to transform lives and landscapes in dryland areas through sustainable rural development. Over six years, it worked with over 164,000 smallholder farmers across five countries in Africa. Key achievements included rehabilitating over 163,000 hectares of land through watershed management and planting over 4.6 million trees. It also increased food security and incomes by expanding irrigation to over 16,000 hectares, utilizing over 950 water harvesting structures, and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices on over 60,000 hectares.
This document discusses measuring biodiversity on farmland. It notes that 60% of ecosystem services have been impaired and over 20% of global agricultural land is degraded. Assessing farmland biodiversity is challenging due to high spatial variability. Protocols for landscape-scale assessment include measuring land cover, trees, birds, and modeling remote sensing data with ground calibration. Optional protocols examine linear tree features, pollinators, natural enemies, and soil organisms. A farmland biodiversity score is proposed that weighs biomass, spectral diversity, neighborhood effects, and slope/proximity to water.
How can we overcome obstacles and mobilize investments for successful, sustai...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
This document discusses funding gaps and principles for successful financing of nature-based solutions (NBS) such as land restoration projects in Africa. It notes that while the Bonn Challenge and New York declaration on Forests call for $350 billion and $830 billion respectively for restoration, actual funding leaves large gaps. It advocates for bridging these gaps through public-private partnerships and prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term profits. Six principles are outlined for financing NBS, including ensuring social and environmental safeguards, monitoring impacts, and directing funds toward low-carbon development in developing countries. The Regreening Africa program addresses livelihoods, biodiversity and climate change through land restoration projects across eight African nations.
Forest and agroforesty options for building resilience in refugee situations:...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2020
Climate Crisis Inter-Network
"Fit for Purpose? Current Tools and Approaches to Mitigate Climate Risks in Humanitarian Settings"
HLPE 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome
Agroforestry systems for restoration in Brazil: reconciling social and ecolo...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
This document discusses agroforestry systems for environmental restoration in Brazil that balance social and ecological functions. It outlines that agroforestry can: (1) maintain ecosystem structure/functions like biodiversity and soil quality while providing social/economic functions for family farms; (2) perform restoration in an economically feasible way by including people and accelerating natural succession; and (3) improve livelihoods through appropriate management. However, balancing trade-offs between social/environmental benefits and costs is challenging. The document then provides examples of agroforestry systems for restoration in Brazil and their costs, benefits for climate change adaptation/mitigation, food security, and carbon storage potential.
This document discusses the vulnerability of forest-dependent people and forests to climate change. It notes that over 1 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods, while 1 billion hectares of land are under agroforestry worldwide. Climate change poses direct risks like increased temperatures and wildfires, and indirect risks through impacts on species and ecosystems. Potential transition issues from policies like REDD+ could negatively impact land and tree rights of indigenous groups. The document argues that comprehensive vulnerability assessments are needed using qualitative and quantitative methods to understand all vulnerabilities, include stakeholders, and identify good practices to address risks to forests and forest-dependent communities from climate change.
An increasing multitude of insect pests and pathogens is targeting indigenous trees of natural forests, agroforestry systems, and exotic trees in planted forests in Africa. This is raising major concerns for a continent already challenged by adaptations to climate change, as it threatens a vital resource for food security of rural communities, economic growth, and ecosystem conservation. The accidental introduction through trade of non‐native species in particular is accelerating, and it adds to the damage to tree‐based landscapes by native pests and diseases. Old‐time and new invaders heavily impact planted forests of exotic eucalypts, pines, and acacias, and are spreading quickly across African regions. But many non‐native pathogens are recently found affecting important indigenous trees.
Species distribution modelling is being used to map the habitats of over 150 priority African plant species. More advanced modelling methods are being used to reduce bias, including spatial folding and thinning. Presence observations from across Africa are being used to calibrate provisional distribution models for individual species in countries like Ethiopia. The results will then be verified by botanists and combined with vegetation mapping data.
Not all roads lead to Rome: Inclusive business models and responsible finance...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
The document discusses approaches to achieving sustainable cocoa production in Ghana by 2020. It identifies several challenges in the cocoa sector including low productivity, rural poverty, and deforestation. It analyzes different stakeholder approaches and finds they mainly focus on increased productivity, while social and environmental issues are addressed less. Inclusive business models include many smallholder farmers but benefits are not always equitable. Responsible finance from impact investors and social lenders has potential to leverage more equitable models and landscape restoration, but investments have not been well adapted for cocoa sectors. A "multi-chain approach" is proposed to better leverage finance through a portfolio of value chains at the landscape level.
Decent work and economic growth: Potential impacts of SDG 8 on forests and fo...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
This paper assesses the potential impact of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 on forests and forest-dependent people. The concepts of decent work and economic growth are put in the context of predominant development theories and paradigms (modernization, economic growth, basic needs, sustainable development) which shape the agendas of governments, private sector, civil society, and investors. These stakeholders pursue different goals and interests, with uneven prioritization of SDG 8 targets and mixed impacts on forests and livelihoods.
Forest conservation and socio-economic benefits through community forest conc...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
With an extension of 2.1 million ha, the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) in Petén, Guatemala is the largest protected area in Central America. To reconcile forest conservation and socio-economic development, community forest concessions were created in its Multiple Use Zone (MUZ) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Operated by a community forest enterprise (CFE), and with a cycle of 25 years, the concessions grant usufruct rights to local communities on an area of about 400,000 ha. Currently, nine concessions are active, while the contracts of two concessions were cancelled and the management plan of another suspended.
Sustainable land management for improved livelihoods and environmental sustai...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
A healthy viable multifunctional landscape has the capability of supporting sustainable agricultural productivity, providing agroforestry and forest products (timber, fuel wood, fruits, medicine, fertilizer, gum etc.) for the sustenance of mankind while providing other environmental services. However these products are increasingly becoming unavailable due to declining soil fertility, climatic extremes, and high costs of inputs. Identifying low-cost, sustainable ways to attain food security and sustainable environment for millions of smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) remains a major developmental challenge.
Rangelands are more than just grass but rather complex and biodiverse ecosystems. Covering nearly half the world’s land area, they are in need of restoration and sustainable management.
The document discusses several projects aimed at improving agricultural outcomes through agroforestry. It describes a project in Uganda that introduced fodder shrubs to improve milk yields, which increased yields significantly. It is now scaling this approach in Kenya and Malawi through farmer cooperatives. Another project aims to better understand farmers' livelihood aspirations to customize technologies to their goals. A final project focuses on improving diets and health through diversifying crops and developing new food value chains. The document emphasizes the need for meaningful diagnosis, strong intervention design, credible evidence gathering, and efficient delivery to accelerate research impact on poverty, food insecurity, and environmental issues.
1) The document discusses watershed development projects in India, focusing on the state of Uttar Pradesh. It outlines the history and increasing scale of watershed programs in India over time from the 1960s to present.
2) Key data presented includes groundwater usage increasing dramatically from 25 km3 in 1960 to 250-300 km3 in 2009, and the number of bore wells increasing from 1 million to 20 million over the same period. Watershed programs have led to increased benefit-cost ratios, rates of return, and agricultural incomes.
3) The document then focuses on the Doubling Farmers' Income project targeting watershed interventions across several districts in Bundelkhand region of UP. It outlines strategies
NRM Innovations for Risk Management and Agricultural Transformation in Semiar...World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
This document summarizes natural resource management innovations in semi-arid East African highlands. It discusses (1) managing extreme events like drought and flood to ensure sustainable ecosystem services and support livelihoods, (2) increasing and sustaining agricultural productivity through investments in NRM, and (3) two examples of NRM innovations - community-based watershed management in Ethiopia and using water spreading weirs to build resilience to climate risks in Ethiopia through a partnership between GIZ, ICRISAT, and local universities. The document also discusses the impacts of these innovations, including increased food security, higher crop yields, and institutional impacts like the site becoming a learning center that influenced regional soil and water conservation policies.
This document discusses land restoration efforts in Niger. It describes the land degradation issues facing the West Africa Sahel region due to fragile ecosystems and unsustainable agricultural practices. Various integrated land management techniques are being implemented and tested, including Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), cereal/legume intercropping, microdosing of fertilizers, and restoring degraded lands. These techniques are improving soil fertility and crop yields when combined. The document outlines several partnerships working to scale these efforts across Niger, including restoring over 175 hectares of degraded land managed by 11,970 women generating more income. There is growing demand from farmers and partners to expand training and testing of integrated packages to improve livelihoods and food security.
Company Valuation webinar series - Tuesday, 4 June 2024FelixPerez547899
This session provided an update as to the latest valuation data in the UK and then delved into a discussion on the upcoming election and the impacts on valuation. We finished, as always with a Q&A
Navigating the world of forex trading can be challenging, especially for beginners. To help you make an informed decision, we have comprehensively compared the best forex brokers in India for 2024. This article, reviewed by Top Forex Brokers Review, will cover featured award winners, the best forex brokers, featured offers, the best copy trading platforms, the best forex brokers for beginners, the best MetaTrader brokers, and recently updated reviews. We will focus on FP Markets, Black Bull, EightCap, IC Markets, and Octa.
Best practices for project execution and deliveryCLIVE MINCHIN
A select set of project management best practices to keep your project on-track, on-cost and aligned to scope. Many firms have don't have the necessary skills, diligence, methods and oversight of their projects; this leads to slippage, higher costs and longer timeframes. Often firms have a history of projects that simply failed to move the needle. These best practices will help your firm avoid these pitfalls but they require fortitude to apply.
Building Your Employer Brand with Social MediaLuanWise
Presented at The Global HR Summit, 6th June 2024
In this keynote, Luan Wise will provide invaluable insights to elevate your employer brand on social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. You'll learn how compelling content can authentically showcase your company culture, values, and employee experiences to support your talent acquisition and retention objectives. Additionally, you'll understand the power of employee advocacy to amplify reach and engagement – helping to position your organization as an employer of choice in today's competitive talent landscape.
IMPACT Silver is a pure silver zinc producer with over $260 million in revenue since 2008 and a large 100% owned 210km Mexico land package - 2024 catalysts includes new 14% grade zinc Plomosas mine and 20,000m of fully funded exploration drilling.
Zodiac Signs and Food Preferences_ What Your Sign Says About Your Tastemy Pandit
Know what your zodiac sign says about your taste in food! Explore how the 12 zodiac signs influence your culinary preferences with insights from MyPandit. Dive into astrology and flavors!
Discover timeless style with the 2022 Vintage Roman Numerals Men's Ring. Crafted from premium stainless steel, this 6mm wide ring embodies elegance and durability. Perfect as a gift, it seamlessly blends classic Roman numeral detailing with modern sophistication, making it an ideal accessory for any occasion.
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B2B payments are rapidly changing. Find out the 5 key questions you need to be asking yourself to be sure you are mastering B2B payments today. Learn more at www.BlueSnap.com.
Event Report - SAP Sapphire 2024 Orlando - lots of innovation and old challengesHolger Mueller
Holger Mueller of Constellation Research shares his key takeaways from SAP's Sapphire confernece, held in Orlando, June 3rd till 5th 2024, in the Orange Convention Center.
At Techbox Square, in Singapore, we're not just creative web designers and developers, we're the driving force behind your brand identity. Contact us today.
Recruiting in the Digital Age: A Social Media MasterclassLuanWise
In this masterclass, presented at the Global HR Summit on 5th June 2024, Luan Wise explored the essential features of social media platforms that support talent acquisition, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.
The Evolution and Impact of OTT Platforms: A Deep Dive into the Future of Ent...ABHILASH DUTTA
This presentation provides a thorough examination of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, focusing on their development and substantial influence on the entertainment industry, with a particular emphasis on the Indian market.We begin with an introduction to OTT platforms, defining them as streaming services that deliver content directly over the internet, bypassing traditional broadcast channels. These platforms offer a variety of content, including movies, TV shows, and original productions, allowing users to access content on-demand across multiple devices.The historical context covers the early days of streaming, starting with Netflix's inception in 1997 as a DVD rental service and its transition to streaming in 2007. The presentation also highlights India's television journey, from the launch of Doordarshan in 1959 to the introduction of Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television in 2000, which expanded viewing choices and set the stage for the rise of OTT platforms like Big Flix, Ditto TV, Sony LIV, Hotstar, and Netflix. The business models of OTT platforms are explored in detail. Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) models, exemplified by Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, offer unlimited content access for a monthly fee. Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD) models, like iTunes and Sky Box Office, allow users to pay for individual pieces of content. Advertising-Based Video on Demand (AVOD) models, such as YouTube and Facebook Watch, provide free content supported by advertisements. Hybrid models combine elements of SVOD and AVOD, offering flexibility to cater to diverse audience preferences.
Content acquisition strategies are also discussed, highlighting the dual approach of purchasing broadcasting rights for existing films and TV shows and investing in original content production. This section underscores the importance of a robust content library in attracting and retaining subscribers.The presentation addresses the challenges faced by OTT platforms, including the unpredictability of content acquisition and audience preferences. It emphasizes the difficulty of balancing content investment with returns in a competitive market, the high costs associated with marketing, and the need for continuous innovation and adaptation to stay relevant.
The impact of OTT platforms on the Bollywood film industry is significant. The competition for viewers has led to a decrease in cinema ticket sales, affecting the revenue of Bollywood films that traditionally rely on theatrical releases. Additionally, OTT platforms now pay less for film rights due to the uncertain success of films in cinemas.
Looking ahead, the future of OTT in India appears promising. The market is expected to grow by 20% annually, reaching a value of ₹1200 billion by the end of the decade. The increasing availability of affordable smartphones and internet access will drive this growth, making OTT platforms a primary source of entertainment for many viewers.
LA HUG - Video Testimonials with Chynna Morgan - June 2024Lital Barkan
Have you ever heard that user-generated content or video testimonials can take your brand to the next level? We will explore how you can effectively use video testimonials to leverage and boost your sales, content strategy, and increase your CRM data.🤯
We will dig deeper into:
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3. How you can capture more CRM data to understand your audience better through video testimonials. 📊
3. Food Policy
• Influences the set of
relationships and
activities that interact to
determine what, how
much, by what method
and for whom food is
produced, distributed and
consumed
Revised from OECD, Food Policy, 1981
4. ‘The food crisis of the past two years has
drawn attention dramatically to both the
interdependence of production, trade,
stocks and prices and the serious
unpreparedness of the world as a whole
to meet the vagaries of the weather.’
5. Déjà vu in 2008 -2020/30/50?
‘The food crisis of the past two years has
drawn attention dramatically to both the
interdependence of production, trade,
stocks and prices and the serious
unpreparedness of the world as a whole
to meet the vagaries of the weather.’
Assessment of the World Food Situation Present and Future, prepared for
the UN World Food Conference, Rome, November 1974, Quoted in
Food Policy, Vol 1, No1, November 1975, p2
6. Food security focus in 1970s
‘The concept of food security is broad
and complex but its cornerstone is a
system of grain reserves that will
protect the world against the effects of
violent fluctuations in food production
and food prices.’
‘Food security – not yet’, Comment,
Food Policy, Vol 1, No 4, August 1976, p270
7. Food security - FAO 1996
• A situation that exists
when all people, at all
times, have physical,
• Accessibility
social and economic
access to sufficient, safe • Availability
and nutritious food that
meets their dietary
needs and food • Affordability
preferences for an
active and healthy life
Absence of fear
8. Food security as
genuinely sustainable food systems:
• where the core goal is to feed everyone
sustainably, equitably and healthily;
• which addresses needs for
availability,affordability and accessibility;
• which is diverse, ecologically-sound and
resilient;
• which builds the capabilities and skills
necessary for future generations.
Sustainable Development Commission
9. And beyond to food sovereignty:
‘the right of peoples to healthy and
culturally appropriate food produced
through ecologically sound and
sustainable methods, and their right to
define their own food and agriculture
systems.’ (Declaration of Nyéléni, 2007)
10. A dysfunctional system
• 925 million undernourished in 2010, down from 1bn
• 2 billion micronutrient deficient
• About 1.6 billion overweight - 300 million obese
• Affects poor most, N & S
– US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food
Stamps) - $37.7bn, 2008(prov)
• 2.5bn people in agriculture (1.3bn smallholders)
– 75% of poor (<$2/day) in rural areas
– Women most badly affected but also major food
producers
Sources: FAO, USDA, WHO & World Bank
11. Global wealth distribution, 2000
• 10% of adults own 86% global
household wealth
• 50% own barely 1%
• Average person in top 10% owns
nearly 3000 times wealth of
average person in bottom 10%
Source: WIDER Angle, 2/2006
12. Today’s context
- the real threats to our world
• Climate change
• Competition over resources
• Marginalisation of the majority world
– Inequality increased in most countries
• Global militarisation
– BTWC, dual use & bio-weapons
Sources: Abbott, Rogers and Sloboda, Oxford Research Group; Richard Jolly; Malcolm Dando
13. Alternative futures, differing visions
• Collapse (still a real danger: eg economic, nuclear
war, disease, environmental disasters)
• techno-dominance / corporate feudalism
– Bifurcation (rich 2 billion use all tech available to enhance /
maintain their lifestyles, rest contained by technologies of control
or killed off in disasters - the “Liddism” of Paul Rogers)
• ecological balance / diverse / equitable
Source: Abbott, Rogers and Sloboda, Oxford Research Group
14. Food system basics
• Biological - ecological
• History - global restructuring
• Human needs - multi-dimensional
– physiological
– psychological
– social
– cultural
18. Key trends
• Economic Concentration
• Global markets
• Control
• Geo-political shifts
Revised, Food Policy, OECD, 1981
19. Tools for control
• Political, military & economic power
– Historically shaped today’s system
• Science
• Technology
• Information
• Management
• Laws, rules, regulations
– From national to regional to global
20. 1990s - global food rules change
• Convention on Biological Diversity (UN)
– Conserve, sustain, share benefits
– Traditional & indigenous knowledge
• International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture (UN)
– Farmers’ Rights, IPRs, sharing benefits, managed
commons
• World Trade Organisation
– Trade liberalisation, agriculture, TRIPS, SPS
22. Importance of Intellectual
Property
• Underpins
– ‘knowledge economy’
– media & entertainment, software
– pharmaceuticals / biotechnology
– brand power
• Means to
– Exclude others, capture and appropriate
benefits
23. Reality
• monopoly (or exclusionary) privileges
given for societal benefits
• BUT embedded in WTO / hard law
• Patents regime facilitates form of
private taxation (Peter Drahos)
24. Costs of granting these privileges
• Shift market power • Facilitate anti-
• Higher consumer competitive
prices practices
– cross-licensing
• Increase cost of
– tie-in sales
knowledge
– buy-up patents
acquisition – threaten law suits
25.
26. Changing face of research and
development
• Access to knowledge
• Freedom to operate
• Skewing questions asked, solutions
sought
• Going the wrong way?
– Open access, distributed innovation,
ecologically supportive or the pharma model
27. What kind of innovation do we
need to secure our future food?
• institutional / political / social /
economic / legal
• not just technological / production
– What kind of innovation do we induce?
• Sustainable production, sustainable
and equitable consumption
28. Excess innovation?
We are in our current fix because of an
excess of financial innovation, driven
by ever-increasing thirst for short-term
profit.
…. We now need to rewrite the rules of
finance and global business.
Angel Gurría,
OECD Secretary General,
27 January 2009,
29. Beyond current assumptions
• In the future will we in Europe be able
to eat / consume what we want, when
we want, from wherever we want?
• Should we be able to?
31. Three systemic crises
• Systemic multiple crises
– finance/real economy, energy/climate,
ecosystem/biodiversity, social
• Trust crisis
– exposure of concealed debts (including
ecological debt which is not even recorded
in accounting books)
• Governance crisis
– responses are a series of untested rescue
packages and trial and error solutions
Earthwatch lecture, Oxford, 16 Feb 2009,
Prof Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director
32. Common features of these
3 systemic crises
• Making money from money
• Over consumption
• Capital destruction
Earthwatch lecture, Oxford, 16 Feb 2009,
Prof Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director
33. Common features of all three
• Capital Destroyed
– Financial
– Human
– Social
– Natural
• Risks/debts passed on to current and
future ‘others’
Earthwatch lecture, Oxford, 16 Feb 2009,
Prof Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director
34. Common features of financial,
climate,natural resources crises
Market prices cover all costs? No
Market prices reflect real risks? No
Transparent transactions No
Accounting for what matters? No
Early warnings heeded No
Robust and sustainable systems No
Earthwatch lecture, Oxford, 16 Feb 2009,
Prof Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director
35. Thinking about systems
and how to change them
See: Donella H. Meadows, Thinking in
Systems - A Primer, Earthscan, 2009
36. Leverage points
• Rules, incentives, punishments, constraints
– Who has power over them
• Self organisation - power to add, change, evolve
system structure
– Diversity, variability, experimentation
• Losing control
• Goals - purpose or function of system
– Core issue, who can change
• Paradigm - mind set
– Shifting changes rest
37. Changing Paradigms
• A new ecological economics
– SDC - prosperity without growth in N,
different growth in S
– NEF - The Great Transition
– Worldwatch - Transforming Cultures
– Sarkozy Commission - beyond GDP / GNP
– And many more
38. Changing paradigms &
practices
• To agro-ecological farming
from industrial, fossil fuel
based model
– IAASTD
– Millennium Ecosystem Assess
– National Academy of Sciences
• Beyond reductionist R&D
– Understanding complexity QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
– ecosystems approaches
39. Agro-ecology
• Achieving natural ecosystem-like
characteristics while maintaining harvest
output (Gleissman)
• considers interactions of all important
biophysical, technical and socioeconomic
components of farming systems (Altieri)
40. Innovation in agricultural
research
• Anticipatory
– Immediate & future ecological and social impacts
• Promote long-term systems-level research at multiple
scales
• Better integrate natural and social sciences
• Integrate scientific innovations with traditional
knowledge and local innovations
• Use sustainability analysis as guiding principle
Source: Gliessman, Agroecology; Yiching Song
41. Innovation in agricultural
education
• Interdisciplinary curricula
– Integrate complex elements of food systems
– Include goals of food security and equity
• Change emphasis
– From maximising single crop production to maintaining
complex food systems
• Include experiential learning in farming communities
Source: Gliessman, Agroecology
42. Why R&D fails small farmers
• too technocratic
– failed to take account of the political and economic conditions
in which such farmers found themselves
• way such R&D is conceived
– arrogant and contemptuous attitudes among ‘experts’
• opposition from commercial entities
– to R&D that farmers could easily copy or breed from and which
reduced the market for their products.
• reductionist approach to science
– simplistic focus of R&D on specific disciplinary aspects, linked
to the input-output industrial approach
Source:Jonathan Harwood, Centre for the History of Science,
Technology & Medicine, Univ Manchester
43. Shifting power in interdependent
relationships
• Social, economic, geo-political, commercial,
gender
• Land - access and use - what is land for?
• Property - real vs imaginary
– The rise of IP, insecurity of poor producers
• Food Sovereignty / democracy movements /
Transition towns etc
44. Rewriting rules, laws, incentives
• Linking nutritional well-being to farming
– Sustainable production, sustainable and
healthy consumption
– Marketing and advertising controls
– Waste avoidance and minimisation
• Governance systems
– Multilateral, national & local
• CFS vs Global Partnership
– Commodity trading - food not a speculative
asset class; neither is agriculture / soil carbon
– Stocks - grain reserves
45. Rewriting rules, laws, incentives
• On the framework for the actors
– R&D
• Plant Variety Protection (UPOV), patents & seed laws
– Permit farmers varieties, non-uniformity, new ABS, restrict
patents
– Private actors - corporations etc
• Corporate law, shareholder requirements; not treat
as human persons, not got human rights
• Oligopolies, Anti-trust, competition rules
• Liability & redress
– curb reckless innovations, reframe limited liability
– Rights to Food / Health etc
• from soft to hard law, with enforcement?
46. Ethical principles -
www.foodethicscouncil.org
• Wellbeing
– do no harm (nonmaleficence)
– do good /effect cure (beneficience)
• Autonomy
– choice, freedom of action
• Justice
– Fairness, equity