Agriculture
Afghanistan at risk of hunger amid drought and Taliban takeover
As the Taliban seizes control of Afghanistan, experts warn severe drought could worsen the humanitarian crisis triggered by an exodus of western forces
Global warming to shrink US harvests, say scientists
Rising temperatures will lead to massive crop losses in the US, which will increase prices and cause problems for developing countries, says international study
Africa flying blind as continent tips into climate crisis
With too little data to inform local climate science, African countries lack a fundamental tool to plan long term adaptation strategies
Uruguay pushes 100% renewables, just don’t mention the cows
NEWS: South America’s clean energy poster child is skewering its fossil fuel use, but reducing emissions from its meat industry is tough
Time for farming to be taken seriously at UN climate talks?
COMMENT: Agriculture is linked to 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s not receiving attention from governments
Kill the cheeseburgers to stop global warming – report
NEWS: Scientists say public must stop eating so much meat and dairy produce, citing rising levels of carbon pollution from industry
Crop benefits of higher CO2 may fall short – IPCC
Extra CO2 in the atmosphere may produce larger yields of crops, they will be less nutritious, says UN science report
Scientists hint at negative impacts of climate change on farming
Forthcoming UN science study could reveal median crop yields may fall by up to 2% per decade for the rest of century
McDonald’s announces move towards sustainable beef
McDonald’s is aiming to green its meat supply, but does anyone know what ‘sustainable beef’ actually means?
Kenyan farmers warned climate change may impact crop yields
Report suggests changing rainfall patterns will make previously desolate areas fertile, but could also decimate country’s maize-friendly regions
Dung beetles reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cow pats
By drying out the dung, the beetles increase the availability of oxygen and reduce the amount of methane in the pats
Will climate change hit maize and wheat production?
Different models offer conflicting predictions on future crop yields, confusing scientists and the public alike
Skinny cows and climate change could cost farmers billions
A study predicts wild and domestic cattle will drastically reduce in weight as the climate warms − compromising food security and slashing farmer’s profits
Dig up your lawn & live somewhere hot to cut emissions
Garden lawns are more prolific carbon emitters than some farm crops, and keeping yourself warm uses much more energy than running an air conditioner
Climate resilient rice offers hope to Indian farmers
New method of growing rice has achieved significantly larger harvests while reducing the need for fertilisers and curbing emissions of greenhouse gases
Climate change promises tough future for US farmers
US farms could be devastated by climate change, says a study by the country’s Department of Agriculture
Colossal food waste hitting energy, land and water supplies
New report by Institute of Mechanical Engineers details how huge levels of vital commodities are squandered by humans
Natural disasters cost $160bn in 2012
Hurricane Sandy costliest single event but non-economic losses from agriculture could be felt long into 2013
China’s farmers key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Cutting the use of nitrogen as a fertiliser by half in China could significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions without affecting crop productivity, according to new research.
Mitigation and adaptation critical to guaranteeing food security
Ahead of the UN climate summit in Doha, two new studies highlight the impacts of climate change and the world’s food system on one another and their potential to impact our relationship with food.