Normative Challenges at Global Level in Context of Climate Change and Agricultural Productivity
摘要
Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes that can affect the sustainability of any country in addition to negative impact on farmers and farm communities across the globe. Agricultural production is impacted by the greenhouse effect and climate change caused by global warming in a variety of ways, including changes to rainfall patterns, average temperature patterns, heat and cold waves, etc. It also affects agriculture by changes in morphology of pests, pathogens and diseases. In spite of technological advances, viz., improved high yielding varieties (HYV Seeds), better equipment and irrigation systems, climate, and weather are also key factors in agricultural production. It is observed that since 1880, the average temperature of Earth surface has been increased by 0.8 °C. In 2008, a study published in the journal Science predicted that due to climate change, Southern Africa could face a reduction of more than 30% in maize crop that is the primary crop of the country by the year 2030. Similarly, South Asia is projected to experience up to a 10% decline in several regional staples, including rice, millet, and maize. Changing precipitation and temperature patterns are two key factors that have influence on the agricultural productivity. Rainfall patterns have already begun shifting and fluctuating across the world, and such changes are expected to intensify further in the coming years. The survival of insects or pests also increases due to change in local weather pattern that poses great threat to agriculture. Higher temperatures accelerate the reproduction of microbes and insects, hastening their development of resistance to control methods and medications. Climate change not only affects farming but also makes it worse, resulting in a vicious cycle. Two main factors contribute to climate change: greenhouse gas emissions from human activity and the conversion of natural ecosystems, such as forests, into agricultural land, which can result in environmental problems like droughts and floods. Changes in land use, forestry, and agriculture were shown to be responsible for 20–25% of yearly greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2010. According to the European Union’s Scientific Advice Mechanism, the food industry as a whole was responsible for 37% of global emissions, and estimates suggest that this percentage would rise by 30–40% by 2050 as a result of changes in dietary patterns and population growth.