Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, has warned that failure to tackle climate change could have catastrophic consequences for agricultural sector.
He said it is crucial for all stakeholders to collaborate and comprehend the intricacies of the climate change-food systems nexus in order to harness its potential benefits while effectively mitigating the impacts of climate change.
He added that developing solutions that tackle the challenges posed by climate change can serve as a crucial entry point for advancing the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, extending well beyond the current timeline of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The interplay between climate change and food systems has significant implications across all dimensions of sustainable development.
“Failing to take action and delaying efforts to address climate change can have catastrophic consequences for the food and agricultural sectors,” he said at the 2023 Environmental Sustainability Summit organised by B&FT.
Against the backdrop of a changing climate, the theme for this year’s summit, “Climate change and its impact on Food Systems and Sustainable Environment,” is highly pertinent and timely, he said.
Emphasising the pressing need for robust measures to establish sustainable food systems and protect the environment, Prof. Asare-Bediako added that by translating ideas into actionable policies, the country can foster a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.
“Addressing these challenges requires both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation involves the reduction and removal of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, while adaptation focuses on adjusting to current and anticipated climate conditions. This includes measures such as enhancing coastline protection, improving disaster management, implementing sustainable forest and agriculture practices including agroecology, and developing resilient crop varieties,” he said.
Climate change poses significant threats to human well-being, including food insecurity, water scarcity, flooding, infectious diseases, extreme heat, economic losses, and displacement. In recent years, the negative impacts of climate change on food systems have become increasingly evident.
