Global Warming Reduces Expected Yields of Harvests in Some Countries

Global Warming Reduces Expected Yields of Harvests in Some Countries, Study Says

By JUSTIN GILLIS

Published: May 5, 2011

Global warming is already cutting substantially into potential crop yields in some countries — to such an extent that it may be a factor in the food price increases that have caused worldwide stress in recent years, researchers suggest in a new study

Wheat yields in recent years were down by more than 10 percent in Russia and by a few percentage points each in India, France and China compared with what they probably would have been without rising temperatures, according to the study.

Corn yields were off a few percentage points in China, Brazil and France from what would have been expected, said the researchers, whose findings were published in Friday’s issue of the journal Science.

Some countries saw small gains from the temperature increases, however. And in all countries, the extra carbon dioxide that humans are pumping into the air acted as a fertilizer that encouraged plant growth, offsetting some of the losses from rising temperatures caused by that same greenhouse gas.

Consequently, the study’s authors found that when the gains in some countries were weighed against the losses in others, the overall global effect of climate change has been small so far: losses of a few percentage points for wheat and corn from what they would have been without climate change. The overall impact on production of rice and soybeans was negligible, with gains in some regions entirely offsetting losses in others.

But the authors of the study — David Lobell and Justin Costa-Roberts of Stanford University, and Wolfram Schlenker of Columbia University — pointed out that temperature increases were expected to accelerate in coming decades, making it likely that the challenges to food production will grow in an era when demand is expected to rise sharply.

Over the period covered by the study, 1980 to 2008, temperatures increased briskly in many of the world’s important agricultural regions. A notable exception was the United States: for reasons climate scientists do not fully understand, temperatures in the Midwestern corn and soybean belt during the summer crop-growing season have not increased in recent decades.

“One way to think of it is that we got a pass on the first round of global warming,” Dr. Lobell said.

However, the study found that in virtually all of Europe, large parts of Asia and some parts of Africa and South America, temperatures during the growing season have warmed by an average of several degrees since 1980, increasing the likelihood of extremely hot summer days. The study also looked at rainfall, but changes were relatively minor compared with the temperature increases.

Plants are known to be sensitive to high temperatures, especially if the hot days occur when they are flowering. “In many of these countries, a typical year now is like a very warm year back in 1980,” Dr. Lobell said.

Wheat, rice, corn and soybeans account for the majority of calories consumed by the human race, either directly or as meat from animals raised on grains. Because demand for these grains is inflexible and rising, the losses from climate change probably accounted for price increases of about 6 percent in the four major commodities, the study’s authors found.

At today’s grain prices, that calculation implies that climate change is costing consumers, food companies and livestock producers about $60 billion a year.

“We aren’t talking about the sky falling,” Dr. Lobell said. “But we are talking about billions of dollars of losses. Every little bit of production is valuable when we’re trying to feed the world.”

If the price estimate is correct, it makes climate change a small contributor to a large trend. The prices of many foodstuffs have doubled or tripled in recent years as a result of a host of factors, including rapidly rising food demand in Asia, government mandates to use crops for biofuel production and extreme weather that may or may not be linked to climate change.

The authors of the new study specifically excluded the effects of extreme weather like brief heat waves and flash floods because of limitations in the data that they used. For that and other reasons, Dr. Lobell said, the study’s estimate of the impact of climate change is probably conservative.

Source :-http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/science/earth/06warming.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

http://cdrn.org.in/show.detail.asp?id=21733

Preparedness & Response for Emergencies at Times of Natural Disaster

Preparedness & Response for Emergencies at Times of Natural Disaster, Patna, Bihar - India

Under the Auspices of

An Initiative of Supported By

&

Workshop Partners

Venue: Hotel Chanakya Bir Chand Patel Marg, Patna – 800001, Bihar

Training Dates: 28th April, 2011

Duration: 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M

Context

India as a country is highly prone to many disasters like drought, flash floods, cyclones, avalanches, earthquakes etc which lead to massive losses of life and property. Floods are the most common natural disaster in India. Almost all of India is flood-prone, and extreme precipitation events, such as flash floods and torrential rains, have become increasingly common in central India over the past several decades, coinciding with rising temperatures. Similarly many other disasters like cyclones, earthquakes and droughts have caused us enormous destruction and created human destruction in the past.

Though it is not possible to completely avoid the natural disasters, but the sufferings can be minimized if we all start learning how to live with it. Creating proper awareness of the likely disasters and its impact by being prepared, effectively using the available disaster preparedness and management system, effective collaboration between state authorities and the humanitarian community and integrating information technology tools can actually make a difference and fill the operational gap that exists. All these efforts could only be effective if taken at the national level, state level and ultimately to the community level who are the immediate responders.

Like any other disaster prone states, Bihar which is a multi disaster prone state often encounters several natural disasters like floods, earthquake & draught. 23 districts out of 38 administrative districts face floods every year as per the Indian Red Cross, Bihar State Branch – Patna. We cannot rule out major earthquakes too in the coming future as the 2008 Kosi flood has built up immense sediments in the north Bihar plain which may trigger earthquake anytime. The extent of the natural disasters or the loss could be lessened only when the stakeholders and the government collectively create the awareness of the prevention & coping mechanisms and system available to respond to such disasters.

Objectives

The principle objectives of the workshops are

· To discuss and share experiences on local responsibilities and expectations

· To enhance capacity of district, commune level disaster management authorities on Planning for Preparedness and Emergency Management and in forming Community Emergency Task Force

· To prepare the participants for the operational complexities of humanitarian aid such that they are able to contribute as effectively as possible to field response.

· To introduce the Corporate Disaster Resource Network, CDRN (www.cdrn.org.in) to NGOs, Donors, Suppliers and government bodies and familiarise participants with its application during disasters and also for providing real time information of needs to potential suppliers and donors for prepositioning needs before disasters.

· To create platform for exchange of ideas and sharing experiences on Disaster Supply Chain Management.

· Inventory management of disaster supplies and equipments for times of emergency

By the end of the training participants should be:

· Well equipped with the available response system to any disasters

· Empowered with the skills and tools for emergency response and mobilisation of resources and aids required at times of disaster response.

· Empowered to form and institutionalise the Community Emergency Task Force in partnership with the local government, existing DRR bodies etc

· Able to use CDRN during disasters to post their needs/requirements in terms of both human resource and products required for relief as well as rehabilitation phase.

· Able to use CDRN before disasters to pre position their requirements for skilled volunteers and products required.

· Able to effectively use CDRN technology to coordinate with the private sector companies for needs fulfilment.

· Certification of participants’ by NDMA, CSO Partners & CDRN.

Methodology

The training consists of structured learning exercises, case-studies and mock drills. We favour a participatory approach and interaction among participants and organisers. Organisers and participants share experiences, best practices and lessons learned to enhance learning opportunities in Preparedness and Emergency Management and also to favour the continuous improvement and development of the Corporate Disaster Resource Network (CDRN) technology to deliver the services effectively and timely.

The following approaches will be used:

· Case Studies

· Experience Sharing

· Mock Drills

· Presentations

· Interactive sessions

Contents

1. Inaugural: - Facts about states specific natural disasters by experts

2. Case Studies on Preparedness, Emergency Management & Response by State Government / Community Based Organisation

3. Case Studies by Corporate Partners – On their role in preparedness & relief / humanitarian relief

4. Community Emergency Task Force: Responsibilities and Expectations

5. Demonstration of the system: - Corporate Disaster Resource Network System as a Supply Chain Management Tool for times of disasters

6. Practical Session for NGOs operating the CDRN system

7. Feedback Session on the CDRN system

8. Distribution of training Kit (Includes manual, brochure etc)

Target Audience

INGOs / NGOs / CBOs / Government Bodies/ SDMA’s / Suppliers & Donors (50 in numbers)

Organisers

About NDMA

EMPOWERING STAKEHOLDERS FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), GOI is the Apex Body for Disaster Management in India. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), GOI is working to build a safer and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, pro-active, multi disaster and technology-driven strategy for disaster management through collective efforts of all Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations and companies. http://www.ndma.gov.in

ABOUT CSO PARTNERS

CSO Partners is a non-profit that is committed to mobilizing resources and providing appropriate support services for Civil Society Organizations. Through an extended base of consortium partners specialized in relevant services, CSO Partners develop appropriate program opportunities for various contributors who include government‚ corporate bodies and individuals to engage with civil society organization in a process of social change that benefits all stakeholders. It has established a support partners network in varied areas ranging from donor services‚ volunteering, social investment services‚ financial management‚ governance‚ documentation‚ advocacy and communications. http://www.csopartners.org

Aidmatrix Foundation India:-

Aidmatrix is a nonprofit organization which builds and operates powerful technology hubs that support diverse stakeholder groups in their efforts to work together to solve the world's most challenging humanitarian needs. More than 35,000 leading corporate, nonprofit and government partners leverage our solutions to mobilize more than $1.8 billion in aid annually, worldwide. The donated goods, money and services have impacted the lives of more than 65 million people. http://www.aidmatrix.org

Enquiries and Suggestions

If you have any queries on the participation, please contact Swati Pahuja or Angela Nar at:

Tele: 011- 46142948 / 65422890

Mob: 9899740585 /9810872748

E-mail: communications@cdrn.org.in

Participation form (Please use one form per workshop per person)

Name:

Designation:

Organization:

Department:

Website:

Official Address

Tel number: Mobile number:

Fax number:

Email:

How did you come to know about this Workshop?

What are your expectations form this Workshop? (We will inform the facilitator of your expectations before the event, so workshop objectives may be integrated with your needs)

*****************************************************

Program Agenda

0900 – 1000 Registration

1000 – 1045 Inaugural Session

Welcome Note: Chairperson of the workshop - Mr. Sanjay Pandey, IAG Convener

Chief Guest: Shri.J K Sinha Honourable Member – National Disaster Management Authority, (NDMA) GOI

Key Note Speaker: Sri Vyasji, I.A.S Principal Secretary – Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bihar

Special Address: Shri. Anil Kumar Sinha, Vice Chairman – Bihar State Disaster Management AuthorityBy Guest of Honour (BSDMA)

Presentation of Mementoes to the Inaugural Guests: By Ranju Anthony, Manager - Vestergaard Frandsen

1045 – 1100 Tea Break

1100 – 1120 Case Studies on Preparedness, Emergency Management & Responseby the State Government. Speaker - Sri Gagan, Officer on Special Duty, Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bihar

1120 – 1140 Corporate role in preparedness & relief / humanitarian relief

Speaker – Ranju Anthony, Manager - Vestergaard Frandsen

1140– 1200 Corporate – Civil Society Partnership for Disaster Management

Speaker - Mr. Soumitra Ghosh, CEO - CSO Partners

1200– 1220 ICICI Foundation

1220 – 1240 SCF

1240 – 0115 Case Study/Presentation from NDRF and Civil Defence

Speaker – Mr. Shivaji Singh, Senior Specialist – National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

Speaker – Col. J R Kaushik, Head – Civil Defence

0115 – 0130 Interactive Session

Chaired by Mr. Sanjay Pandey, IAG Convener

0130 – 0230 Lunch Break / Networking Opportunity

0230 - 0300 Demonstration on the Corporate Disaster Resource Network Technology - Supply Chain Management Tool for times of disasters for providing real time information of needs to potential suppliers and donors for pre-positioning needs before disasters and responding with the right aid at the right people at the right time

Speaker – Kuldip Nar, Managing Director Aidmatrix Foundation India/CSO Partners

0300 – 0315 Case Study – The Leh Flash Flood 2010 Experience

Speaker: Kuldip Nar, Managing Director Aidmatrix Foundation India/CSO Partners

0315 – 0330 Donor Experience on CDRN

Speaker: Vivek Prakash, CSR Coordinator – Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd.

0330 – 0350 NGOs role in Disaster Management (Kosi Flood 2008 Experience)

Speaker – Deepak Bharti, Secretary - Samajik Shaikshanik Vikas Kendra, SSVK

0350 – 0410 Tea Break

0410 - 0430 Community Emergency Task Force: Responsibilities and Expectations

(Participant’s driven and Call for Action)

Speaker: Mr. Sanjay Pandey, IAG Convener

0430 – 0445 Feedback & Interactive Session on CDRN

Chaired by Mr. Sanjay Pandey, IAG Convener

0445 – 0500 Felicitation & Vote of Thanks

Mr. Soumitra Ghosh, CEO - CSO Partners

http://cdrn.org.in/show.detail.asp?id=21671