Dev should keep pace with climate change'

Innovative practices in agriculture can minimise losses to human health, says US scientist

Devanshi Joshi

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Climate is a dynamic phenomenon and natural variables and human inducement lead to climate change. But human beings should adapt to climate change and look for development in a way that should help in minimising losses due to climate change.This was opined by Dr Shiv Someshwar, a research scientist and director of institutions and policy research, Asia-Pacific region, Columbia University. "Climate is not static but a completely dynamic phenomenon. Natural variables and human inducement lead to climate change but we should adapt to climate change and look for development in a way that should help in adjusting to climate-change losses," said Someshwar who was in the city on Wednesday.According to him, changes in average climate conditions affect different sectors of economy - water resources, agriculture, and human health. Many of the problems associated with future climate change are already characterised by problems faced by human beings.Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) has given the outline on agriculture, water resources and human health by adapting those climate-change losses, he said. "Water resources should be used at optimum level. Enhance conservation of freshwater supply as an option for extreme water-stress conditions. Flood protection system should be developed to manage the rivers.'' Appropriate measures for protection against soil erosion should be used. "Conserve groundwater supply, and make efficient water recourse system. Flood and drought control measures require improvement with the enhancement of flood warning and forecasting system,'' the scientist said.For agriculture sector, practices such as heat-resistant crops, water efficient cultivation with resistance to pests and diseases, soil conservation should be adopted. "Adjust cropping calendar and crop rotation. Develop and promote use of high-yielding varieties and sustainable technological applications.''Adaptation of suitable crops and cultivators and optimum use of fertilisers and adaptation of agro technologies would be helpful. "Shift from conventional crops to intensive greenhouse agriculture/aquaculture and protection against soil degradation should be helpful in productivity,'' the scientist said."Improved sanitation facilities and increase in infrastructure for waste disposal can decrease the adverse effect,'' the researcher said.