Diverse wild species vital for healthy agricultural production
15 Oct, 2018
For too long, biodiversity on agricultural land has been undervalued or neglected. The diversity of crops and livestock, including their wild relatives, sustain production systems, provide nutrition and enable adaptation to climate change. For example, without a diverse range of pollinators – a vast array of insects and animals – crop production would decline quickly. UN Environment has been working with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other partners for 17 years on projects designed to support and mainstream agricultural biodiversity in agriculture production sectors.
https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/diverse-wild-species-vital-healthy-agricultural-production
‘Smart farmers’ reduced carbon emissions by 9%, says EPA
16 Oct, 2018
A growing number of Irish farmers want to participate in “Smart Farming” which aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Irish Farmers’ Association. The latest figures show farmers participating in the Smart Farming voluntary programme, run jointly by the organisations, are reducing emissions by 9 percent and saving an average of €7,170 a year.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/smart-farmers-reduced-carbon-emissions-by-9-epa-says-1.3665919
UNH aquaponic greenhouse to support sustainable agriculture
17 Oct, 2018
In an effort to support sustainable agriculture, the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire has opened a new aquaponic greenhouse facility that aims to provide a model for integrating land-based aquaculture systems with hydroponic plant production that can be used locally and regionally to increase sustainable food production.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20181017/unh-aquaponic-greenhouse-to-support-sustainable-agriculture
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Nearly all coastal Mediterranean UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by climate change: Study
18 Oct, 2018
Nearly all of the UNESCO World Heritage sites located in coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea are threatened by climate-driven rising seas and erosion, a new study says. According to the study published in the journal Nature Communications, 47 of the 49 historically and culturally significant sites that dot the rim of the Mediterranean Sea are in danger. All are located in the Mediterranean Low Elevation Coastal Zone and are no more than 33 feet above sea level.
https://weather.com/science/environment/news/2018-10-17-mediterranean-unesco-world-heritage-sites-threatened-rising-seas
India to be highly impacted by floods, droughts, global warming, heat waves, sea level rise: IPCC report
8 Oct, 2018
The IPCC climate change report makes it clear that the world will witness greater sea level rise, higher frequency of droughts and floods, and heatwaves and countries like India with large populations dependent on the agricultural and fishery sectors, would be highly impacted, an environmental think-tank said. The IPCC report makes it clear that the impact of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming is greater than what was anticipated earlier while the impacts at 2°C are “catastrophic” for the poor and for developing nations like India, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said.
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/india-to-be-highly-impacted-by-floods-droughts-global-warming-heatwaves-sea-level-rise-ipcc-report/1341721/
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DROUGHTS
UN allocates USD 34.6 million for drought-affected Afghans
17 Oct,
2018
The UN has allocated $34.6 million in emergency aid to support 2.2 million Afghans affected by a severe drought, it was announced. The fund will help seven national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 15 international NGOs and four UN agencies for distributing food and seeds, maintain primary health services, provide emergency shelter, safe drinking water, improve hygiene and sanitation, treat severe malnutrition and help farmers protect their livestock.
https://www.latestly.com/world/un-allocates-usd-34-6-million-for-drought-affected-afghans-441360.html
Utah among 7 states agreeing on plan to manage drought-stricken Colorado River system
11 Oct, 2018
Seven Southwestern U.S. states that depend on the overtaxed Colorado River have reached landmark agreements on how to manage the waterway amid an unprecedented drought, including a commitment by California to bear part of the burden before it is legally required to do so. The agreements create a collection of drought contingency plans designed to manage and minimize the effects of declining flows in Colorado and its tributaries.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2018/10/10/us-states-agree-plan/
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FLOODS
Heavy storms cause deadly floods in south-western France
15 Oct,
2018
At least 13 people have died after violent rainstorms turned rivers into raging torrents in south-west France, in the latest episode of wild weather in Europe, officials have said. Flash floods swamped a number of towns and villages around Carcassonne, leaving a trail of overturned cars, damaged roads and collapsed homes.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/15/heavy-storms-cause-deadly-floods-in-south-western-france
Raging floods destroy bridge over Texas river
16 Oct,
2018
Raging floodwaters have destroyed a bridge over a river in Central Texas. A video shows the bloated Llano River overrunning a bridge in Kingsland, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Austin. A flash flood warning is in effect, and forecasters describe it as a "very dangerous situation."
http://www.thecourierexpress.com/news/national_world/the-latest-raging-floods-destroy-bridge-over-texas-river/article_a3f8e48c-476e-5a16-82e1-acbd50d18d73.html
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FOOD SECURITY
Singapore tops global index for food security
18 Oct, 2018
Singapore is top in the world when it comes to ensuring that its citizens have access to safe and nutritious food at affordable prices in the short and long term. The Global Food Security Index released puts Singapore at No. 1, a jump of three places from last year. It is the first time it has topped the ranking since the index of 113 countries was started in 2012 by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-tops-global-index-for-food-security
21% Indian children are under-weight: Global Hunger Index
12 Oct, 2018
At least one in five Indian children under the age of five are wasted, which means they have extremely low weight for their height, reflecting acute under-nutrition, according to the Global Hunger Index 2018. The only country with a higher prevalence of child wasting is the war-torn nation of South Sudan, says the released report.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/21-of-indian-children-under-5-suffer-wasting-global-hunger-index/article25195277.ece
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IRRIGATION
Tamil Nadu allots Rs. 45.71 crore for ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme: India
17 Oct,
2018
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana -- Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) -- implemented jointly by the Centre and the State governments to improve water use efficiency by adopting micro-irrigation technologies, has more components for farmers this year. The state government has allocated Rs. 45.71 crore for this scheme for the current year (2018-19). Detailed guidelines have also been issued to help farmers in availing the subsidies under the scheme to be implemented in 30 districts.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/oct/17/tamil-nadu-allots-rs-4571-crore-for-per-drop-more-crop-scheme-1886594.html
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Dyson awards shortlist includes solutions to plastic waste and water pollution
18 Oct, 2018
Cutlery made from potato peelings and a robotic cleaner that can tackle pollution in rivers, lakes and canals are among the groundbreaking international designs shortlisted for the prestigious annual James Dyson award. Over half the world’s population currently live in cities, according to the United Nations – a proportion expected to rise to seven in 10 people by 2050 – and the projects share a common theme of aiming to redefine urban living through technology to create a more sustainable future.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/18/dyson-awards-shortlist-includes-solutions-to-plastic-waste-and-water-pollution
Polluted water leading cause of child mortality in Gaza, study finds
16 Oct, 2018
Illness caused by water pollution is a leading cause of child mortality in the Gaza Strip, says a study by the RAND Corporation. The study shows that water pollution accounts for more than a quarter of illnesses in Gaza and that more than 12 percent of child deaths up until four years ago was linked to gastrointestinal disorders due to water pollution. Since that time these numbers have continued to grow.
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium.MAGAZINE-polluted-water-a-leading-cause-of-gazan-child-mortality-says-rand-corp-study-1.6566812
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
5th International Symposium on Dam Safety, 27-31 October 2018, Istanbul, Turkey
Website: http://www.damsafety2018.com/
9th International Micro Irrigation Conference (9IMIC), 16-18 January 2019, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India on the theme: Micro Irrigation in Modern Agriculture.
Website: http://micro-irrigation2019.com/
International Dam Safety Conference 2019, 13-14 February 2019, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India
Website: www.damsafety.in/idsc2019
3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) and 70th International Executive Council Meeting, 1-7 September 2019, Bali, Indonesia on the theme: Development for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment.
Website: http://www.icid2019.org/
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LATEST PUBLICATION(S)
Water Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops 2018, published by NABARD
The study on Water Productivity Mapping of Major Indian Crops presents for the first time, maps on the water productivity of ten major Indian crops across cultivating districts and states. It builds on the expectation that if key decisions regarding irrigation, cropping patterns, input pricing, and incentive structures are predicated on water productivity of crops, it would ensure that water in agriculture is distributed more widely, water-use efficiency is enhanced, and Indian agriculture becomes more sustainable and productive in the long run. Thus, the study seeks to inform targeted policies and investment interventions for meeting the twin objectives of har khet ko pani (water to every field) and ‘more crop per drop’. The report will encourage policy makers to take note of and trigger an effective response to the looming water crisis faced by the agriculture sector in India. The book has been released as an Open Access and may be downloaded @ https://bit.ly/2Q6OU
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