OIE examines links between animal production, climate change and emerging diseases

Posted on 5 Sep 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

The detection of links between animal production systems around the world, climate change and the epidemiological evolution of animal diseases was the focus of a meeting organised by the OIE with experts from several continents. “The experts confirmed that there are correlations between the various factors linking animal production systems, human influence on the environment, … Continue reading →

Agriculture / Animal Breeding / Animal Feeding / Climate Change / East Africa / ILRI / Namibia / Southern Africa

Climate change will have a great impact on Southern African livestock

Posted on 2 Sep 2010 by Susan MacMillan • Leave a comment

Cattle herd walks home along dry riverbed in Tete Province, Mozambique (photo: ILRI/Mann) ‘A researcher at the International Livestock Research Institute says climate change will have a great impact on Southern African livestock and coastal systems in future. ‘Mario Herrero says by 2050, [some] of Africa will have to revert to livestock farming from crop … Continue reading →

Africa / Animal Production / Climate Change / ILRI / Livestock Systems

Agriculture in Africa is changing rapidly

Posted on 2 Sep 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

WINDHOEK – “Agriculture in Africa is changing rapidly,” says Mario Herrero, a researcher working in Nairobi, Kenya for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Herrero was addressing participants in a session on livestock in a changing climate in Windhoek, Namibia, at the annual regional dialogue on food security. Herrero and his colleagues use scenario analysis … Continue reading →

Animal Production / Asia / Climate Change / India / Livestock / South Asia

Proper livestock management can reduce global warming – Narayan Hegde

Posted on 31 Aug 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

Livestock (cattle) the world over release about 18 per cent of carbon dioxide equivalent of methane through digestive and respiratory systems. Pune-based BAIF Development Research Foundation has published a concept paper taking note of this significant and dangerous contribution to global warming and how to cut down emission of methane by these animals using proper … Continue reading →

Africa / Climate Change / Environment / Food Security / Latin America / NRM / South Asia / WLE

UN role in fighting climate change, poverty and environmental degradation named for Australian former prime minister Kevin Rudd

Posted on 15 Aug 2010 by Susan MacMillan • Leave a comment

‘Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has been appointed to an unpaid part-time position on a “high-level” United Nations panel tackling global sustainability issues. ‘Mr Rudd last month confirmed he had been approached by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to become involved with the United Nations project. ‘The appointment would require Mr Rudd to attend three meetings … Continue reading →

Animal Production / Asia / Climate Change / Indonesia / Southeast Asia

Woeful climate threatens Indonesia’s livestock production

Posted on 9 Aug 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

Unpredictable changes in world climate and the global energy crisis have affected the production of livestock, according to an expert. “We used to have a year of half rain and half sunshine. Farmers had no difficulties in poultry provision,” Iman Hernawan, a poultry nutritionist from Padjadjaran University, said in Bandung on Wednesday. Read more … … Continue reading →

Africa / Agriculture / Cattle / Climate Change / Environment / Livestock

Adapting agriculture to climate change

Posted on 5 Aug 2010 by ILRI Communications • Leave a comment

Adapting agriculture to climate change should have twin purposes: adapting to prevent further damage to the environment, and adapting to produce food despite the impact of climate change. The increasing intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and draught have great impact on agriculture and, therefore, on the food supply. The uncertainties associated with climate change … Continue reading →

Climate Change / Environment

Veggieworld: Why eating greens won’t save the planet

Posted on 19 Jul 2010 by Dorine Adhoch • Leave a comment

If you’re a typical westerner, you ate nearly 100 kilograms of meat last year. This was almost certainly the costliest part of your diet, especially in environmental terms. The clamour for people to eat less meat to save the planet is growing ever louder. “Less meat = less heat”, proclaimed Paul McCartney in the run-up … Continue reading →

Africa / Climate Change / East Africa / Environment / Pastoralism

Urgent action needed for pastoralists to cope with climate change

Posted on 17 Jul 2010 by Peter Ballantyne (ILRI) • Leave a comment

rgent action is needed to help pastoralists cope with the rising impacts of climate change including strategies by governments to facilitate safe passage across borders in the Horn and East Africa region. This is among the key recommendations of a new report launched today by the United Nations (UN) and partners, members of the Security … Continue reading →

CGIAR / Climate Change / ILRI

Climate models paint bleak picture for east Africa-scientist

Posted on 13 Jul 2010 by Dorine Adhoch • Leave a comment

Climate change is expected to bring greater extremes in weather conditions, but climate models disagree about which problems – droughts, flooding, temperature increases – are most likely in much of northern, central and western Africa. In east Africa, however, the models largely agree: dry areas will suffer more prolonged droughts and wet areas will see … Continue reading →