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1028. International Day of Potato
May 30 is designated as the International Day of Potato, which provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on potatoes.
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1027. Recent Lower Food Prices amid Improved Supplies
In a blog post on May 24, World Bank economists noted that the recent decline in food prices is due to an improved outlook for global food supply.
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1026. Factors Contributing to Extreme Floods in East Africa
On May 23, the World Weather Attribution (WWA), which analyzes the causal relationship between extreme events and climate change, issued a preliminary analysis. According to their findings, the recent heavy rains that affected East Africa were more likely caused by climate change than the effects of El Niño. They also warned that poor urban planning could increase vulnerability to flood damage as climate change is expected to intensify extreme rains.
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1025. Integration of Scientific Cultures in the Development of a Predictive Science of the Biosphere
The biosphere has an extremely complex structure because biological processes span a wide range of spatio-temporal scales. A paper published in PNAS argues that the integration of scientific cultures that transcends interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for constructing a predictive science of the biosphere.
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1024. Recipe for a Livable Planet
The agri-food systems are estimated to account for one-third of the global share of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The World Bank's new report, "Recipe for a Livable Planet," states that significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can help build food security and climate resilience, and protect vulnerable populations through feasible actions that improve soil, ecosystems, and human health while feeding the world's growing population.
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1023. From Food Systems Summits to Systemic Change
The UN has recently released the Secretary-General's report outlining the progress made since the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2). The report emphasizes the need to accelerate food system transformation and calls for action to achieve the goals for the next stocktaking moment scheduled in 2025.
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1022. International Day for Biological Diversity
The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated every May 22nd, offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the loss of biodiversity and the problems associated with it. The theme for 2024 is “Be part of the Plan," calling on all stakeholders to take action towards achieving the new global biodiversity goals by 2030.
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1021. Climate Change Making Heat Waves in Asia More Extreme
On May 14, World Weather Attribution (WWA), which analyzes the causal relationships between extreme events and climate change, reported that climate change made the heat waves that hit millions of people from April to early May across Asia more extreme.
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1020. Pollinators, Food Security, and Ecosystem Conservation
May 20 is World Bee Day. Pollinators such as honeybees not only directly contribute to food security, but also play a central role in maintaining biodiversity.
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1019. Africa’s Greenhouse Gases Budget
An analysis of the estimation of the greenhouse gases budget in Africa has been published in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles. The paper suggested that during the 2010-2019 period, Africa was a net source of greenhouse gas emissions (mostly carbon neutral), with its carbon storage capacity decreasing over years.
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1018. Low Water Levels in the Panama Canal Caused by El Niño
World Weather Attribution, which analyzes the causal relationship between extreme events and climate change, cites El Niño as a factor that influenced the loss of water in the Panama Canal. El Niño is also reported to be a major contributor to recent major floodings in southern Brazil and East Africa, while NOAA has forecasted that El Niño may end in June, followed by the La Niña phenomenon.
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1017. Global Temperatures in April 2024
According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, April 2024 was the hottest April on record, marking the 11th consecutive month with the highest recorded monthly temperature.
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1016. Scientists Who Have Contributed to the Conservation of Crop Genetic Resource Diversity to Receive the 2024 World Food Prize
Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin and Dr. Cary Fowler will receive the 2024 World Food Prize in recognition of their contributions to the conservation of crop diversity and genetic resources, which are critical to global food security.
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1015. Food as Medicine
Today, we're going to share with you an article published in the journal Nature Medicine (Venkatesan 2024) that shows how changing your diet can benefit your health.
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1014. International Day of Plant Health 2024
The theme for International Day of Plant Health 2024 is plant health, safe trade and digital technology. Let's raise awareness and take action to keep plants healthy and ensure safe trade to create sustainable economies and livelihoods.
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1013. The Bolivia Symposium—The Charms of Salar de Uyuni, Quinoa, and Llamas
JIRCAS is pleased to announce the joint symposium with the Embassy of Bolivia in Japan, titled "The Bolivia Symposium—The Charms of Salar de Uyuni, Quinoa, and Llamas", to be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Tokyo Headquarters Annex.
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1012. Global Food Price Trends for April 2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released its global food price trends on May 3. The average value in April 2024 was 119.1 points, up 0.3 points (0.3%) from the previous month, reflecting an increase in meat prices and a slight increase in the price indicators of vegetable oil and cereals. It was an increase that reversed a seven-month downward trend following April, but it was only 9.6 points (7.4%) lower than the previous year.
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1011. The Potential of Climate-Resilient Traditional Food Crops in Sub-Saharan Africa
As climate change progresses, the productivity of staple food crops in Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to be significantly affected. A paper by World Vegetable Center researchers that recently won PNAS's 2023 Cozzarelli Prize shows the climate-resilient potential of Neglected and Underutilised Plant Species (NUS) in sub-Saharan Africa.
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1010. 2024 Global Report on Food Crises
The 2024 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC 2024) has been released, highlighting the formidable challenges that stand in the way of achieving the goal of eradicating hunger by 2030.
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1009. Rethinking ‘Net Zero’ for Realizing Climate Targets
While many countries, municipalities, and companies have pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, "net zero" has been a success as a phrase and as a promise. An opinion piece published in the journal PNAS in late April noted that while the "net zero" goal has become a beacon of hope, more comprehensive climate mitigation efforts should be embraced.