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644. Green Asia International Scientific Advisory Committee
JIRCAS has launched the “Green Asia” project in FY2022 to promote the application of Japanese agriculture, forestry, and fisheries technologies in the Asia-Monsoon region, drawing on its many years of experience in international joint research in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Today, October 25, the first meeting of the The International Scientific Advisory Board for Strategy “MeaDRI", a committee that advises on the activities of the “Green Asia” project, will be held in Tokyo to actively exchange opinions on the project activities. The website of the International Center for Strategy “MeaDRI” is also now open.
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643. World Development Information Day
October 24 is World Development Information Day, one of the international days designated by the United Nations, with the aim of improving the dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people, that would lead to greater awareness of the problems of development and promoting efforts in international cooperation.
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642. Side-Event “Creating Sustainable Food Systems in Asia-Monsoon Region through Science and Innovation” Available for Viewing
The FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022 side-event “Creating Sustainable Food Systems in Asia-Monsoon Region through Science and Innovation” was held online on October 13, 2022. The seminar focused on the newly launched “Green Asia” project of JIRCAS which will provide a mechanism for networking among various stakeholders in the Asian Monsoon region.
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641. JIRCAS Holds Seminar on Resource-Recycling Agriculture in Ishigaki Island
JIRCAS will hold a seminar titled “Where is the Forefront of Agricultural Research to Promote Resource Recycling in Ishigaki Island?” on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, jointly hosted by Ishigaki City. In this seminar, we will focus on resource-recycling agriculture and will introduce research content for maintaining and improving the productivity of sugarcane and other major crops in Ishigaki Island, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact. This will be a hybrid seminar, with both on-site and online sessions. To join the online seminar for persons interested, please fill out the form on the registration page (in Japanese only) at the JIRCAS website (https://www.jircas.go.jp/ja/event/2022/e20221026).
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640. Climate Change Impacts on Drought in the Northern Hemisphere in Summer 2022
Extreme water shortages and heat waves were observed in Europe, North America and China in the summer of 2022. World Weather Attribution, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the causal relationship between extreme events and climate change, analyzed the probability of low surface and root zone soil moisture conditions such as those observed in the Northern Hemisphere during summer 2022, and suggested the impact of anthropogenic climate change.
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639. New Estimates of Micronutrient-deficient Populations
Micronutrient deficiency, also known as "hidden hunger, is a serious problem. A recently published article estimates that approximately 1 in 2 preschool-aged children and 2 in 3 non-pregnant women of reproductive age worldwide suffer from at least one type of micronutrient deficiency.
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638. Towards Empowerment of Rural Women in Food Production
The International Day of Rural Women last Saturday (October 15), followed by World Food Day yesterday (October 16), and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty today (October 17), were all established to raise awareness of issues related to the SDGs.
By improving the environment surrounding rural women, we can expect to contribute not only to solving poverty but also to sustainable development.
By improving the environment surrounding rural women, we can expect to contribute not only to solving poverty but also to sustainable development.
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637. Mushroom Day
Tomorrow, October 15, is "Mushroom Day" in Japan. A research project of JIRCAS aims to conserve forests in the Philippines and other tropical islands by increasing their value through the combined cultivation of non-wood forest products such as mushrooms, fruit trees, and valuable tree species in mountain areas where forests have been cut down and soil erosion has occurred.
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636. JIRCAS International Symposium 2022 Special Site is Now Open
The JIRCAS International Symposium, held every fall, has chosen this year's theme, “Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Sustainable Food Systems”, against the backdrop of discussions at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the 2022 International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. A special website for the symposium has now been launched and registration is now open.
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635. World Food Price Index for September 2022
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released on October 7 the global Food Price Index for September 2022, averaging 136.3 points, 1.1 percent lower than in August and the sixth consecutive month of decline since March, when the price hit an all-time high. Tomorrow, October 13, a side event of the FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022, "Creating Sustainable Food Systems in Asia Monsoon Region through Science and Innovation" will be held online. Registration is open until 5 pm today.
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634. Climate Change May Lead to the Collapse of Civilization
Climate change is feared to threaten the habitability of significant areas of the planet, and even the very existence of civilized societies, according to an opinion article published in PNAS by a scientist who calls for research into the possible collapse of civilized societies due to climate change.
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633. Recent Extreme Weather Events
Extreme typhoons and cyclones were reported in many parts of the globe. Typhoon No. 14 hit Japan in mid-September, Hurricane Ian hit Cuba and Florida at the end of September, and Typhoon Noru caused damage in the Philippines and Vietnam. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme events. In addition to expanding early warning systems, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures must be taken.
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632. For Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, Better Life
Ten days from now, on October 16, is World Food Day, established by the United Nations as a day to reflect on the world’s food problems. This year's theme is "Leave NO ONE Behind”. One week from now, on October 13, JIRCAS will hold an online symposium “Creating Sustainable Food Systems in the Asia Monsoon Region through Science and Innovation” as a side-event of the FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022.
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631. Responding to the Global Food Price Crisis
In Japan, many food price increases have been reported this October. Looking around the world, food and fertilizer prices are still at historically high levels due to climate shocks, armed conflicts and pandemics at the regional level, as well as the war in Ukraine, which has worsened production and distribution conditions. According to a note released by the IMF at the end of September, food and fertilizer price shocks have had the greatest impact on 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and West Asia, mainly due to additional import costs.
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630. Research on Global Dietary Quality
Knowing exactly what people around the world are eating is important, but not easy. In this issue, we present a paper (Miller et al. 2022) that comprehensively quantifies and evaluates the quality of diets around the world.
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629. Gaps in International Cooperation Could Delay Net Zero by Decades
The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions have released the Breakthrough Agenda Report 2022, highlighting the importance of strengthening international cooperation to drive faster reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions.
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628. One Earth: Research Priorities for Global Food Security Under Extreme Events
Today, heat waves, floods, droughts, pest outbreaks, financial crises, and military conflicts are all occurring simultaneously worldwide, threatening stable food production and supply. A paper in One Earth identified three research questions that should be prioritized over the next 20 years, including better maps and prediction of food system challenges, farm-level interventions to strengthen farmers' resilience and adaptive capacity, and food system transformation.
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627. International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
September 29 is the “International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste” as designated by the United Nations. Let's take action to reduce food loss for people and the planet.
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626. Biodiversity, Climate Change and Insects Flying into Urban Buildings
Changes in behavior patterns due to extreme weather can have a variety of consequences for the survival of many organisms, including insects. There is concern that climate change will affect the survival of organisms in unexpected places around the world, leading to loss of biodiversity. Today, I would like to consider climate change and biodiversity from the perspective of issues close to home in Tsukuba, where JIRCAS is located.
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625. Challenges of Food Systems Transitions
On September 21, heads of international organizations issued a joint statement in response to the global food security crisis for the second time since July, calling for comprehensive international coordination to support efficient production and trade, improve transparency, accelerate innovation, and invest in food systems transformation. In order to transform the food system for the health of the planet and humankind, it is first necessary to understand the current state of the food system. A paper published this month in Nature Food attempts to visualize the challenges by classifying the world's countries into food system typology.