The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, a critical global milestone, is now halfway to its deadline. As part of this agenda, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is contributing to eight agriculture and food-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goals 1 (No poverty), 2 (Zero hunger), 5 (Gender equality), 6 (Clean water and sanitation), 10 (Reduced inequalities), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), 14 (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land). On September 15, FAO released its annual report, "Tracking progress on food and agriculture-related SDG indicators 2023," which assesses progress toward these goals.

According to the latest analysis of satellite data, Antarctic sea ice is expected to be 1 million square kilometers below the minimum record set in 1986, although the variability is extremely high. There is concern that Antarctica, which has been the Earth's "refrigerator," may become a "radiator" as it loses the cooling effect of ice.

The planetary boundary is a concept proposed by Dr. Rockstrom's group at the Stockholm Resilience Center in 2009. A recent article published on September 13 in Science Advances found that six of these nine planetary boundaries are in dangerous territory and calls for a systemic framework to address the anthropogenic impacts of human activities on the Earth.

On September 8, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) released a pivotal report assessing progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. The report was released ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC, which will take place in Dubai at the end of the year. The report unequivocally calls for stronger and faster action to combat climate change.

On September 8, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released its World Food Price Index.The August 2023 average was 121.4 points, down 2.6 points (2.1%) from the previous month, reversing last month's price increase and 38.3 points (24.0%) below the peak reached in March 2022.The decline was driven by lower prices for dairy, vegetable, and fruit products. This decline reflected decreases in the price indexes for dairy products, vegetable oil, meat, and cereals, while the price index for sugar increased moderately. Rice prices, on the other hand, showed an upward trend, increasing by 9.8% from the previous month.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has published an analysis of data showing that forest fires have increased in recent years. In boreal and subarctic coniferous forests, a "fire-climate feedback loop" has emerged, while in tropical forests, increased human activity in forest areas has exacerbated vulnerability to forest fires. In temperate and subtropical regions, climate change and land-use change have contributed to the recent increase in fires. There is an urgent need to halt deforestation and forest degradation and to enhance forest resilience according to local conditions.

Climate change poses a very serious threat to Africa, especially to fragile and conflict-affected countries. On August 30, the International Monetary Fund released a report stating that fragile states in Africa are the biggest victims of climate change, and warned of more catastrophic consequences if the international community does not help these countries adapt to extreme weather events.

Phosphorus, one of the three main plant nutrients, is closely linked to plant growth and yield. It is therefore essential to provide plants with sufficient phosphorus. However, many agricultural areas around the world are deficient in phosphorus, and in developing regions such as Africa, economic constraints make it difficult to purchase enough fertilizer. As a result, crops often suffer from chronic phosphorus deficiency. Through genetic analysis of two rice varieties with contrasting root shapes, JIRCAS has discovered genetic loci that control lateral root development and the number of crown roots in rice, and has shown that these genes play a role in increasing phosphorus uptake by plants in phosphorus-deficient fields. The results of this research are expected to lead to improved rice yields in developing regions where phosphorus deficiency is widespread, and to reduced fertilizer application as a result of improved phosphorus use efficiency in rice.

Climate change is a problem that goes beyond greenhouse gas emissions and has a disproportionate impact on vulnerable social groups and generations with inadequate adaptive capacity. On August 28, the United Nations called on Member States to urgently address climate change, biodiversity loss and widespread environmental pollution to ensure the right of children to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.