Side Event
Biodiversity, climate change and agriculture: Enhancing or eroding resilience?
Organizer
EcoNexus
Date and Time
11 May 2010 13:15 - 14:45
Biodiversity is fundamental to resilient ecosystems, which are themselves key for climate stability. Agricultural biodiversity is crucial for ensuring food supply, especially in times of unstable climate. In contrast, industrial agriculture damages ecosystems and biodiversity, while accelerating climate change and increasing vulnerability. In spite of this, further intensification of agriculture is proposed as a response to the climate and biodiversity crises. No-till monocultures, agrofuels, biochar, GM crops and trees, livestock intensification and the new bioeconomy are all proposed as solutions. Presentations take a critical look at these ideas and ask: do these approaches enhance or erode resilience? What kind of agriculture do we really need?