How can we cope with the effects of climate change on food production?
AS: It is critical for agriculture to be able to adapt to climate change. Changes in rainfall, seasonality and ecosystem functioning will have considerable impacts on agriculture, otherwise. Agriculture must factor in the fact that it will have far greater vulnerability. We must invest in climate-informed policies and research that manage these risks downwards and at the same time reduce agriculture's significant emissions of greenhouse gases. IPS: Will the departure of the biotechnology industry last year from IAASTD discussions affect the outcome here? AS: It was regrettable and a lost opportunity for that segment of the private sector to engage with society in this important effort. However, their claim that the IAASTD summary reports were unfair to their industry is a fallacy. This is not about biotechnology versus organic agriculture; there is no unitary way forward. The IAASTD is creating a set of sign posts to guide future agriculture research and policy based on the evidence
