Coping with climate change: the roles of genetic resources for food and agriculture
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) argues that genetic resources have a critical role to play in feeding the world in light of climate change, as shown in this infographic. A recent book (PDF) of FAO, “Coping with climate change: the roles of genetic resources for food and agriculture”, highlights the potential use of genetic resources as a basis for adaptation and of an ecosystem approach to meet the challenges of climate change. The report covers plant, animal, forest, aquatic, invertebrate and micro-organism genetic resources. Guidelines (PDF) for the integration of genetic resources into adaptation plans have been developed by FAO and CGIAR CCAFS. They contain recommendations aimed at helping countries implement policies and strategies for studying, preserving, and utilizing genetic resources to adapt to climate change. To facilitate discussion of the issues between experts in the field, and national and international policy makers, a discussion paper (PDF) analysed the extent to which agricultural biological diversity has been included in the existing National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs).