Can cooler
temperatures be expected?
Looking back at 2016, this
Guardian article highlights the negative impacts of the end of El Nino that
resulted in droughts, high temperatures and food shortages in much of Africa,
Latin America and south-east Asia. Later in the year, however, La Nina
conditions were reported, and a weak La Nina can be expected in 2017. A natural
cooling of Pacific Ocean waters, this can bring average rainfall and cooler
temperatures across much of the globe. However, these conditions can fade away
early in the New Year. Forecasters
in Washington have said that while “ocean temperatures need to drop by an
average of half a degree for at least six months”, it is probable that this may
not happen. Farmers, especially in countries in Latin America, will be
adversely impacted by these changing conditions as they compete for
international markets.
More worries for
farmers?
In
Australia, water will be a key issue when it comes to agriculture, with
discussions on water reforms entering a crucial phase. But, this is not the
only concern. Rising power costs and rising temperatures are resulting in
challenges for farmers. Trade and investment is high on the agenda, with 2017
being the deadline for a free-trade agreement with Indonesia, and agriculture
commodities is expected to be a key point in these negotiations.
Water conservation as
a key trend?
Speaking of water, Ford
has predicted water conservation to be a key trend in 2017. This article
captures efforts by large corporations to address challenges in climate
change, health, and labour, among others. The corporations gathered agreed to
“support meaningful carbon pricing, help smallholder farmers, reduce food waste
by half, and set ambitious water-management goals”.
The need for more
data on food consumption and inequality
In
this interview, Mark Watts, the Executive Director of C40, draws attention
to issues of food consumption and inequality as influencing climate politics in
the coming year. Watts highlights the need to rethink urban food issues, noting
that food consumption will be a critical challenge in the near future. Yet,
closely linked to this is the need to tackle inequality. He highlights the need
to look deeper at the linkages between inequality and climate change, for
example, the need for more “analysis and data on the economic and social
benefits of actions taken largely to achieve a climate outcome”.
How will political
developments shape climate discussions?
This
article highlights some of key political and policy developments that will shape
2017, including the changes in government in Washington, and larger
discussions around Brexit. With Germany, the US, Mexico, and Canada having
begun to look at a future without fossil fuels, the G7 aims to look at these
transition plans. Importantly, 2017 will also see greater discussions around
the Paris Agreement. Further, the new UN Secretary General taking office this
year, has characterised climate action as ‘unstoppable’. It would be crucial to
see how these changes will impact climate decisions at policy level, and how
they will be translated at the local level.
