by Komoneed | Oct 5, 2024
The Role of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
jschoshinski
Thu, 10/03/2024 – 15:39
As climate change continues to disrupt agriculture and food production worldwide, the need for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies has never been more pressing. Agricultural extension and advisory services (EAS) provided by public, private, and civil society organizations are at the forefront of the fight against climate change, helping millions of smallholder farmers adapt their practices to a rapidly changing environment.
An evidence review produced by the USAID Enabling Farmers for Agricultural Transformation (EFAT) project delves into the role of EAS in supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation. The evidence review is a comprehensive study of over 500 documents, mainly peer-reviewed journal articles and gray literature, highlighting the diverse roles that EAS play in promoting climate resilience in low-income countries to empower smallholder farmers. These include delivering vital climate advisory services, promoting stress-tolerant crop varieties, and supporting climate-resilient value chains. Moreover, EAS are instrumental in raising awareness, demonstrating new technologies, and organizing training events to equip farmers with the tools they need to navigate the challenges posed by climate change.
However, despite their potential, the effectiveness of EAS is often constrained by limited capacity, inadequate funding, and poor coordination. To overcome these barriers, the review recommends integrating climate objectives into EAS, enhancing technical capacities, securing sustainable funding, and recognizing EAS contributions in national climate strategies. Recognizing the crucial role EAS play in national climate strategies is also essential for ensuring they receive political, financial, and infrastructural support.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the role of EAS in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and building climate resilience becomes increasingly vital. By addressing the challenges they face and enhancing their capacity, EAS can significantly contribute to safeguarding global food systems against the impacts of climate change.
For more information, read EFAT’s evidence review: Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in Support of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: An Evidence Review and the related policy brief: Policy Brief: Climate Change and Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services.
Teaser Text
The evidence review is a comprehensive study of over 500 documents highlighting the diverse roles that agricultural extension and advisory services play in promoting climate resilience in low-income countries to empower smallholder farmers.
Publish Date
Thu, 10/03/2024 – 12:00
Author(s)
Winrock International
Hero Image
Winrock EAS blog img.jpg
Blog Type
Blog Post
Strategic Objective
Adaptation
Integration
Mitigation
Region
Global
Topic
Adaptation
Agriculture
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Climate
Climate Change Integration
Climate Strategy Implementation
Mitigation
Resilience
Sectors
Agriculture and Food Systems
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Australia’s leading peak waste and recycling industry organisations have joined together to call for urgent action on the growing hazard posed by batteries and electronics in conventional waste and recycling streams.
Ten peak state, territory and national industry groups — comprising the Australian Council of Recycling, Australian Organics Recycling Association, National Waste and Recycling Industry Council, Victorian Waste Management Association, Waste and Recycling Industry Association (NT), Waste and Recycling Industry Association (Qld), Waste and Recycling Industry Association (SA), Waste and Recycling Industry Association (WA), Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association (NSW) and Waste Recycling and Processing Industry Association (Vic) — are demanding immediate measures to confront this escalating crisis.
With around 30 battery-related fires occurring daily across the country — amounting to over 10,000 fires a year — there is an ongoing risk to the operational safety of waste and recycling infrastructure, as well as the wellbeing of workers and the health of the environment.
Batteries are ubiquitous in consumer electronics, particularly in lithium-based chemistries. When improperly disposed of in conventional waste or recycling streams, they pose a significant fire hazard. The growing use of products like e-scooters and devices with integrated batteries further exacerbates the risk of fires and the release of toxic gases.
To combat this urgent issue, the waste and recycling industries call on Australian, state and territory governments to implement the following measures:
Ban battery disposal: Prohibit the disposal of batteries in household and commercial waste, with penalties for non-compliance.
Safe disposal networks: Establish easily accessible collection points for safe disposal of loose and embedded batteries across Australia.
National education campaign: Launch a comprehensive awareness initiative to inform the public on proper disposal methods.
Industry support: Provide support and resources, including insurance backing, to manage and mitigate the risks posed by batteries.
Extended producer responsibility: Expedite national regulations, mandating producer responsibility to fund safe disposal and processing of all batteries and consumer electronics products.
Accountability targets: Set ambitious recovery targets for batteries and consumer electronics to ensure accountability across the market.
“The risks associated with improper disposal of batteries and consumer electronics are not just a concern for the waste and recycling industries; they affect every Australian,” said Suzanne Toumbourou, CEO of the Australian Council of Recycling. “We must act now to protect our people, our infrastructure and our environment.”
“Our industries are united in this critical call for action,” said Rick Ralph, CEO of the National Waste and Recycling Industry Council. “There must be immediate and coordinated action to tackle the battery disposal crisis.”
Image credit: iStock.com/Just_Super
