The Decline of Agriculture?

Farmers who depend on reliable seasonal patterns face uncertainty due to climate change. Farmers and climate researchers are troubled by gradual or volatile climate disruption and are increasingly questioning agriculture’s ability to feed fast-growing populations. Early sprouting, dry spells, torrential rains, virulent pests and need for replanting are no longer rare occurrences. Extreme weather, water shortages and the long-term effects of chemical fertilizers wear away and destroy soil’s natural nutrients.This article is available at:http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/07/201173114451998370.html

Climate change adaptation is mainly about water

Water directly influences the Earth's ecosystems and therefore people’s livelihoods and well-being. Already, water-related climate change impacts are being experienced in the form of more severe and more frequent droughts and floods. Higher average temperatures and changes in precipitation and temperature extremes are projected to affect the availability of water resources through changes in rainfall distribution, soil moisture, glacier and ice/snow melt, and river and groundwater flows; these factors are expected to lead to further deterioration of water quality as well. The poor, who are the most vulnerable, are also likely to be affected the most. Article available at: http://www.wsscc.org/sites/default/files/publications/un_water_climate_change_adaptation_is_mainly_about_water.pdf