Putting genetic resources on the Climate Change Agenda

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“We need policies and mechanisms to improve exchanges of genetic material while helping agriculture adapt to changing climatic conditions”, says Dr. Andy Jarvis (CIAT – International Center for Tropical Agriculture). “Climate change is putting genetic diversity at risk while causing biodiversity loss. Studying and promoting conservation programs for domesticated species and their wild relatives, along with policies improving their sustainable use, will be essential for addressing climate change”. Moreover, Dr. Jarvis says, the risks posed by climate change highlight the key interdependencies between countries: countries must help each other by sharing their materials while preventing further losses of their agricultural genetic resources, and in some cases by introducing new varieties and species that have not been previously raised.
Based on several studies, the book released by FAO “Coping with climate change: the roles of genetic resources for food and agriculture” presents an overview of the complex interactions between climate change and plant, animal, forest, aquatic, invertebrate and micro-organism genetic resources while addressing two key questions: What are the possible effects of climate change on genetic resources for food and agriculture and how does it influence their management? What are the specific roles of genetic resources for food and agriculture in coping with climate change?

Read the full interview conducted by Laura Caciagli on Climate Science & Policy, the free digital magazine edited by CMCC.

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