The current drought in the US, and water scarcity from North Africa to India, make farmers suffering worldwide and lead to one of the worst growing seasons with negative effects on food prices. “Climate change is projected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of droughts, with impacts on many sectors, in particular food, water, health and energy,” said the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary General Michel Jarraud and stressed out the need of developing integrated risk- based national drought policies. UN agencies are intensifying efforts to establish a more coordinated and proactive strategy of managing drought risks, which lack in many countries.

Full news reported in the weekly column Climate Policy News.
In the latest issue (August 20-26, 2012):

• Romania draws back charges against EU ETS
• U.S. court: EPA exceeded its mandate on coal pollution
• China to spend $ 372 bln to cut energy use
• UN calls for integrated drought policies
• The Carbon Market this week.

Climate Policy News is edited by Marinella Davide and Valeria Barbi

Picture credits: CC by United Nations Photo at Flickr.com