Tiempo Climate Newswatch

The Twenty-Second Session of the Subsidiary Bodies to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change met in Bonn, Germany, 15-27th May. Planning for a five-year work programme on adaptation began, but the programme was not finalized. There was disagreement as to whether the programme should be structured by priority sectors (the United States proposal) or take an integrated approach (suggested by the G-77/China).

It also proved impossible to reach any firm conclusions during discussion of the Special Climate Change Fund, particularly with regard to priority or focal areas. Delegates were urged to come to the next session with "more flexible mandates". On the positive side, agreement was reached on the timing of non-Annex 1 national communications and on the Least Developed Countries Fund.

More information

• New Scientist
• ENN
• Green Building Press

• Speech, Jurgen Trittin
• Summary, ENB
• Press release, UNFCCC

Global warming is likely to seriously reduce food production, according to a report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "Sixty-five developing countries, representing more than half of the developing world's total population in 1995, will lose about 280 million tons of potential cereal production as a result of climate change," the report warns. The worst impact would be in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is concluded that agricultural losses may drastically increase the number of undernourished people. Some 40 poor, developing countries with a combined population of two billion, including 450 million people who are already undernourished, are most at risk. Climate impacts would severely hinder progress in combating poverty and food insecurity. "Climate change not only has an impact on food security, but is also likely to influence the development and intensification of animal diseases and plant pests," said Wulf Killmann, who chairs FAO's Interdepartmental Working Group on Climate Change.

More information

• ENN
• Discovery Channel

• Press release, FAO
• Report, FAO

"There is some tough sledding ahead to make the rest of the cuts in greenhouse gases that will be needed", warns Gary Harrison, a chief for Chickaloon Village in Alaska. Harrison, chair of the Arctic Athabaskan Council, was part of a delegation of Arctic leaders visiting Europe in late May to pressure government leaders to combat climate change. We came "to let people know that climate change is already having an effect in the Arctic, and it will soon be affecting them here," he said.

The group also lobbied for equitable development of the polar lands. Larisa Abrutina, representing the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, said her people should benefit from the extraction of natural resources. Olav Mathis Eura, who represents Saami people in Norway, Sweden and Finland, argued that development of the north should be sustainable. "We need protection of our traditional lands," he said. A recent study undertaken by the Arctic Council warned of the severe effects of global warming on the polar region.

More information

• Washington Post
• Terra Daily
• EDIE

• Background, Newswatch
• Download Arctic Council report