Johannesburg — Camel farming could be an option for some 20 million to 35 million people living on semi-arid land in Africa, who will soon be unable to grow crops because of climate change, says the co-author of a new study.
By 2050, hotter conditions and less rainfall in an area covering 500,000 sq km to one million sq km of marginal farmland - about the size of Egypt - would make it harder for people grow crops, said Philip Thornton, a scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), based in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, co-author of the report.
The study, Croppers to livestock keepers: livelihood transitions to 2050 in Africa due to climate change, was published in a special edition of the journal, Environmental Science and Policy, to coincide with the UN climate change meeting in Bonn, Germany, this week. The meeting is the second in the run-up to the December conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, to consider a global accord to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The two authors suggest that rethinking and planning now for agricultural systems that will be necessary in a few decades, like boosting production of the hardier types of livestock - goats, donkeys, camels and some types of cattle - could provide an alternate source of income.
Thornton told IRIN that the affected communities could take the lead from pastoralist communities, who have been adapting to climate variability for generations. About 10 percent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa - around 72 million people - live in rangeland systems.
There is currently a mismatch between the kind of localised climate change impact information that is urgently needed, and what can objectively be supplied
The Samburu tribe in northern Kenya, traditionally cattle farmers, had begun keeping camels in the last two or three decades because droughts had diminished grazing, leading to diseases in the herds and cattle raiding by other groups, whereas the neighbouring tribes, who kept camels, fared better.
"Any increase in livestock must be managed sustainably, but our research shows there are many areas in Africa where, over the next few decades, climate vulnerability, coupled with market demand for animal products, will prompt many farming communities to add more livestock to their agriculture systems and we should prepare now for this inevitability," said Carlos Seré, Director General of ILRI.
The authors focused on the arid and semi-arid regions of West, East and southern Africa, where poor rainfall routinely causes crops to fail in one out of every six or even fewer growing seasons.
Various climate projections have indicated that the length of the reliable growing season on the affected land would drop below 90 days, making it impossible to cultivate maize - the staple food in much of Africa - and in some places even "drought-tolerant crops, such as millet" would be difficult to grow.
Livestock-farming as a solution is not a new idea. Thornton said the goal of their research was ultimately to use climate change projections to pinpoint specific areas in Africa where it would be appropriate to promote livestock ownership on small farms and help farmers deal with the risks inherent in such operations.
However, "there is currently a mismatch between the kind of localised climate change impact information that is urgently needed, and what can objectively be supplied," he commented.
For example, while there was consensus that temperatures would rise significantly, climate models did not always agree as to how the pattern and amount of rainfall in some parts of Africa would change.
Thornton said more detailed research was necessary to help implement programmes to assist the people living in these areas.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
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This Global Warming Stuff Is A Complete Hoax . Man has so arrogantly told God, by inference, that God the Creator didnt Create things quite right. The United Nations is just another attempt by Satan to build another Tower of Babel .
If you want to know some real truth tune in to Alex Jones Infowars broadcast. You can listen 24 hours a day. Its live for 4 hours and on continuous re-broadcast for the other 20 hours. Heres a link to articles on the Hoax of Global Warming. [http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/nbbw.cgi]
What is this hype of Global warming for ? Its designed to give these phony scientists ( who actually act like they were taking part in the Creation itself ) and the organizations they represent control of the worlds natural resources. The GEORGIA GUIDESTONES is consistent with United Nations goals for the world.
Here is a synopsis of the GEORGIA GUIDESTONES :
[The Agenda Of The Antichrist aka The Georgia Guidestones (GG) ] 10 POINTS LIKE THE 10 HORNS OR RELIGIONS OF THE BEAST [Revelations 13:1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having 7 heads (Kings) and 10 HORNS (Religious Kingdoms), and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy
THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES 1) MAINTAIN HUMANITY'S POPULATION UNDER 500 MILLION IN PERPETUAL BALANCE WITH NATURE 2) GUIDE REPRODUCTION WISELY IMPROVING FITNESS AND DIVERSITY 3) UNITE HUMANITY WITH A LIVING NEW LANGUAGE 4) RULE PASSION FAITH TRADITION AND ALL THINGS WITH TEMPERED REASON 5) PROTECT PEOPLE AND NATIONS WITH FAIR LAWS AND JUST COURTS 6) LET ALL NATIONS RULE INTERNALLY RESOLVING EXTERNAL DISPUTES IN A WORLD COURT 7) AVOID PETTY LAWS AND USELESS OFFICIALS 8) BALANCE PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH SOCIAL DUTIES. 9) PRIZE TRUTH BEAUTY LOVE SEEKING HARMONY WITH THE INFINITE 10) BE NOT A CANCER ON THE EARTH LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE
In conclusion the directives for these GEORGIA GUIDESTONES call for : a) Elimination of around 7 billion residents b) Control of how many people are born c) The return of the system of ONE LANGUAGE as it was during the construction of the TOWER OF BABEL d) The other goals seem to infer that there isnt currently a choice available to us that can help us to be better people. And there is a choice. e) But as the prophecy said in Daniel , The Beast/Antichrist will not allow any other worship, but of himself.
Global Warming and all this false human-directed unity is designed to appeal to our personal pride , our lustful flesh and our unsatisfied eyes. But we cant save ourselves. We children need OUR FATHER GOD to fight for us against our evil older brethren Satan (formerly known as Lucifer) and His Fallen Followers.
OUR DEEPEST FEAR By Marianne Williamson
Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.
We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?
Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.
Your Playing Small Doesnt Serve The World.
There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Wont Feel Insecure Around You.
We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.
We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.
Its Not Just In Some Of Us; Its In Everyone.
And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.
And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others
[NOTE BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WONT STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]
(Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )
God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .
God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.
From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
[Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]
WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/]
- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]
SO PLEASE WAKE UP MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. GOD IS ALL WE NEED. You are In My Prayers. God Bless Us. God Bless Africa.