Facts and data

Peasants are part of the solution

for the climate change

1st session of the intergovernmental working group on the rights of peasants and other people living in rural areasGeneva, 15/07/2013

Eva TorremochaRevista Soberanía Alimentaria, Biodiversidad y Culturas

The problem How and how much the industrial food system

contributes to the climate crisis?

Conquering land by deforestation: 15-18%

Intensive farming model with chemical fertilizers, manure and petrol-dependent machines and irrigation system :11-15%

Transport of inputs and food (specially animal feed): 5-6%

The problem (2) Processing and packing demands lots of energy: 8-

10%

Freezing and retail need a cold distribution system for ready made food: 2-4%

Waste of nearly a half of all the food produced: 3-4%

BETWEEN 44% AND 57% OF ALL GHG COME FROM THE GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM

Special focus on soils – data Soils have lost 30 to 75% of their organic matter during

the 20th century 25 to 40% of the CO2 excess in the atmosphere comes

from the destruction of soils The continuous use of correct farming practices would

allow the offset of between 24 and 30% of current global annual GHG emissions

In 50 years, with the rights policies and incentives, worldwide, soil organic matter content could be restore to pre industrial agriculture levels.

SOILS MUST BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

Soils are part of the solution – how? Increasing organic

matter content in soils Diversifying

cropping systems Better integration of

crops and animal production

Increasing trees presence and non cultivated vegetation on farming lands

Soils with organic matter are part of the solution what for?

They are the solution for Soil erosion Alkalinity in tropical soils Climate change mitigation: decreasing GHG

emissions Climate change adaptation - Better resilience

to droughts and floods Pest and diseases management, better

controlled through biological activity

More solutions – which farming/distribution model?

Shift to local markets and shorter circuits of food distribution

Integration of crops and animal production

Stopping deforestation and land clearing

POVERTY AND HUNGER ARE ALSO ADRESSED

Soils are part of the solution – how? Increasing organic

matter content in soils Diversifying cropping

systems PEASANTS Better integration of

crops and animal production PEASANTS

Increase of trees and non cultivated vegetation on farming lands PEASANTS

Solutions – which farming/distribution model?

Shift to local markets and shorter circuits of food distribution PEASANTS

Integration of crops and animal production) PEASANTS

Stopping deforestation and land clearing

POVERTY AND HUNGER ARE ALSO ADRESSED

Conclusion GHG emissions can be cut in half within few decades Peasants have the knowledge, the experience, the

genetic ressources, the commitment and the willingness to do so.

THERE IS NO SOLUTION WITHOUT PEASANTS

Final statement

IFOAM position on smallholders“To further advance the rights of peasants and other

people working in rural areas, there is a need to elaborate a new international human rights instrument, (…) It should recognize new rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, such as the rights to land, to seeds and to the means of production. IFOAM calls on all sectors of civil society, business and government to take responsibility and action for a better world for smallholders and, therefore, for humankind”.

Thanks!