(MENAFN Press) December, 2012
'' Where the Rain Falls '': a study showing how populations adapt their behaviors to climate change and to food insecurity
-Close to 900 million people in the world affected by food insecurity, notably due to climate change
-600 million more people could suffer from food insecurity by 2080 as a result of climate change
-Migrations of populations as a result of food insecurity could greatly increase in the next 25 years
The changing seasons, the disparate and unpredictable rainfalls are two of the most striking consequences of climate change.
The conclusions of '' Where the Rain Falls '', the research project led by CARE France and the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), have been released yesterday in Doha during the 18th United Nations Climate Change Conference. This project is supported by the AXA Group and the MacArthur Foundation.
'' The survey "Where the Rain Falls" helps us understand one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century: how to feed a growing population when facing radical climate change '', said Philippe Lvque, Managing Director of CARE France. '' Climate change is already causing extreme meteorological phenomena, such as dryness and floods, provoking food insecurity for populations. 600 million extra people could suffer from this matter by 2080 ''.
The survey was conducted in eight countries on three continents (Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Viet Nam, Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala and Peru). The research is based on a 1,300 household survey and participatory research sessions involving 2,000 individuals. It demonstrates in an innovative way that vulnerable families facing food insecurity linked to climate change either migrate or send one of their own to another region where the food or financial resources necessary to their survival can be found. These solutions increase the vulnerability of already weak populations.
'' Our modeling results for Tanzania show that migration from vulnerable households could double over the next 25 years under the most extreme drought scenario '' explained Koko Warner scientific Director of the "Where the Rain Falls" project from the United Nations University.
This study concludes with suggestions of policy and practice solutions and concrete actions. Therefore, projects related to climate change adjustments will be launched locally will start in 2013. The programs developed with local communities will combine awareness programs on climate variations with the setting-up of agricultural activities and the management of hydric resources more adapted to climate changes.
'' We are proud to support this study that allows to understand the issues faced by vulnerable populations exposed to climate risks. We are convinced that the actions suggested by the study will help populations better prepare to climate change and risks. We will pursue our commitment alongside CARE, as part of our actions linked to our corporate responsibility. Our aim is to minimize the human and economic impacts of natural disasters on fragile populations through research, education and prevention '', stated Alice Steenland, Corporate Responsibility Director of the AXA Group.
For further information on '' Where the Rain Falls '' (videos, full report and summary, case studies, methodology"): www.wheretherainfalls.org
As a responsible company, AXA strives to play a positive role in society by helping to better understand the risks faced by individuals and society at large.
This commitment includes several initiatives, amongst which:
-A partnership with the NGO CARE, with two initiatives:
-The support to the study "Where the Rain Falls"
-Programs aimed at raising awareness on natural disaster prevention, targeting communities that are particularly exposed to this type of risks in emerging countries. These projects, whose objectives are to reduce the human and economic impacts of such disasters, are implemented in Benin, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mali, the Philippines and Vietnam.
-The AXA Research Fund, which supports 300 researchers throughout the world, contributes to understanding and preventing environmental, life, and socio-economic risks.
-A "green" products offer including:
-Retail: motor insurance encouraging low emissions vehicles, home insurance with environmental appliances upgrades;
-SMEs: encouraging "green" buildings or car fleets;
-Industrial: environmental risk prevention, promotion of the development of renewable energies via adapted policies covering the equipment and the revenues derived from electric energy sales, etc.
For more information about:
- AXA Group's Corporate Responsibility strategy: http://www.axa.com/en/responsibility/
- AXA Group's SRI ratings: http://www.axa.com/en/responsibility/sri/
