This tome is a worthwhile addition to the growing literature in this area, comprising a series of chapters covering a very wide gamut of multi-disciplinary aspects, focusing on adaptation and mitigation. This adaptation to climate change is nothing new in global agriculture, but increasing globalization adds complexity and also resilience to the system through trade, aid and transfer of technology. Growing population and an increase in wealth and dietary aspirations of that population, together with limited water resources, increase the pressures on agriculture. Recently, the link between food security and social unrest has been clearly demonstrated.
The book covers agronomic studies on climate impact and adaptation through economic studies on agricultural impacts and on the wider economy (particularly crucial in developing countries) through agricultural mitigation and adaptation of agricultural and economic systems. Both the effect on crops and the more complex effects on livestock production are covered, though, perhaps, there is insufficient consideration of the positive effects of climate change on crop and pasture performance, an area now receiving welcome attention. The different dynamics of C3 and C4 crops and weeds are also covered, as are a wide range of models on effect, adaptation and mitigation to climate change, with emphasis on the Ricardian approach. The mitigation effects of trade, institutional change and technological innovation are described, as are the adverse effects of biofuels and insurance and the positive role of sustainable intensification. Renewed investment in research and development to ‘fuel’ these initiatives is rightly emphasised.
This thought-provoking and wide-ranging handbook covers a very wide range of multidisciplinary approaches to climate change and rewards the diligent reader.
