Scientists from the University of Leeds have returned to the UK after attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico.
Two weeks of talks between 190 countries culminated with a welcome new pledge to tackle climate change by making deeper cuts in carbon emissions but much remains to be done. The agreement will also see a fund created to channel money from developed West to developing countries. Leeds scientists were involved in the conference and at various side events running parallel to the main negotiations where they made significant contributions. One event was the Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD) on 4 December. More than 400 policymakers, farmers, members of civil society, the private sector and scientists attended the day, which was aimed at tackling the challenge of feeding a rapidly growing global population - expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 - in an increasingly harsh climate. David Howlett from the University of Leeds' Africa College and Faculty of Biological Sciences was a member of the ARDD organising committee that drafted a statement of the day that was delivered to the climate change negotiators. The statement described the key issues raised during the discussions, including how agriculture can contribute to a low emission future while adapting to climate change and enhancing food security.
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