Sustainable Ecosystems
Currently humanity destroys the foundation of our existence: water, fertile land, clean air, and many other resources we seem to take for granted, are running short.
The World Future Council commits itself to finding and spreading good policies that promote responsible usage of those resources. The WFC focusses on sustainable agriculture, sustainable use of forests, oceans and lakes, as well as clean water for all and bio-cultural diversity. To continue its work in this field the WFC requires funding and donations.
- © Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF)
The agriculture and food sector is not only a victim of climate change, it is also a major contributor to the acceleration of global warming.
This section of the WFC website explains the mutual relationship between food and agriculture and climate change.
How does climate change affect agriculture?
How does agriculture contribute to climate change?
How does the global food system affect climate change?
Consequently, food and agriculture provide for a huge climate mitigation potential. The development of climate-resilient farming systems is a major challenge for policy makers and a comparatively new discipline. We need policies for a global food system based on biology, not chemistry, one that will feed us indefinitely if we treat the soil right. To this end, the WFC website presents a selection of best policy concepts.
Please download our brochure on Cultivating the Future: Food in the Age of Climate Change
for additional information.
In 2009 the Future Policy Award celebrated successful policies for Food Security and the Human Right to Food. Policies were nominated that create fair and sustainable food systems, working towards ensuring access to adequate food for all citizens. Read more about the Future Policy Award and download the brochure Celebrating the Belo Horizonte Food Security Programme.
With financial support from the Schweisfurth Foundation.
Bio-cultural Diversity
The topic for the 2010 Future Policy Award is Biological Diversity. The award will be presented at the 10th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010.
Oceans
The World Future Council, in collaboration with a number of other organisations and government stakeholders, is undertaking the development of policy in the field of Marine Biodiversity within the Pacific Ocean. This vast expanse represents a habitat for some of the most scientifically and culturally important ecosystems on this planet. Biodiversity does not only refer to the number of living organisms on our planet, but also the interdependence of all these living things, including humans. Ecosystems are being destroyed, animals and plants becoming extinct, and biodiversity is being lost due to increased human activity. Although environments would be shifting and evolving regardless of human influence, it is necessary to understand that humans are causing the rate of change to become particularly dangerous.
Recognising this challenge a number of Pacific Island governments have created a range of Marine Protected Areas targeting some of the more important biodiversity hotspots. Despite this, many questions about the true effectiveness of these policies remain. Specifically, the concerns lie around the monitoring and enforcement of the Marine Protected Areas’ (MPAs) with regards to over fishing and the ability of this policy action to maintain a sufficient level of biodiversity protection. For the benefit of future generations, the World Future Council, in collaboration with our major partners, the IUCN, the Center for Oceans Solutions and the Okeanos Foundation aims to increase international cooperation of Pacific Island nations to confront these challenges.
