Peasants are part of the solution for the climate change

1. Facts and data Peasants are part of the solutionfor the climate change 1st session of the intergovernmental working group on the rights of peasants and other people living in rural areas Geneva, 15/07/2013 Eva Torremocha Revista Soberanía Alimentaria, Biodiversidad y Culturas

2. 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%

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Soils are part of the solution – how? • Increasing organic matter content in soils • Diversifying cropping systemsPEASANTS • Better integration of crops and animal production PEASANTS • Increase of trees and non cultivated vegetation on farming landsPEASANTS

9. 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

10. Conclusion THERE IS NO SOLUTION WITHOUT PEASANTS 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.

11. 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”.

12. Thanks!