Protecting Food Security through Adaptation to Climate Change in Melanesia

Description of Intervention

This project is seeking change in two areas:
1. Protecting local food supplies, assets and livelihoods against the effects of increasing weather variability and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including natural disasters and sea level rise.
2. Protecting ecosystems and strengthening the provision of environmental services (food).

This project will benefit 18 communities (estimated 24,000 people) in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and PNG.

Target groups are smallholder farmers (both men and women) and ultimate beneficiaries are communities at large. The selection of target islands and local populations has been done in close consultation with the relevant government department in each of the three target countries and links in with the NAPA. The project will be implemented by a consortium of Live and Learn in Australia (lead agency), Live and Learn PNG, Live and Learn Solomon Islands and Live and Learn Vanuatu. The project has been designed by Live and Learn in close consultation with beneficiaries, and target groups, including relevant government departments and the Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). This was done through two design workshops held in the target countries on August 22 and 23, 2009, and consultation meetings with government counterparts and the Food and Agriculture Organisation at the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009. The purpose of these design workshops was to confirm relevance of activities and ensure full participation of target groups and stakeholders and set realistic goals and timeframes. Compared to other countries, most Melanesian have very small “carbon footprints” having contributed very little to global warming and climate change. Unfortunately, they will be among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their high dependency on their immediate environment and close proximity to the coast. While the challenges ahead are enormous, farmers’ innovation can make a great starting point for strengthening food security in Melanesia.

Problems to be Addressed

Food Security; Poor farming practices

Aims

To document traditional and innovative farming technologies that can be used in Melanesia to strengthen food security in response to climate change

Objectives

The specific objective is to produce a guide to provide traditional and innovative technologies that make a positive contribution to strengthen food security in Melanesia in response to climate change.

How it fits into the EbA concept

Restoration of ecosystems to provide services through best farming practices that enable people to adapt to the impacts of climate change, especially with regard to food security, building on the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous people and local communities.

Relevant Publications

Farm Technology is a guide providing a range of traditional and innovative technologies that make a positive contribution to strengthening food security in Melanesia in response to climate change.