Atoms4Food, Oceans and Water
Nuclear science offers more than just energy. Nuclear techniques, such as isotope hydrology and plant mutation breeding, can also help countries adapt to the impact of climate change on food, agriculture, and water availability. The IAEA joined forces with the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO) organization last month to launch a new Atoms4Food initiative, aimed at using nuclear techniques to tackle the rise in global hunger and food insecurity exacerbated by climate change.
A Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change and Food Security: The Role of Nuclear Science and Technology will take place on 1 December at the Food and Agriculture Pavilion, in which Mr Grossi will discuss the critical role nuclear techniques play in agrifood systems with FAO Director General Qu Dongyu.
On 2 December there will be an event focussed on climate adaptation in the areas of agriculture, food security, water management and livestock. Panellists will present the climate adaptation work of their respective organizations in the IAEA’s Atoms4Climate Pavilion.
The ocean is also affected by climate change, as can be seen in rising ocean temperatures, rising sea levels and ocean acidification. The IAEA supports countries in using nuclear and isotopic techniques to develop a science-based understanding of changes in the ocean.
On Thursday 30 November, the IAEA’s Atoms4Climate pavilion will host an event highlighting its work with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) in monitoring ocean health. The Promoting Ocean Health with the Research Vessel AIMostakshif event will show how the new IAEA-KISR Ocean Health project enables innovative research and capacity building around the world. Following the event, a guided tour and a high level reception will be hosted onboard the research vessel AlMostakshif
The retreat of glaciers has significant impacts on the water cycle and water supply as well as eco-systems and biodiversity. The IAEA’s efforts to address this issue will be discussed at an event on the Cryosphere: The Impact of Retreating Glaciers on 6 December in the Atoms4Climate pavilion.
Also on 6 December, the IAEA will highlight the work of the Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GloWAL) Network, a new global laboratory network empowering countries around the world to generate the data needed to manage their water resources effectively. The event in the Atoms4Climate Pavilion will inform participants about progress made on the Water Action Agenda resulting from the UN Water Conference and will discuss how GloWAL empowers countries to develop water management capacities to support this international effort.
More than 70 000 delegates are expected to attend COP28 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and attendees will include everyone from heads of state to young people reaching adulthood as the world feels the effects of climate change.
