Resource efficiency as a global concern Alan Belward...Photo credit Thomas Faivre-Duboz, modified by Alan Belward Deforestation; emissions ~ 1.2 Pg C yr–1 RE.gif 5.8 mha/yr, 13 mha/yr

"The biggest picture of all: science, resources, and getting

the message across"

Resource efficiency as a global concern

Alan Belward

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Presentation Overview

• Global responses to the challenge of efficient use of our planet’s resources test science

• Science to advance knowledge, science for international policy, science for decision making

• Opportunities and challenges ahead

image source; USDA, Martin H.

http://cdn.wn.com/

Freshwater Fuel Food

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The Science - Policy nexus• Importance of scientific advice to policy-making is

growing• The direction science takes is not always isolated from

political influence• Industry and other interest groups have vested

interests -

and a role to play• Public perceptions and misperceptions often reflect

media coverage and both can influence policy-makers

image source; JRC, NYT web, UN Climate talks picture

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Access…Source A. Nelson and H. Uchida Copyright European Communities

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Photo credit Thomas Faivre-Duboz

…to global resources

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Photo credit championsportsradio.com/, JRC

… with global consequencesPhoto credit Thomas Faivre-Duboz, modified by Alan Belward

Deforestation; emissions ~ 1.2 Pg C yr–1

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… requiring global actions 5.8 mha/yr, 13 mha/yr globally Photo credit Thomas Faivre-Duboz, modified by Alan Belward

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Photo credit championsportsradio.com/, JRC

Emissions; van der Werf et al, 2009, Nature BiogeoSciences5.8 mha/yr humid tropics Achard et al. (2002), Science 297, 999-1002

13 mha/yr globally FAO (2010) Global Forest Resource Assessment Key Findingshttp://www.fao.org/forestry/fra/fra2010/en/

…less than 3 seconds to clear a sports fieldPhoto credit Thomas Faivre-Duboz, modified by Alan Belward

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Photo credit championsportsradio.com/, JRC

Emissions; van der Werf et al, 2009, Nature BiogeoSciences5.8 mha/yr humid tropics Achard et al. (2002), Science 297, 999-1002

13 mha/yr globally FAO (2010) Global Forest Resource Assessment Key Findingshttp://www.fao.org/forestry/fra/fra2010/en/

… every 3 seconds of every dayPhoto credit Thomas Faivre-Duboz, modified by Alan Belward

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Source Bartholome and Belward JRC

The most local of processes – deforestation occurs one-tree-at-a-time

The most global of processes – deforestation occurs in all forest areas

It is rapid – millions of ha/yr; and slow – its always been part of human activity

1973 1991 2001 2005 2009

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25th July 1973

7th July 1991

11th July 2001

21st July 2005

9th August 2009

20 km

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50,000 km2 of natural vegetation converted to agriculture every year since the 1970s

50 km

White Nile Irrigation Scheme – pre expansion 1975And after construction 2000 (images Landsat)

Analysis Brink and Eva 2008

1975

20 km

Source A. Brink H. Eva JRC

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Africa’s population has doubled since 1970sSource: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat (2010). World

World Population Prospects, the 2010 RevisionPopulation Prospects: The 2010 Revision, New York: United Nations.

• less land per person

• Increasing pressure on environment and population

• food insecurity

• conflict and migration

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Cross-border, cross sectoral problems• Action

must be implemented

nationally – sovereign responsibilities

• Methods must be transparent – and verifiable

• Measurements must be made anywhere on the planet

• International consensus is needed on the science underpinning methods

• Capacity building is needed in many parts of the world

• Engagement of government, industry, national and supra-

national organisations

is critical

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Lessons learned• Science matters

– central to innovation and better lives. Legislation founded on scientific evidence increasingly shapes our world

• Science doesn’t have all the answers– interdisciplinary approaches are needed as policy makers

demand harmonized views embracing economic, social, environmental, ethical and various scientific dimensions

• Industry matters– core interest groups have vested interests in policy-making.

Scientific outcomes can often be better if industry is involved• Public opinion matters

– …and public debate is instrumental in forming it. Scientists must engage in real dialogue

• Co-operation and collaboration matter– working together through necessity has changed to working

together to a common end