Enrico Fermi Lecture: Agriculture in the Climate Crisis: Facts, Trends and Systemic Solutions

The Cyprus Institute 2023 Enrico Fermi Lecture

                    

With the support of the Embassy of Italy in Cyprus, as part of the Enrico Fermi Lecture Series

Agriculture in the Climate Crisis: Facts, Trends and Systemic Solutions

Thursday, 22 June 2023, 16:00 - 17:00, followed by a reception

RSVP by Tuesday, 20 June 2023

The event will be addressed by Prof. Stavros Malas, President of The Cyprus Institute.
The lecture will be introduced by Prof. Salvatore Carlucci.

Abstract

Rising temperatures, reduction in total rainfall, and intensification of extreme events, such as floods, heat waves and droughts, emerging pests, and diseases, will enhance yield variability and instability over time with a reduction of food quantity and quality. Crops respond to climate change with changes in the duration of the growing season, early appearance of phenological phases, and potential shifts of cultivation areas toward more suitable locations for better-growing conditions.

In addition, several countries that did not previously consistently rely on irrigation systems may see a likely and strong expansion of irrigation water demand, especially where precipitation is projected to decline and more frequent and prolonged drought events are expected.

Different tools are available to provide information at different spatial and temporal scales to offer operational, tactical, and strategic decisions to support different users. Adaptation options need to be implemented locally for sustainable management and planning of agronomic practices.

Prof. Donatella Spano

Donatella Spano is a Full Professor at the University of Sassari and representative of the University in the National Doctorate on Climate Change and Sustainable Development. She is a Member of the Strategic Council of the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation, a Member of the scientific committee of the National Center on Biodiversity, and Co-Leader of Spoke on Ecosystem Function, service, and solutions. She served as Regional Minister for the Protection of the Environment – Sardinia, Italy (2014-2019), President of the Italian Society for Climate Sciences (SISC) (2013-2015), Vice-Rector for Research and Technology Transfer, University of Sassari (2011-2014).

She is a Member of the Italian Academy of Forest Sciences and of Accademia dei Georgofili. She is actively involved in several international, national, and regional projects on the adaptation of agricultural and forestry systems to climate change, the development of methodologies and support systems for the sustainable management of water resources, and fire risk assessment.