Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Roberto De Vivo
Pioneer HI Bred Italia SRL, Italy; Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli “Federico IIâ€, Italy
Keynote: Influence of carbon fixation on the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock activities in Italy and the achievement of carbon neutrality
Biography:
I graduated at the age of 25 at the University of Naples "Federico II" and then obtained post-graduate specialization at the University of Milan. I am a teacher in a secondary school and I am a zootechnical consultant. I have made two publications, and I have presented studies on the topic of the environmental impact of farms in two conferences, a European conference and a world conference.
Abstract:
Among the greenhouse gas emissions due to livestock activities there is, in addition to rumen methane, that which derives from the fermentation and management of manure from farmed animals. To feed the farmed animals, plants are used that fix carbon and therefore subtract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The emissions related to rumen fermentations, those related to manure, management, and spreading of animals of species reared in Italy, as well as manure released by grazing animals were quantified and summed. The emissions due to the respiration of animals were calculated and the carbon dioxide fixed by the main crops of zootechnical interest was calculated and then subtracted from the atmosphere. In addition, the emissions from the cultivation of plant species, attributable to the working of the soil, the production of fertilizers and pesticides, electricity, fuels, and the operation of machines, were also taken into account. The results of this elaboration show that in Italy the CO2 fixed in the vegetation cultivated to feed animals is about 10% higher than the sum of that emitted by the animals reared and by the entire process that is part of it. It could therefore be argued that the influence of carbon fixation should probably be taken into account to calculate the environmental impact in terms of carbon footprint of agricultural and animal products. In this way, carbon neutrality would be demonstrated, which characterizes the production processes of agricultural products and animal productions unlike other production cycles.
- Global Climate change and ecosystems
Location: Webinar
Session Introduction
K. Gisele Sinasson S.
Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
Title: Effectiveness of protected areas in the preservation of Mimusops species’ habitats under climate change
Biography:
K. Gisele Sinasson S. has completed her PhD at the age of 32 years from the University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin. She is an early carrier scientist and is currently postdoctoral fellow at Rhodes University, South Africa. She has published 7 papers in reputed journals and has served as a reviewer for different journals (Biotropica, Economic Botany, etc.). Her research interest is on useful forest tree species (especially medicinal and fruit species) with the ultimate goal to contribute to their valorization and conservation through plantation in home gardens, fields and streets.
Abstract:
Understanding shifts in the habitats of useful and threatened species under climate change and how well protected areas (PAs) preserve these habitats is relevant for guiding sustainable management actions. Here we assessed potential changes in the suitable habitats of Mimusops andongensis and M. kummel as well as changes in habitats covered by PAs, in Benin, under climate change scenarios. Fifty seven occurrence points were collected for M. andongensis and 81 for M. kummel. Associations with 19 bioclimatic (from WorldClim database) and six soil variables (from World Soil Information website) were analyzed using niche modelling and gap analysis. Predictions showed affinity of suitable areas with water lines, suggesting that components of soil texture and chemical properties should be considered during modelling. For M. andongensis suitable areas are confined to the Guineo- Congolian zone, while for M. kummel they are mostly located in the Guineo-Sudanian zone and absent from the driest part of the Sudanian zone. Under climate change, moderately to highly suitable areas (probability of occurrence of species > 20%) covered by PAs will decrease in the case of M. andongensis, but remain stable for M. kummel. In Benin, PAs are under threat from exploitation and uncontrolled bushfires, which may also affect populations of the two species. Consequently, additional actions are required, including the monitoring of species populations and the extent of different pressures, and the regularization of access to PAs. Populations of these species outside PAs should also be given consideration because of their very limited abundance.
- Climate Change and Climatology
Location: Webinar
Session Introduction
Girma Asefa Bogale
Lecturer and Researcher at Haramaya University, Ethiopia
Title: Impacts of Climate Variability and Moisture Stress; A Causal Factor of Transmission COVID-19 Pandemic and its Inducing Agricultural Productivity in Ethiopia
Biography:
Girma Asefa has his expertise in evaluation and passion in improving the health and wellbeing and to reducing the power of moisture stress on the suspectable of COVID-19 which is the major challenges and obstacle of reducing agricultural production. Her open and contextual evaluation of impacts assessment based on responsive constructivists creates new pathways for improving healthcare and increasing agricultural production sustainable of climate change. He has built this perception and awareness to the local community after years of experience of gathering information from in research, evaluation, teaching and administration both in hospital and education institutions.
Abstract:
COVID-19 pandemic is a current outbreak in almost all parts of the world including Ethiopia influencing the socio-economy of people and mostly threatening the agriculture and food security of the least developed countries. Health crisis due to the pandemic, they could divert attention from agriculture sector and adversely affect the food and nutrition security of the Country by disrupting food supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc in countries across the globe, causing health emergency and forcing economies to slow down due to the strict quarantine measures. Suitable climate and weather environments are essential for the survival, reproduction, distribution and transmission of disease pathogens, vectors, and hosts. Ethiopia has a high incidence of climate-sensitive diseases and increased temperatures will likely expand the range of malaria to highland areas and increased flooding will facilitate the spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and moisture stress were significantly overcome COVID-19. Climate change currently contributes to the global burden of disease and premature deaths.
- Climate Change
Location: Webinar
Session Introduction
Abrham Belay Mekonnen
Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Title: Analysis of Climate Variability and Trends in Southern Ethiopia
Biography:
Abrham Belay is an assistant professor at Hawassa University, Ethiopia, PhD student at Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Nairobi, Kenya and graduate fellow with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI Africa), at World Agroforestry Center(ICRAF). Currently he is a visiting PhD student at University of Bonn, Germany. His research interest encompasses the socio-economic aspect of natural resource management, agriculturally productivity and climate change and adaptation. He has authored and co-authored refereed journal articles
Abstract:
This study investigated seasonal and annual trends and variability of rainfall and temperature in southern Ethiopia using time series station data for the period 1983-2016. Standard Anomaly Index (SAI), Coefficient of Variation (CV), Precipitations Concentration Index (PCI), and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) were employed to evaluate rainfall variability and produce drought indices. Temporal changes of rainfall trends over the observed period were detected using Mann Kendall (MK) trend test and Sen’s slope estimator. The results showed that the region experienced considerable rainfall variability and change that caused extended drought and flooding events over the observed period. SAI and SPI results indicated an average inter-annual rainfall variability with the proportions of years with below and with above rainfall distribution estimated at 55.90% and 44.10% respectively. The Mann Kendall trend analysis result indicated an increasing trend of rainfall for annual, Kiremt (summer) and Bega (dry) seasons whereas the Belg (spring) season rainfall significantly declined at (P<0.05) significant level. The rate of change for annual mean, maximum and minimum temperature in the study area was 0.0420C, 0.0270C, and 0.0560C respectively. The findings of this study could serve as an entry point for decision-makers to take possible interventions in response to rainfall and temperature variations that improves adaptation and mitigation measures at different levels.
- Pollution and Climate Change
Location: Webinar
Session Introduction
Emmanuel Oppong Peprah
1. Oppong Peprah, E. (2020). The Impact of High-Performance Work Systems on Employee Engagement: The Moderating Role of Organizational Justice. Business Excellence and Management,
Title: Reward for Wrongdoing: Changing Motivation Tactics to Influence Human Behaviour
Biography:
Dr. Emmanuel Oppong Peprah is a researcher who is very passionate about employee issues and also have a huge interest in climate change and pollution-related studies.
Abstract:
There has always been a cordial relationship between human beings and nature. Whereas humans treat nature with respect and approached the earth with responsible behavior, the earth reciprocated the gesture with the abundant provision of all human needs. However, this relationship has been marred mainly because of human activities. The level of irresponsibility in terms of pollutants and blatant disregard for common precautionary measures in the handling of the gifts nature has given human beings has led to a host of catastrophes the inhabitants of the earth must endure. Although there have been several campaigns and advocacies all over the world to guide human behavior to stop polluting the environment, these pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Hence, the aim of this study was to find and suggest a suitable solution which if implemented, will change the bad and pollution-causing attitude of people. Therefore, by the use of the Cognitive Evaluation Theory, this paper proposes that wrongdoing should be extrinsically awarded with the plan to gradually take away the award remuneration which will lead to the removal of former intrinsic motivation to do the wrong things and eventually win the war on man-made pollution of this planet. Although unusual, it is the writer’s firm belief that such a radical educational campaign will guide people to respond responsibly to end or lessen the degradation of the earth. That is, the researcher of this paper believes that introducing extrinsic motivators to motivate people into doing the wrong things that are plaguing our planet and taking the extrinsic motivators away gradually will also take away the intrinsic motivation people have. In effect, extrinsically rewarding people (for example cash price) for doing the wrong thing and gradually taking away the reward will take away the intrinsic motivation to do the wrong thing.