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IHDP

UPDATE

N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L H U M A N D I M E N S I O N S P R O G R A M M E O N G LO B A L E N V I R O N M E N TA L C H A N G E

01/2005

ISSN 1727-155X

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, GLOBALIZATION, AND FOOD SYSTEMS

FO CUS: FOOD SYSTEMS AND GLOBALIZATION

C

Photo by Hallie Eakin

K AREN O’B RIEN AND R OBIN L EICHENKO

➤ Food systems are undergoing dramatic transformations as the result of both globalization and global environmental change. Global environmental change is altering the physical and socioeconomic conditions that underpin terrestrial and marine food systems. At the same time, globalization is transforming the production and storage of food, the movement and trade of food, access to and consumption of food, and the quality and safety of food. Both processes are having direct effects on agricultural production, livelihoods, and the viability of rural, agricultural economies. More important, both processes are occurring together and interacting to create dynamic conditions that influence vulnerability to both rapid and gradual environmental changes. Furthermore, many facets of globalization may be accelerating rather than reducing environmental changes. Global environmental change affects food systems through the loss of productive farmland, depletion of traditional seed stocks, loss of biodiversity, and changing climate conditions, including increasing frequency of extreme climatic events such as droughts and floods. Globalization-related changes include liberalization of trade in agriculture products, reduction of domestic subsidies and supports for agricultural production, expansion of the role of multinational corporations and supermarkets in food production and distribution, shifts toward urban and industrial land uses, and the growing influence of consumer movements in matters such as use of GMO technologies. Together, the two processes create substantial challenges for environmental and economic sustainability. From a research perspective, it is important to recognize and assess the interactions between global environmental change and globalization, including how ➤

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O N T E N T S

1

Global Environmental Change, Globalization, and Food Systems | Karen O’Brien & Robin Leichenko

2

Editorial

4

Subsistence Maize Production and Maize Liberalization in Mexico | Hallie Eakin & Kirsten Appendini

6

Globalization and Food Systems: A Holistic Perspective | Mahendra M. Shah

8

Food Production and Land-Use Change from the Andes to the Amazon Region: The Case of Settlements in Bolivia | Carlos A. Ruiz-Garvia

9

Responding to Environmental Threats and Food Insecurity in Lake Victoria Basin, Western Kenya: Local and Regional Initiatives | Marie Rarieya

11

Free Trade, Rural Livelihoods and Sustainable Development: Comparative Study of Corn Production under NAFTA in Mexico and Rice Production in Vietnam under the New Trade Liberalization | Thanh Vo

12

Vulnerability to Natural Disasters in Rural Mexico and Emigration | Sergio O. Saldaña-Zorilla

14

From Generic Indices to Adaptive Agents: Shifting Foci in Assessing Vulnerability to the Combined Impacts of Climate Change and Globalization | Lilibeth Acosta-Michlik & Mark Rounsevell

16

Climate Change Mitigation Policies with Focus on Land-Use in Transition Countries | Livia Bizikova

17

Global Environmental Change Institute on Globalization and Food Systems: A Report on the Workshop and Science-Policy Forum | Valerie Schulz & Maarit Thiem

18

Sustainability Foresight: Methods for Reflexive Governance in the Transformation of Utility Systems | Jan-Peter Voss

21

National Committees: IHDP Gets a Strong Foothold in China

21

In Brief

23

Meeting Calendar, Publications

W W W. I H D P. O R G I H D P U p d a t e i s p u b l i s h e d b y t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l H u m a n D i m e n s i o n s P r o g r a m m e o n G l o b a l E n v i r o m e n t a l C h a n g e ( I H D P ) , Wa l t e r - F l e x - S t r. 3 , 5 3 1 1 3 B o n n , G e r m a n y, V. i . S . d. P. : U l a L ö w


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