By Moloy S. Baruah, M. Mokidul Islam & M. Sarma
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with profound implications for the environment, biodiversity, and human societies. Scientists have identified nine “planetary boundaries” that define the safe operating space for humanity within Earth’s environmental systems. These boundaries provide a framework to understand how human activities are pushing the planet’s systems to their limits, risking irreversible damage. The nine planetary boundaries are:
Climate Change: This boundary highlights the increasing levels of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), in the atmosphere, which leads to global warming. Human activities, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels are driving temperature increases and causing extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heat waves.
Biodiversity Loss: The destruction of habitats, overexploitation of species, and pollution are causing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity. This threatens the stability of ecosystems, food security, and essential resources that humans rely on for survival.
Land-Use Change: Converting forests and natural landscapes into agricultural land disrupts ecosystems, leading to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and reduced carbon sequestration. These changes are exacerbating the effects of climate change.
Freshwater Use: The excessive extraction of freshwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic use is leading to the depletion of water bodies and contributing to water scarcity, which is a growing global concern.
Biogeochemical Flows: Human activities, especially industrial farming, have altered the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. This disruption leads to nutrient pollution, which harms water quality, soil health, and overall ecosystem functioning.
Ocean Acidification: The absorption of excess carbon dioxide by oceans is lowering their pH, which poses a significant threat to marine life, particularly coral reefs and shellfish, which rely on calcium carbonate to survive.
Atmospheric Aerosol Loading: Particulate matter from industries and agriculture affects both climate and human health. Aerosols can influence cloud formation, alter weather patterns, and worsen air quality.
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: The breakdown of the ozone layer, caused primarily by human-made chemicals, increases Earth’s exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation, which leads to serious health and environmental impacts.
Novel Entities: The introduction of new synthetic substances, such as plastics, chemicals, and genetically modified organisms, is having unknown but potentially harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.
Among these planetary boundaries, climate change stands out as the most immediate and global concern, with agriculture playing a central role in both exacerbating and mitigating its effects. Women farmers, particularly in developing regions, are pivotal in combating climate change. They constitute a large proportion of the agricultural workforce but often face barriers such as limited access to resources, technology, and decision-making power. Nevertheless, they are not only at the forefront of managing agricultural systems but also serve as key agents in mitigating climate impacts. They possess invaluable knowledge of local ecosystems and traditional farming practices that enhance sustainability. Many women farmers engage in biodiversity conservation, cultivating a wide range of crops and livestock that are more resilient to climate fluctuations. Their expertise in agro-ecology, using sustainable practices like crop rotation, soil conservation, and organic farming, helps to build resilience against extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. Moreover, women farmers are increasingly advocating for climate-smart agriculture (CSA), a set of practices aimed at adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. CSA includes techniques such as water-efficient irrigation systems, drought-resistant crop varieties, and agro-forestry, all of which reduce the reliance on harmful chemicals and enhance soil fertility and water conservation. These methods not only address the challenges of climate change but also combat environmental degradation, helping to preserve natural resources for future generations. Empowering women farmers is essential for maximizing their role in combating climate change. When women are granted access to education, financial support, land rights, and advanced agricultural technologies, they can significantly enhance food security and climate resilience in their communities. Providing women with these tools also promotes gender equality, ensuring that they have the opportunity to lead sustainable agricultural practices. On International Women’s Day, we honor the critical contributions of women farmers who are at the forefront of the battle against climate change. Despite facing numerous challenges, including systemic gender inequalities, women in agriculture play a crucial role in fostering sustainability, preserving biodiversity, and adapting to climate change. Their deep knowledge of traditional farming practices and their advocacy for climate-smart agriculture make them champions of both the planet and their communities. Empowering women farmers is not only key to addressing climate change but also vital for building a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Today, we celebrate their leadership and unyielding dedication to creating a better world for future generations.
(The writers are officials at the ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya)
