United Nations Climate Summit

For the first time ever, food and agriculture took center stage at the annual United Nations climate conference in 2023. More than 150 countries signed a declaration, committing to make their food systems – everything from production to consumption – a focal point in national strategies to address climate change. While the declaration is thin on concrete actions to adapt to climate change and reduce emissions, it draws attention to a crucial issue. The global food supply is increasingly facing disruptions from extreme heat and storms. It is also a major contributor to climate change, responsible for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. This tension is why agriculture innovation is increasingly being elevated in international climate discussions. Farmers work in a field during monsoon rains in Madhya Pradesh, India. Rajarshi Mitra via Flickr, CC BY-ND At presen...