In the face of escalating threats to human health, food security, and ecological sustainability due to climate change, particularly in marginalized and vulnerable communities globally, urgent actions are imperative. This chapter addresses the pressing need for initiatives that mitigate adverse climatic impacts and align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a specific focus on food and health outcomes. Recognizing the intricate and multidimensional impact of climate change on these vital aspects of human well-being, there is a growing call for an integrated, science-based approach. The proposed approach advocates for a harmonious marriage of scientific knowledge and local wisdom to address access inequities through agroecology, thereby mitigating the impact of climate change on development-constrained communities. The overarching goal is to pave the way for healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food systems.
TopBackground Study
The global shift toward achieving net-zero emissions necessitates substantial transformations at societal and industrial levels. Governments and corporations are increasingly turning to technological innovations as a key avenue to meet ambitious net-zero targets (Miller, 2020). Within this context, digital technologies emerge as promising tools to address complex societal challenges associated with climate change (George, Merrill, & Schillebeeckx, 2021). A report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), co-authored with PwC and titled “Harnessing Technology for the Global Goals,” underscores the significant role that digital technology can play in enhancing resilience to global warming-related hazards, reducing emissions, and empowering humanity to realize net-zero objectives. The report specifically highlights the potential for digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to automate and improve the efficiency of industrial, manufacturing, and agricultural processes, potentially contributing to a 4% reduction in global emissions by 2030 (World Economic Forum & PwC, 2021).
However, the discourse on digital technologies and net-zero goals also acknowledges the negative consequences associated with widespread technological usage, particularly concerning waste products, resource consumption, and CO2 emissions. Instances such as the substantial energy consumption of vast bitcoin mining farms, accounting for 121.36 terawatt-hours per year, underscore the dual nature of rapid technological advancement, presenting both solutions and potential barriers to achieving net-zero targets by 2050 (CBECI, 2021; Mora et al., 2018). Academic literature has started to delve into the debates surrounding the convergence of digital technologies and net-zero imperatives. Studies explore the positive contributions of digital technologies while also adopting a reflective perspective, acknowledging the drawbacks of their rapid adoption (George et al., 2021; Merrill et al., 2019). Despite providing insights into significant challenges and barriers from a digital perspective, the existing discourse remains diverse and disparate, lacking a comprehensive contribution from a wider, more informed, and multi-perspective context. This study aims to fill this gap by offering individual discussions on various interrelated sub-topics within the digital technology and climate change discourse. Each invited expert contributes a unique insight, unraveling the complexities and dependencies inherent in achieving net-zero by 2050.