World Conference of Science Journalists 2011

DOHA: Diversifying the economy, substantial investment in education and technology, and integrated policies are some of the solutions to the energy, water and food crises threatening the world, according to experts at the ongoing World Conference of Science Journalists 2011.

The session on ‘Energy, Water and Food Nexus: The Science of Optimisation and Sustainability’, discussed the link between energy, food and water resources and the initiatives to tackle the looming global problem with particular focus on Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP).

As water tables fall globally, land degradation expands, and the world’s population grows to 8-9 billion by 2050, enhanced natural resources management will be essential to increase sustainable agricultural production and to improve global food security.

For Dr Christian Mersmann, Executive Director, Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, it is a question not only of food security or huge import but also a question of food sovereignty.

Dr Mersmann cited Africa as an example where food can be produced but at the same time imports billions of dollars worth of food for its population. He said the science community should include the economic valuation of land in their research agenda and that governments should invest substantially in developing initiatives such as sustainable water management. “Investment in education and technology like what Qatar is doing is very important,” he said.

Illustrating the relationship between water and energy, Tony Allan, Head of London Water Research Group, King’s College London and SOAS, said in California vast amounts of energy are used in water pumping, treatment and heating. “Wasting water or energy is a bit of a crime,” he stressed, adding huge amount of water consumed every day is associated with food so it is imperative for consumers to avoid wasting food. “Farmers and traders are important but most important are the consumers because if they eat sensibly and don’t throw 30 percent their food which they do, this will definitely alleviate the problem.”

On food importation, he said it is normal but diversifying a country’s economy is an effective solution to the problem.

Dr Rabi Mohtar, Executive Director, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, said there are three issues facing water and energy in the Middle East, which includes the location, lack of awareness and integrated policies.

The region has the highest water consumption in the world and is expected to receive the most severe impact of climate change, he said adding a major cause is the people’s ‘wasteful culture’. “We consume more than we should,” he said. Among the solutions he suggested is for governments to have political will, an integrated policy on water, energy and food, and clean energy.

Dr Patrick Linke, Chief Engineer at QNFSP, said new and efficient technology will play a big role in the implementation of initiatives such as Qatar’s. “All technologies like solar and desalination which are all proven ones, are not any uncertainty but developing an efficient system governed by policies that allow synergies to take place naturally across all sectors,” he said.

Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Chairman, QNFSP, outlined Qatar’s ambitious programme set to work out a sustainable solution to an impending problem of food security in the country.

THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Food security is an immense global challenge and countries should implement their own programmes to tackle the looming crisis, according to a Qatari official at the ongoing World Conference of Science Journalists 2011 held at Qatar Foundation.

“We have seen what had in Egypt and the underlying cause of this is primarily food. The state simply subsidised food at a greater degree and controlled prices,” said Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiya, Chairman, Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) during a session yesterday.

Responding to a query, Attiyah said he doesn’t see any reason why there would be political obstruction for programmes seeking to attain food security specifically in the region, and in fact it is being encouraged.

“Every country should have their own food security programmes but learn from other countries’ experiences,” he said, adding with increase in population, exporting countries will have to export less to provide food for their own population.

He emphasised that with 90 percent of its food being imported from other countries, there is an urgent need for Qatar to implement a sustainable programme which is the QNFSP.

“QNFSP is a multi-agency programme involving 17 agencies, which seeks to offer lasting solution to make Qatar food secure,” explained Attiyah, adding it touches on 21 sectors such as R&D, energy, education, agriculture, water, and technical industries.

Attiyah said after four years of designing the the QNFSP master plan, it would be implemented by the end of 2013 and achieve its objectives by 2023.

The programme will be using new technology, which at present is expensive but vital for the country to overcome this problem which, according to Attiyah threatens not only Qataris but mostly the expatriates who comprise majority of the country’s population.

“We have a huge number of expatriates, who are driving our economy. We have to take food security seriously because we can possibly lose a great number of them if they decide to return home,” he said.

The programme will be sustainable and consider the environment in its implementation such as putting up a solar powered desalination plant and developing agriculture industry using traditional methods and modern techniques.

“When we produce food, we want to make sure we protect biodiversity. Through the use of solar energy, we will cut CO2 emission.”

The Peninsula