Climate change part of bigger threat to humans
Express India 29 August 2007
AHMEDABAD, INDIA: “Globalisation and global change have disrupted human existence irreversibly and are continuing to erode sustainable practices of living in a big way,” said PS Ramakrishnan in a talk about ‘Global Change, Globalisation And Sustainability Of Socio-ecological Systems’. Ramakrishnan described how traditional knowledge systems of the natives have been jilted by custodians of western, “formal” knowledge. Citing an example of communities in Sikkim, he explained how traditional knowledge systems are the most valuable resources and need to be preserved. “Instead of growing one crop at a time as prescribed by advanced systems of agriculture, people in north-eastern states often grow as many as 35 different crops in a single plot of land. Not only does this system increase biodiversity, it ensures soil fertility and nutrient supply.” It is not just good for the crops but also for ecological systems and the people. More…
