Global population growth is looming as a bigger threat to the world's food
production and water supplies than climate change, a leading scientist says.
Speaking at a CSIRO public lecture in Canberra yesterday, UNESCO's chief of
sustainable water resources development, Professor Shahbaz Khan, said
overpopulation's impacts were potentially more economically, socially and
environmentally destructive than those of climate change.
''Climate change is one of a number of stresses we're facing, but it's
overshadowed by global population growth and the amount of water, land and
energy needed to grow food to meet the projected increase in population. We are
facing a world population crisis.''
In the past four years, the price of rice in Thailand had risen from $A200 a
tonne to $A800 a tonne, and India had banned rice exports in a bid to ensure the
country had sufficient supplies of this staple food, Professor Khan said.
''It would be a mistake for Australia's governments to assume they can adapt to
declining water availability within the Murray-Darling Basin by deciding staple
crops like wheat and rice can be grown in other countries. We need smarter ways
to improve water efficiencies so we can continue to grow those crops.''
Before taking up the UNESCO post in Paris earlier this year which involves
supervising sustainable water development projects in 190 countries Professor
Khan led CSIRO's irrigation systems research and was founding director of the
international centre for food security at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.
The city's mayor farewelled him with a public reception, praising his passion
and commitment to water reform and his role in championing rural communities.
Yesterday, Professor Khan called for debate on national water reform to be
''opened up to include a genuine diversity of opinion'', claiming scientists
''are worried about being crucified'' by governments if they express dissenting
views.
''Scientists are fearful, to be honest,'' he said.
Many politicians were out of touch with crucial livelihood issues facing rural
Australia, particularly poverty and the loss of jobs in communities built on
wealth generated by irrigated food production.
''There is a disconnect and mistrust. You have politicians and scientists from
the big cities coming up with ideas and warning of painful decision, but they're
not bringing the communities who will be affected into the discussion.
''In my experience, irrigators are not vandals: they're trying to make a living
for their families, often faced with great hardships, and have made a lot of
effort to achieve water efficiencies. We should celebrate some of the successes
achieved by our farmers, because there have been stunning successes in the
Murray-Darling Basin.''
Australia must also think about the future social and environmental implications
of its ''population footprint''.
He said, ''It's not something that should happen by an act of God. It has to be
an informed decision about geographic spread and location, about benefits for
indigenous communities, for river systems and wetlands. It's a big exercise and
needs to be done very carefully.''