제 20 호 The Difficulties of Farmers and Fishermen due to Climate Change
Kicker: SOCIETY
The Difficulties of Farmers and Fishermen due to Climate Change
By Su-Young Kim, Reporter /kimsuyoung1342@gmail.com
Recently, climate change has become serious due to global warming. El Nino and La Nina have intensified and extreme climates such as heat waves and heavy rains have been going on for years, and this climate change also affects our lives. In particular, the impact on farmers and fishermen is serious. They are so damaged that they cannot sell agricultural and fishery products.
The climate crisis threatens farmers' human rights. This means that farmers' right to live and health are seriously violated due to changes in the farming environment and the introduction of new climate policies due to climate change. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) recently released the results of a survey on the climate crisis and the human rights of farmers and fishermen. First, it was confirmed that while working hours and production costs increased, production decreased, survival through agriculture became difficult. The “right to live”, which constitutes human rights, is violated. Respondents answered questions related to the right to live (3.28 points out of 4 points) with "reduced crop and livestock production (3.28 points out of 4 points)," "increased additional costs (3.18 points out of 4 points) to maintain crop and livestock production," and "reduced time to work due to extreme heat and cold (3.03 points out of 4 points)." The 'right to health', another component of human rights, was also threatened. According to the survey, "health damage caused by heat waves and cold waves" was the worst with 3 points out of 4 points, and "damage from infectious diseases caused by rising temperatures (2.93 points out of 4 points)" and "stress or depression caused by heat waves, cold waves, and floods (2.76 points out of 4 points)" were also problems. Due to climate change, heavy rains, typhoons, and hail continue to flood crops, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to live.
Bacterial soft rot
http://www.agrinet.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=312224
How about aquaculture? Aquaculture fishermen have suffered enormous damage over the past six years due to high temperatures and red tides caused by climate change. According to data received and analyzed by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) by the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Committee, the average water temperature rose 4.77 degrees in August this year compared to last year. The high-temperature special report began in mid-July, and it was revealed that eight times were issued, five more than last year (3 times). In addition to such high-water temperatures, the low water temperature caused by the winter cold wave causes fish to die collectively, and fishermen cannot sell fish.
Fish mortality
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20230818040600052
Rural areas are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to population aging and poor environmental services. Therefore, rural areas should pursue sustainable agriculture and fisheries by preparing countermeasures against climate change. Climate change causes unexpected climatic conditions, which may result in reduced crop yields or poor quality. To prepare for this, innovative agricultural technologies such as developing new crop varieties or improving the production methods of existing crops are needed. For example, we need to develop climate-adapted crop varieties to enable more efficient production. In addition, methods such as creating agricultural waterways or introducing recycling systems for agricultural water should be considered for water management. Also, soil management requires efforts such as activating organic agriculture and maintaining the nutrition of the soil. We need the education and support of farmers and fishers; education and support are needed to increase adaptability to climate change Farmers need to be informed about climate change and be able to learn how to respond accordingly Governments and communities should also come up with systems and policies to support farmers and help them respond to climate change in the agricultural sector.
The lives of farmers and fishermen are closely related to our lives. If crops are not harvested and caught properly, we may not see many ingredients on the table. If the price of ingredients rises and the price of food rises, our lives can also be damaged, so we must listen to the pain of farmers and fishermen and find ways to help them continuously.
