QUANTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF URBAN AND PERI

URBAN AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, SRI LANKA ON CLIMATE

CHANGE

C. Semasinghe, N. Jayathilake, H.Manthrithilake, K. Jinapala, R. Ariyaratne

Climate Change Climate change is caused due to absorption

of infrared radiation by green house gases (GHGs) which slows its escape from the atmosphere

Main consequences of Climate change are global warming, change in cloud cover & precipitation, melting ice caps & glaciers, reducing snow cover etc

It has serious impacts on economy, health & safety, food production and food security

Climate Change in Global Picture

How it affects Sri LankaSri Lanka is an agricultural economic based

developing countryCC causes change in temp, extreme weather

events such as high intensity rainfall followed by flash floods & landslides and extended dry periods causing water scarcity which directly influences crop & livestock production, hydrologic balances, input supplies etc

Why urban Agriculture & Forestry (UPAF)

Urban areas are more vulnerable to CC due to high population, deforestation and urban heat island effect

Urban agriculture is a viable solution as a mitigation measure to CC as well as it contributes to the economical development of the country

How UPAF contribute to adapt CC Reduce food milesReduce fertilizer miles

Other advantages ;Green environmentMicro climate

environmentClean airAesthetic valueReduce soil erosionSolid waste management

How to MonitorGood monitoring mechanism has to be

introduced to demonstrate the results of the project

has to be done in two folds To monitor the success of the project To monitor its impacts on climate change

Record maintaining for the Lessons learnt in order to replicate the project elsewhere

Monitoring Mechanism1. Impacts on Climate Change

Collect and plot data for at least 10 years of time period

Monitoring indicators are daily temperature, daily precipitation, frequency of flooding an frequency of drought

2. Progress of the project Food ( Qty, Price) Fertilizer ( cost of fertilizing) Energy ( bio gas production) Water resources ( rainwater harvesting,reusing

wastewater) Aesthetic value ( increase in land value & bio diversity)

Monitoring Mechanism ctd…3. Other indicators

Solid waste management ( reusing disposable materials such as plastic bottles, vessels etc)

Institutional changes ( in terms of capacity & commitment for planning, implementing and sustaining the project)

Quantification of potential impacts of UPAF on Climate Change

Development interventions

Contribution of UPAF to CC Mitigation and Adaptation

Contribution of UPAF to Reduce Food/ Fertilizer/Fuel miles

Indicator to Measure

Food

Development of Home Gardens

Temperature, GHG emissions, Urban heat island effect, Heat waves, Rainfall, C sequestration, minimize storm water runoff

Increase of UPAF food production and income

Household income and savingsMonthly expenditure on food

Vertical gardens Transporting, storing, refrigerating(cost/ volumes)

Introduction of new Cropping patterns

Food prices

Increase agro forestry cover

Food waste

Reuse non-biodegradable solid waste as cultivate vessels (bottles, plastic bags, etc.)

Collection/transport of SW Number/extent of dumpsites/ cost of collection and disposal of SWSun light intensity meter

Fresh water fish production (Inland ponds)

Increase in UPAF fish Monthly expenditure on fish Transporting, storing, refrigerating fish(cost/ volumes)

Development interventions

Contribution of UPAF to CC Mitigation and Adaptation

Contribution of UPAF to Reduce Food/ Fertilizer/Fuel miles

Indicator to Measure

Fertilizer

Composting GHG emissions, Reuse of waste

Fertilizer replaced by compost Fertilizer( Quantity, cost)

Transport of fertilizer Cost incurred for fertilizer transporting

Collection of SW Labour and other related costs to collect SW

Transport of solid waste Fuel needs for transporting SW

soil quality C-N ratio, soil water retention capacity

Cost of rehabilitating dump sites

Number/ extent of dump sites/ Area freed for UPAF

Erosion control & soil improvement measures

Minimize degradation of soil, minimize storm water run off

Soil quality C-N ratio, soil water retention capacity

Energy

Bio Gas production GHG emissions, Reuse of waste

Reduction of domestic fuel needs(LP gas/wood)

Household energy cost/ Dependability on CEB electricity supply

Promotion of use of fire wood

Use of energy saving Stoves(saw dust and other waste as fuel)

Collection/transport of SW Cost of collection and disposal of SW

Development interventions

Contribution of UPAF to CC Mitigation and Adaptation

Contribution of UPAF to Reduce Food/ Fertilizer/Fuel miles

Indicator to Measure

Water Resources

Wastewater/Grey water irrigation

Mitigate floods, water scarcity, Droughts, Erosion

More water resilient cities Area of water retention

Ground water development Monthly water bill

Rainwater harvesting Water treatment cost

Labour days

Management of storm water drainage

Storm water O&M cost reductionDisaster relief cost

Aesthetic ValueEco forestry Temperature, GHG

emmissions,Urban heat island effect, Heat waves, wind erosion

Reduction of energy to cool( A/C,Fans)

Land use maps( forestry)

Wind/ shelter belts Attraction of tourists/ new citizens

Institutional Changes

Institutional audit and capacity building

Empowering institutes to adapt and mitigate CC impacts

Institutional changes to reduce food/fertilizer/fuel miles

Gender

Greater involvement of women in UPAF(individuals, groups etc.)

Empower women to adapt to CC

Self-reliance on local food Involvement of women in UPAF( number of individuals, groups etc.)

Thank you