A recent UN report states that climate changes are taking place in every region across the globe. The evolving world has been disproportionately affected and the impacts of an altering climate are paving the way for greater water and food insecurity and also economic instability.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/ Hari Mahidhar
Considering this, AgTech NEXT 2021 CLIMATE CHANGE: Seeing Things Differently, will continue on November 18, at 1 PM CST with a keynote address by Joe Cornelius, PhD, CEO, Gates Ag One, and then a panel discussion with leaders of organizations striving to develop new technologies to guarantee food security in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Being the CEO of Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations (also called Gates Ag One), Cornelius heads the measures of the organization to champion innovations and develop global networks that prioritize the requirements of smallholder farmers.
Cornelius' career started on a small, diversified family farm and he has committed his professional life to enhance the world via agricultural developments. Just recently, he headed measures to reinforce the adaptive capacity of agriculture to climate change at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he worked as a director for its Global Growth and Opportunity Division.
Cornelius has experience of over three decades in designing and launching new product innovations and has guided pioneering life-science research at various organizations, such as the Advanced Research Projects Agency in the U.S. Department of Energy. Cornelius holds a PhD and MSci degree in plant, soil and environmental science, as well as an MBA in technology entrepreneurship.
Dr. Cornelius stated, “The people most at risk from the consequences of climate change are those in the least developed parts of the world. That’s why the priorities of smallholder farmers in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia need to be at the top of our agenda. It’s only when we understand and focus on their priorities that we can develop the tools needed for the world to effectively adapt.”
Limiting the negative impact of climate change requires bold and creative action coupled with focused and sustained collaboration, especially in regions of the world that are most at risk. Gates Ag One’s presence in St. Louis amplifies the impact the Danforth Center and our local collaborators can have to address these urgent challenges.
Stephanie Regagnon, Executive Director, Innovation Partnerships, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center