The 29th of May is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, established in 1948 when the first UN peacekeeping mission took place. UN peacekeepers work to protect hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in the world’s most fragile political and security situations.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggests that ‘in the last 60 years, at least 40 per cent of all intrastate conflicts have a link to natural resources.’ This association doubles the risk of conflicts. The main dangers that may trigger them are the exploitation of natural resources and the scarce ones, like fertile land and water. The lack of resources is also due to climate change. While the latter is not a direct source of conflict, it acts like a “threat multiplier” that exacerbates resource scarcity and existing vulnerabilities.
Climate change affects different sectors, amongst which, of course, agriculture. In this context, the relationships between farmers are a source of concern. Due to the issues linked to the exploitation or scarcity of natural resources, those relationships may become increasingly tense rather than leading to much needed collaboration.
We are committed to using Farmer Charlie to promote equality, to create situations where the willingness to grow together and the availability of equal opportunities are fostered.
Obtaining a fair distribution of wealth is not easy, and one way to achieve it can be to empower farmers and help them develop autonomy. This process requires providing farmers with all the information they need to do their job independently, and with knowledge of new agricultural techniques, which can be useful for enhancing their yield and reducing waste. This is where Farmer Charlie fits in. Farmer Charlie uses sensors and satellite communication for localised and real-time information, and a peering education approach for a common goal, which is to help farmers grow.
We strive to obtain the invaluable benefits of a society that is aware of the problems linked to climate change and acts to respond to these needs, for instance, by using water and pesticides responsibly.
This can also lead to an incrementation in the production, necessary to ensure food for all and general well-being. Today, more than ever, we cannot underestimate the importance of working in a conscious environment, making the most of the resources we have at our disposal without wasting them.
-Margherita Magnini