On September 15th, the 2026 ‘Climate x’ Leadership Training Program, hosted by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, successfully held the fifth live session, focusing on climate x food & biodiversity

Prof. Jenna Lawrence is a conservation biologist and behavioral ecologist whose work covers the intersection of biodiversity, climate change, and other sustainability topics. In this session, she will cover how agriculture is both contributing to and being affected by climate change, with a focus on biodiversity (e.g., crop genetic diversity, pollination, nutrient cycling, land-use change/deforestation).

During the lecture, Prof. Lawrence explored the deep interconnections between climate change, biodiversity loss, and food systems. Drawing on extensive international research, she explained how biodiversity provides essential ecosystem services, including pollination, pest control, soil health, and carbon sequestration, that underpin global agricultural productivity. She warned that modern intensive farming has drastically reduced genetic diversity in staple crops such as bananas, corn, and wheat, rendering them highly vulnerable to pests and climate shocks. Citing a Price water house Coopers report that 55% of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature, she demonstrated how industrial food systems simultaneously drive deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. In the end, she concluded that climate-smart agricultural practices offer a powerful dual solution, advancing both climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation to foster resilient, sustainable food systems.

The 2026 Climate x Leadership Training Program, hosted by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), and strategically supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and GAUC's global partners, aims to empower youth with the knowledge, skills, and tools to become the climate leaders of tomorrow. The program inspires participants to envision a sustainable future, take meaningful action, and unlock their potential as leaders for a carbon-neutral future.

Enter the next session, Dr. Rohini Mattoo from Indian Institute of Science will join us on September 17th, sharing her point of view on whither we can transform food landscapes for the well-being of all.

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