We badly need a voice to represent agriculture and food in the international negotiations on climate change. The launch of the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture in New York this week offers an opportunity for that voice to be heard. It needs to be a moderate voice, taking account of practical and economic concerns as well as environmental and social ones. What a pity, then, to read the open letter from so many NGO's who would rather criticise the new organisation than become involved with it - which might risk them having to make some compromises in their policies. Compromise and open discussion is needed on all sides of the debate. The challenges are too big and the time to meet them too short not to become fully involved and for NGO's to get their hands dirty, rather than to stand carping on the sidelines.
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