SGP International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

The present challenges to ensure secure and safe supplies of food, feed, fiber, water, and energy for the world’s population are immense. The ability of the Earth to sustain humankind is under tremendous pressure - from greenhouse gas emissions, population growth, degradation of water supplies, and the depletion of non-renewable, natural resources. Agriculture - the foundation of modern civilization - supports culture, economic progress, and human dignity. Humankind cannot ignore the call to rationally, equitably, and efficiently steward the Earth’s limited natural resources by using sound agricultural practices.

The purpose of the Conference is to provide an international forum for scientists and researchers in the field of sustainable agriculture to exchange information and achievements, to ascertain the challenges of the future, and to offer ideas for agricultural practices “that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The next G8 Summit will be held in Lake Toya, near Sapporo, in Hokkaido, Japan on July 7-9, 2008. Important topics to be discussed at this summit include sustainability and environmental issues, empathizing global warming and climate change. Hokkaido University has decided to schedule a Summit Week of International Symposiums, Workshops and Forums for July 2-6, 2008. This offers an excellent opportunity to announce SGP-ICSA’s appeal to the world, which will be reflected in the output of the conference. The conference will issue the "Sapporo Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment".