Eco Events: A conference on the topic: “Climate Change, Agriculture, and Landscapes: Opportunities or Disasters?”

[Press Release] - Published on October 14, 2025 in the Press Room

As part of the “Rendez-vous de l’Éco” series, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Montpellier is organizing a conference on the theme: “ Climate Change, Agriculture, and Landscapes: Opportunities or Disasters?” on Tuesday, November 4, starting at 6:00 p.m., on the Richter Campus at the Faculty of Economics.

Why this conference?

In the face of major climate disruptions (the April 2021 frost, the drought and heat waves of 2022, and excessive rainfall between 2023 and 2024), Serge Zaka analyzes the changes underway and proposes strategies for adaptation and mitigation. His goal is clear: to preserve sustainable, resilient, and productive agriculture to ensure France’s food independence by 2050.

Solutions do exist, and they are multifaceted:

• Genetics for more resilient varieties,
• Optimized irrigation and water resource management,
• The Role of Trees and Hedgerows in Regulating the Agricultural Climate,
• Microclimate management and regenerative hydrology to restore soil fertility,
• Adaptation of agricultural practices and reorganization of production areas.

But these initiatives require strong political support to address the challenges of a changing world, where agricultural issues are intertwined with geopolitical tensions and food crises.

Speaker

Serge ZAKA, an agronomist with a Ph.D. in agroclimatology, is a recognized expert on the impact of climate change on agriculture. As the founder of AgroClimat2050, he focuses on the scientific analysis of field crops, vegetable farming, arboriculture, viticulture, and livestock farming. His motto: anticipate.

Known to the general public for his commitment to popularizing science, he is also a storm chaser, winner of the 2021 award for the world’s most beautiful photograph, and a featured guest in numerous documentaries. He is the author of the first comic book dedicated to agroclimatology, *Dr. Zarge and Agroclimatology*, as well as his biography, to be published by HarperCollins: *Storms Over the Climate*.