With attention turning to a new climate protocol that will be decided on in Paris in 2015, an article on Live Science suggests the developing world needs to focus more on solutions that address the nexus between water, food and energy — and the deep links that now exist among national economies.

As their carbon-intensive economies rapidly expand, the BASIC countries –- Brazil, South Africa, India and China - are being pressured to cut their emissions. But these countries, along with other developing nations, have more immediate concerns, says the article, such as guaranteeing sufficient water and food to ensure their people’s survival. Climate change threatens to impact water, food and energy supplies.

Agroforestry is given as an example of a climate solution that does not require massive investments.

Agroforestry “has proven time and again to be a sustainable method for watershed management and food production that greatly enhances soil moisture persistence and drought resilience. It also sequesters additional carbon in the soil and in vegetation and is an approved UNFCC Clean Development Mechanism, which provides financial rewards for putting such methods into practice. It is a no-brainer that large-scale adoption of agroforestry can simultaneously boost water and food security for the developing world while improving those communities' carbon footprints.”

While BASIC nations have invested in developing a climate knowledge-base and better forecasting, their technology education investments have typically focused on economic growth and not necessarily on climate solutions. More investment on education is needed for climate adaptation, especially investment in women.

“All countries remain slaves to their own economic growth imperatives, underscoring the need for a solution-based strategy for COP21,” concludes the article.

Read the full story: To Cool a Warming Planet, Give Developing Countries a Voice (Op-Ed)