Ghana's High Commissioner to Britain warned that ending imports of fresh food from Africa in the name of fighting climate change could harm communities reliant on the trade. The issue of food miles, or the distance food travels from producer to consumer, has become a contentious topic as environmentalists push for reduced carbon emissions. Annan Cato emphasized that airfreighted food makes up less than 0.1 percent of Britain's carbon emissions, questioning the impact on global justice if small African farmers lose economic opportunities. He addressed a gathering of artists, musicians, and scientists discussing the effects of global warming on Africa. Environmentalists suggest increasing local food production and consumption to reduce airfreighted imports of fruits and vegetables. However, development specialists argue that many poorer African communities rely on the income from these imports. Cato suggests that British shoppers can reduce their carbon footprint in other ways without harming African farming families. Scientists predict a rise in global temperatures due to carbon emissions from fossil fuels, leading to dangerous consequences such as floods and famines. Africa, despite having low per capita carbon emissions, is expected to be heavily impacted. Cato emphasized the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a fair and rational manner, stating that making cuts that disproportionately affect the world's poorest is not only unjust but also hinders the international consensus needed for a global deal on climate change. UN environment ministers are set to meet on the Indonesian island of Bali to discuss urgent talks on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. Europe is pushing for a deal by the end of 2009, but the United States and China, the world's biggest polluters, are hesitant to take action despite growing pressure. Cato stressed the need for the post-Kyoto agreement to include proposals for promoting adaptation to climate change with an effective implementation regime. "This is a matter that pertains not just to fairness on a worldwide scale but also to the very existence of nations," he further stated, noting that while the harm has been caused by some of the wealthiest countries, it is the least advantaged nations that bear the brunt of the consequences.