Stefan

24
May
2023
Why “sustainable” dampens my mood and “regenerative” builds me up

Why “sustainable” dampens my mood and “regenerative” builds me up

In an interesting article about Patagonia, which just called itself an unsustainable brand, it says in the last paragraph:

Patagonia’s rejection of the label “sustainable” is rooted in a deep understanding of human psychology. The concept of being “done” implies a static state, a finish line that suggests there is nothing more to achieve. Patagonia recognizes that this mindset can lead to complacency and stagnation. By acknowledging that it is not a sustainable brand, it embraces a perpetual sense of growth and improvement. This psychological shift fuels its determination to consistently raise the bar and make a greater impact.

It’s a collective style of growth mindset that rallies people around the idea that humans — and the organizations they build — can always improve.

This is to me that total difference between “sustainable agriculture” and “regenerative agriculture” (although in a german term, I call it “resource building agriculture”; the term doesn’t translate well into english) – the one turns me down, doesn’t really get me going – the other stirs me up and motivates me.

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17
May
2023
The ocean is hotter than ever

The ocean is hotter than ever

Wow, not so good news… Oceans are heating up, more and more. The ocean absorbs about 90% of the extra heat in the climate system resulting from global warming. But because it takes more energy to heat water than air, the surface water temperature is rising more slowly than the surface air temperature is.

I developed a few years ago some graphics (source 1, source 2) on this, which shows the trend too:

Incredible, if we imagine that heat would have solely gone into the atmosphere – where would we be now?

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15
May
2023
Distribution of land and water on our planet

Distribution of land and water on our planet

A very nice graphic that once again shows how “blue” our planet actually is, and what role the oceans play on this planet – and surely on our climate. We generally only think in terms of “land” – which is already an incredible amount of space. To deal well with Mother Earth and to promote the living (which should also be our goal in agriculture) is much more than just keeping the ground covered (etc.)….

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12
May
2023
What is warming the climate – CO2 or forest loss?

What is warming the climate – CO2 or forest loss?

As the only accepted narrative on global warming is the one on CO2 (and other GHG), I wonder since a couple of years what the influence disappearing vegetation, especially deforestation, in conjunction with bare soils, and its disruptions of the small water cycle has on the changing climate. Vegetation means transpiration, which leads to a cooling effect within the ground layer (we need that!), and the transfer of that stored energy in the water vapour into higher parts of the atmosphere (which is beneficial). Here, when released, some of it (some people say up to half) disappears into outer space (which is good for climate cooling). The condensation means clouds are being created, which reflect incoming radiation (another positive effect). Clouds mean it can bring rain (which is more and more missing in its usual regularity around the world). Vegetation actually emit biogenic aerosols, which help to create these clouds at lower atmospheric levels, creating more rapid and more regular rain (another important benefit). And there is more to it (see links below).

Now, a funny (?) thing:

When looking on CO2 concentration and global temperature anomaly, we see a strong correlation:

 

However, the interesting thing is, that we see the same correlation between the loss of primary (and naturally regenerated) forests (which are the most important drivers of the small water cycle) and the temperature anomaly:

This is not to say that the CO2-narrative is wrong. I am convinced that we must urgently stop emissions and try to store emitted CO2 in soils and vegetation. But I wonder what influence the disappearance of natural forests, the increasing amount of bare soil and surfaces (asphalt, beton, buildings), the loss of water retention and storing capacities in the landscape and the according changes in the energy redistribution/balance/transport has on climate change.

More and more research shows that this is not negligible (see articles in my blog), but could even prove to be a major factor.

Interesting additional links:

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12
May
2023
Conserving old growth forests is key to stabilising the Earth’s climate

Conserving old growth forests is key to stabilising the Earth’s climate

The Club of Rome is disseminating the the latest study on the climatic effects of forests, led by Anastassia Makarieva:

Do forests create rain? It is a question that has been debated for a long time. We know that trees produce huge amounts of water vapor that is pumped from humidity in the ground and condensed into clouds that generate rain, but the mechanisms that govern condensation and vapor water movements are still not completely clear.

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29
Apr
2023
Johan Rockström talking about blue and green water and atmospheric rivers

Johan Rockström talking about blue and green water and atmospheric rivers

So important to speak about the small water cycle, the green water next to the blue one, the atmospheric rivers, the role vegetation plays in keeping everything running. Johan Rockström explains different important points on this. Sadly, still nothing about the energy transfer and the role, vegetation plays in cooling the climate.

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27
Apr
2023
Rewilding could help limit warming beyond 1.5°C, scientists say

Rewilding could help limit warming beyond 1.5°C, scientists say

Fascinating: “It’s no secret that preserving and restoring wilderness areas is good for ecosystems, but a new study has pinpointed another major benefit to rewilding.

According to the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, rewilding, or preserving and restoring wildlife and wilderness areas, could improve natural carbon sinks in ecosystems, therefore boosting natural methods of carbon capture and helping the world limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Scientists studied nine wildlife species for the study: marine fish, whales, sharks, gray wolves, wildebeest, sea otters, musk oxen, African forest elephants and American bison. In their analysis, the study authors found that protecting or restoring the populations of just these nine species could collectively help ecosystems capture an additional 6.41 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, or about 95% of carbon emissions needed to be captured in order to meet the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C target.”

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17
Mar
2023
Rob de Laet: Global Action Plan: Let’s Cool the Planet with Nature! – Climate Landscapes Conference

Rob de Laet: Global Action Plan: Let’s Cool the Planet with Nature! – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Rob de Laet’s presentation on »Global Action Plan: Let’s Cool the Planet with Nature!«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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15
Mar
2023
Vijay Kumar: Andhra Pradesh Community managed Natural Farming – Climate Landscapes Conference

Vijay Kumar: Andhra Pradesh Community managed Natural Farming – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Vijay Kumar’s presentation on »Andhra Pradesh Community managed Natural Farming«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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13
Mar
2023
Alexa Mayer-Bosse: Beyond carbon certificates: Could other ecosystem functions bridge the gap between nature and finance? – Climate Landscapes Conference

Alexa Mayer-Bosse: Beyond carbon certificates: Could other ecosystem functions bridge the gap between nature and finance? – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Alexa Mayer-Bosse’s presentation on »Beyond carbon certificates: Could other ecosystem functions bridge the gap between nature and finance?«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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11
Mar
2023
Juliana Birnbaum: Land use practices for regeneration. Regeneration.org – Climate Landscapes Conference

Juliana Birnbaum: Land use practices for regeneration. Regeneration.org – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Juliana Birnbaum’s presentation on »Land use practices for regeneration«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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09
Mar
2023
Fred Hattermann: Designing a landscape for more water retention – Climate Landscapes Conference

Fred Hattermann: Designing a landscape for more water retention – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Fred Hattermann’s presentation on »Designing a landscape for more water retention«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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08
Mar
2023
Asking ChatGPT: »Compare a regenerative economy with a sustainable economy«

Asking ChatGPT: »Compare a regenerative economy with a sustainable economy«

Asking ChatGPT: »Compare a regenerative economy with a sustainable economy«

A regenerative economy and a sustainable economy share similarities in that they both prioritize the responsible use of natural resources and strive for long-term ecological balance. However, there are some key differences between the two:

  1. Objectives: A sustainable economy aims to maintain the status quo and ensure that resources are used at a rate that can be sustained over time, without depleting them. In contrast, a regenerative economy seeks to restore and replenish natural resources, so that they can be used indefinitely.
  2. Focus: A sustainable economy focuses on reducing negative impacts on the environment, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. A regenerative economy goes beyond this, actively working to restore degraded ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and create sustainable livelihoods.
  3. Approach: A sustainable economy is often based on the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, with a focus on minimizing waste and conserving resources. A regenerative economy takes this a step further, seeking to create closed-loop systems that mimic natural ecosystems, where waste becomes food for new growth and resources are continually replenished.
  4. Scale: While a sustainable economy often operates at a local or regional scale, a regenerative economy has a more global focus, seeking to address complex environmental challenges on a planetary scale.

Overall, a regenerative economy can be seen as an evolution of the sustainable economy, going beyond the goal of minimizing negative impacts on the environment and striving to create a more positive impact, by actively restoring and regenerating natural systems.

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07
Mar
2023
Subimal Ghosh: Land-Atmosphere Feedback in Indian Monsoon – Climate Landscapes Conference ’22

Subimal Ghosh: Land-Atmosphere Feedback in Indian Monsoon – Climate Landscapes Conference ’22

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Subimal Ghosh’s presentation on »Land-Atmosphere Feedback in Indian Monsoon«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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06
Mar
2023
Tropical deforestation causes large reductions in observed precipitation

Tropical deforestation causes large reductions in observed precipitation

A new paper appeared »Tropical deforestation causes large reductions in observed precipitation«, indicating how (much) deforestation and precipitations in the tropics are linked:

Here we show reduced precipitation over deforested regions across the tropics. Our results arise from a pan-tropical assessment of the impacts of 2003–2017 forest loss on precipitation using satellite, station-based and reanalysis datasets. The effect of deforestation on precipitation increased at larger scales, with satellite datasets showing that forest loss caused robust reductions in precipitation at scales greater than 50 km. The greatest declines in precipitation occurred at 200 km, the largest scale we explored, for which 1 percentage point of forest loss reduced precipitation by 0.25 ± 0.1 mm per month. […] We estimate that future deforestation in the Congo will reduce local precipitation by 8–10% in 2100. Our findings provide a compelling argument for tropical forest conservation to support regional climate resilience.

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05
Mar
2023
Sebastiaan Huismann: Water in the Landscapes, Farm Juchowo, Poland – Climate Landscapes Conference

Sebastiaan Huismann: Water in the Landscapes, Farm Juchowo, Poland – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Sebastiaan Huismann’s presentation on »Water in the Landscapes, Farm Juchowo, Poland«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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03
Mar
2023
Andrew Millison: Large scale water harvesting successes in India – Climate Landscapes Conference

Andrew Millison: Large scale water harvesting successes in India – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Andrew Millison’s presentation on »Large scale water harvesting successes in India«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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01
Mar
2023
Hermann Lotze-Campen: The role of an integrated land use planning for climate mitigation – Climate Landscapes Conference

Hermann Lotze-Campen: The role of an integrated land use planning for climate mitigation – Climate Landscapes Conference

In October, we organized the international online Climate Landscapes Conference. Here is Hermann Lotze-Campen’s presentation on »The role of an integrated land use planning for climate mitigation«.

It is important to understand that carbon, water and energy cycles on land are closely linked. Restoring atmospheric and terrestrial water cycles in vegetation, soils, and the atmosphere is paramount to cooling the planet. This is the only way to stabilize precipitation patterns and prevent floods and droughts – locally, regionally and globally. For this, more vegetation, more fertile soils, and water retention in land use are essential.

In general, we need a paradigm shift that values the hydrological and climate-cooling effects of vegetation in general and forests in particular, in addition to their carbon sequestration potential. The effects of vegetation cover on climate offer benefits that need to be more widely recognized and require a systems approach to make agriculture, forestry, and water management resilient for the times ahead.

Cycles of carbon, water, and energy can be influenced by increasing soil fertility, more vegetation, and water retention. These include regenerative land management practices such as year-round vegetation cover through intercropping and undersowing, reduced tillage, large-scale establishment of agroforestry systems, creation of retention areas, climate-adaptive forest conversion, and management of pastures using holistic grazing management.

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