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The corporate agenda behind carbon farming

The corporate agenda behind carbon farming

I am not a big fan of “carbon farming”. So many reasons which speak against it, even though the approach in general is well intended. But have a look at this article, and see what big businesses – like Bayer – make out of it.

Bayer is the big winner here. It gets increasing control over farmers, dictating exactly how they farm and what inputs they use. Getting more farmers to use reduced tillage or no-till is of huge benefit to Bayer.  The kind of reduced tillage or no-till promoted by Bayer requires dousing fields with tonnes of its RoundUp (glyphosate) herbicide and planting seeds of its genetically-engineered Roundup resistant soybeans or hybrid maize.
Bayer also intends to profit from the promotion of cover crops. The very month that it launched ForGround, it took majority ownership of a seed company developing a gene edited cover crop, called CoverCress. Seeds of CoverCress will be sold to farmers who are enrolled in ForGround and the crop will be sold as a biofuel.
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The role of barren surface for the greenhouse effect

The role of barren surface for the greenhouse effect

An sentence from Walter Jehne, which I really found stunning:

“Irrespectiable how many greenhouse gas molecules are in the air, the thing that determines the GHG effect is the amount of reradiation coming from the earth. Because we have bared the soil, this soil will heat up much much more so than the soil protected with green vegetation. … We have created 5 billion hectares of man made desert and waste land.”

Think about the effect what the loss of 50% of (natural) forests, the creation of millions and millions of square kilometres of bare soil, of beton and asphalt, and the degenerated land has on the altered ratio of sensible heat to latent energy!

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Improving soil could keep world within 1.5C heating target, research suggests

Improving soil could keep world within 1.5C heating target, research suggests

This looks like a steep number for me – 31 Gt CO2 (8.4 GtC). In my UNEP publication “Putting Carbon back where it belongs – the potential of carbon sequestration in the soil” (probably published under the head of the division, Jacqueline McGlade, see below), estimates are more in direction of 7.5-11 Gt CO2.

Using better farming techniques to store 1% more carbon in about half of the world’s agricultural soils would be enough to absorb about 31 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide a year, according to new data. That amount is not far off the 32 gigatonnes gap between current planned emissions reduction globally per year and the amount of carbon that must be cut by 2030 to stay within 1.5C.

The estimates were carried out by Jacqueline McGlade, the former chief scientist at the UN environment programme and former executive director of the European Environment Agency. She found that storing more carbon in the top 30cm of agricultural soils would be feasible in many regions where soils are currently degraded.

McGlade now leads a commercial organisation that sells soil data to farmers. Downforce Technologies uses publicly available global data, satellite images and lidar to assess in detail how much carbon is stored in soils, which can now be done down to the level of individual fields.

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The ocean is turning green. Yes, it’s climate change

The ocean is turning green. Yes, it’s climate change

Not good news: More than half of the world’s oceans have changed colors in the past 20 years, becoming more green than blue. The culprit? Climate change. In a study, published Wednesday in Nature, decades worth of research showed 56 percent of the world’s oceans experienced color change between 2002 to 2022.

“The study’s authors say that natural instances, like seasonal or yearly variations to phytoplankton blooms, don’t explain the oceans’ shift in color, and don’t account for the change. Instead, researchers say the greening might better be explained by carbon dioxide absorption by plankton and algae communities and could signal an even more serious problem: Oceans absorb nearly 25 percent* of the world’s carbon emissions and may not be able to absorb more in the future.”

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Guidelines and governing principles for creating climate landscapes

Guidelines and governing principles for creating climate landscapes

These are (some) important guidelines and/or governing principles for creating climate landscapes, that a group of people from Ecorestoration Alliance came up with.

A. Evapotranspiration cools earth
B. Small water cycle creates rain
C. Hydraulic lift keeps soil wet
D. Wetlands cleanse water
E. Cities can recycle stormwater
F. Organic soil absorbs more rainwater
G. Slowing water keeps continents hydrated
H. Tile drainage wastes water
I. Wetlands humidify winds lessening wildfires
J. Wetlands replenish groundwater
K. Groundwater is our water bank
L. Groundwater increases the small water cycle
M. Groundwater quenches wildfires
N. Forests attract rain
O. Biodiversity increases small water cycle
P. Absorb rainfall to lessen droughts, floods, fire, and heat
Q. Dams block fish, sediment, wetlands, and groundwater
R. Plants regulate heat via water
S. Animals changes soil which changes water cycle
T. Ecological succession tends to increase small water cycle
U. Health ecosystems creates clouds which can cool earth
V. Increasing small water cycle lessens urban heat domes.

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Norway Becomes World’s First Country to Ban Deforestation

Norway Becomes World’s First Country to Ban Deforestation

Good news: Norway has become the first country to ban deforestation. The Norwegian Parliament pledged May 26 that the government’s public procurement policy will be deforestation-free. Any product that contributes to deforestation will not be used in the Scandinavian country. The pledge was recommended by Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Energy and Environment as part of the Action Plan on Nature Diversity.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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