The Role of Regenerative Farming in Combatting Climate Change
One of the basic tenets of effective altruism is that we focus on large-scale problems that have been neglected and affect the most vulnerable. Furthermore, interventions must be highly effective and measurable. The harmful impact of climate change is large-scale and affects the most vulnerable. As we attempt to reverse the damage, regenerative farming’s role in combatting climate change surfaces as a highly effective intervention with measurable outcomes.
Bringing Carbon Back to the Soil
According to data, almost one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide come from land use and agriculture. However, plants and farmland have a vast potential to draw down carbon from the atmosphere and sink it into the soil. Regenerative farming practices offer an unprecedented opportunity to meet the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Regenerative agriculture farmers can reverse the effects of climate change.
What Are Regenerative Farming Practices?
“The relationship between regenerative agriculture and the climate is an intimate one that has been forgotten…what we’re talking about is bringing carbon back home.” (Paul Hawken)
Paul Hawken, author of Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, goes on to say, “There are at least twenty different practices that constitute regenerative agriculture in its fullest scope, and when all of these practices are added together, it represents by far the single greatest solution to the climate crisis.”
Regenerative farming is about developing a symbiotic relationship with the soil. Some of its fundamental practices include:
· Planting cover crops. This eliminates soil erosion and suppresses weeds. Biodiversity and water retention are increased while the need to use herbicides is eliminated.
· No-till cultivation. The soil is left intact, protecting it from erosion and enabling it to absorb carbon. Less water is needed to irrigate the fields.
· Composting. The need to use fertilizers is reduced, and nutrients in the soil are increased.
· Crop rotation to nurture the development of carbon-rich soil and create a perfect environment for healthy plants to grow without harmful chemicals. Crops are resistant to natural predators and weather conditions and are nutrient-rich.
The Terraton Initiative
“The greatest roadblock to solving a problem is the human mind.” (Dirt to Soil, by Gabe Brown)
Indigo Agriculture has powered a large-scale global movement called The Terraton Initiative. The Initiative aims to sink one trillion tons of carbon into soil land by utilizing regenerative farming practices. Indigo Agriculture has leveraged significant investments from major companies such as JPMorgan Chase, Shopify, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Boston Consulting Group, Barclays, Givewith, New Belgium Brewing, and IBM to fund financial incentives for farming carbon. Of considerable importance to us as effective altruists are Indigo’s investment in creating methodologies for measuring and verifying outcomes. A 21-member working group including Woods Hole Research Center, Nature Conservancy, World Resources is designing and implementing scalable solutions with measurable results. Working with the Climate Action Reserve, Indigo developed a novel, on-site, long-term protocol for measuring regenerative agriculture’s effectiveness on carbon removal.
Get Involved
Regenerative agriculture is a growing grassroots movement that has taken root around the world. As effective altruists and corporate executives, we have the power to play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of farmers and organizations such as Indigo Agriculture, Farmer’s Footprint, Grounded, Sustainable Harvest International, and others.
