Climate action after Covid-19

In the context of increasing melting of ice in the Arctic, Greenland, in mountain areas like Himalayas, the large ice flows of Antarctica plus the evidence of severe heat and drought across Australia and even across our North Island, there is a noticeable acceleration in global warming. Every year, climate factors increase means a harsher climate environment for mankind.

As the clouds clear from the Covid-19 epidemic the evidence of increasing adverse climate events will become more apparent. In addition the Covid-19 impact will mean less available transport to facilitate world trade. There will be a decreasing level in farm production in many countries. Evidence of this is the recent reduction in farm production of dairy, wheat and olives in Australia and the reducing availability of water in many regions.

So the first priority in New Zealand must be the strengthening of our agricultural sector and diversification into crops like olives, soybeans, nuts and wheat. Farming can reduce emissions by a startling 25 per cent simply by converting to organic and regenerative farming processes which will also result in purer groundwater and healthier soil. As olives and walnuts can be easily grown on marginal land planting groves of these trees will also benefit the drive for the reduction of emissions. Such plantings will provide better land usage provide better ground cover, and greater carbon sequestering.

These changes will not decrease farm profitability but in producing high value produce will add to profitability. Diversification to the above crops and other crops will make us more self-sufficient in the harsher times ahead.

Farming has to be the leading force in meeting climate change and its challenges. Innovative farming will be the long term foundation to growing the New Zealand economy. Terry Huggins Geraldine