Greening the land and improving profitability

IN Africa, nations are banding together in a project called the Great Green Wall to plant a corridor of trees across the continent.

Greening Deserts is a collaborative project to plant 100 billion trees in deserts such as the Sahara. With plans to cover just 10 per cent of that one desert with trees, it would see 95 million hectares of barren wasteland turned into fertile landscapes.

And there are efforts springing up worldwide to green urban areas in innovative ways to reduce those urban hotspots, and cool down their radiant heat signatures, which will also make for cooler living for residents.

Locally, Central West Local Land Services (CWLLS) is staging a Carbon for Profit Conference in Dubbo early next month to show landholders how they can cool their landscapes and make more money at the same time.

With funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, the interactive and practical forum will feature the latest on-ground research and provide an opportunity for attendees to talk with other farmers to share ideas, according to CWLLS Agriculture Team Leader Neroli Brennan.

“Carbon farming is the use of key agricultural practices or land use changes to improve on-farm conditions by increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil and vegetation (sequestration),” Ms Brennan said.

“Through carbon farming Carbon farming helps the long-term viability of our agricultural industries, according to Neroli Brennan from Central West Local Land Services. PHOTO: FILE.

we are growing the longterm viability of our agricultural industries and this may allow us to access new markets through proven reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, soil or vegetation.

“As we work with landholders across the region, we’re seeing that many of the techniques used in carbon farming are consistent with the best practice management approaches for sustainable agriculture that many farmers already implement,” she said.

Attendees will hear from leading experts including Palaeoclimatologist (the study of past climates) Dr

Bradley Opdyke, and NSW Department of Primary Industries Carbon Specialist, Susan Orgill. Also among the speakers will be innovative farmers such as Landcarer of the Year 2018 David Marsh who will show real-world examples of how increasing soil carbon has improved his soil health.

Attendees will also hear from Sue Ogilvy, Col Mcmaster and Scott Hickman among others.

The panel members will lead discussions about issues as diverse as cover cropping, pasture and grazing management, economics of management, farmer driven demonstrations and

research.

Attendees will also get plenty of networking opportunities to link up with service providers and other farmers who can help make the most of farm businesses now and into the future.

* John Ryan is also Local Landcare Coordinator, Mid-macquarie Landcare

z Managing Carbon for Profit will be staged at Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Savannah Room on Tuesday, June 4, starting at 8.30am. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online www. eventbrite.com.au/e/managing-carbon-for-profit-tickets-57463666373

UNLESS you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be aware of the climate change ‘debate’. You’ll have noticed it has become a divisive issue, with a dedicated tribe of die-hard deniers, a passionate collective of the completely convinced, and a growing group who just wish we would find middle ground and move forward.

Disclosure: I am firmly in the second and third groups

There is much smoke and noise, claims and counter claims, cover-ups and conflicts of interest. It’s become highly emotional – to the extent that powerful points are being overlooked and friendships frayed.

I’d like to call for a moment of calm and highlight an idea that’s being overlooked in the fire and fury.

To start, I’ll mention that one of the many strengths of Australia has been our ability to lead the world with progressive ideas. Historically we’ve been prepared to discuss issues in depth and ultimately come to the right decision. Yep, we can be slow at times, but we get there.

The fundamental issue is whether climate change is happening and, if so, what is its cause.

The ‘denialist’ position is that climate change isn’t ‘real’ or that, OK, maybe it is, but it’s NOT caused by humans. The argument then goes that because “we didn’t do it” we shouldn’t have to do anything about it.

Consider this: If you’ve taken any notice at all over the past 10 years, you’ll recognise that much of the environment IS different – and the weather IS changing. No matter who or what is causing it.

It IS impacting our farms, our rivers and it WILL impact everyone eventually. So, let’s forget the blame game and discuss opportunities – because there are plenty.

And here’s a thing – the positives in looking at new ways of doing things can far outweigh the negatives. Yes, there will be costs, but there will be benefits as well.

In the ‘70s, there was a big ‘oil shock’ and fuel prices went up. Initially there was panic and predictions of doom. But the innovations that resulted from the recognition of the need for change created whole new technologies, new jobs, new industries. LOTS of great things came of it.

Change is challenging and it’s normal to resist it at first. We all have our comfort zones. But history shows that it makes us stronger and results in more opportunities and options.

On the other hand, we have our world to lose if it IS true – no matter who or what causes it – and we don’t adapt.

We need to manage that risk.

We have so many great new things to learn and we’ll be doing something positive instead of dithering, fighting and whinging.

Let’s find the win-win.

z Kim Macrae is the Dubbobased founder of ikifit. He writes about ideas and activities that can help brighten our own lives and the lives of those around us.