Lubrizol India’s Post

#icymi: It's no secret that #climatechange continues to adversely affect tea production and smallholders across the world. 🍵 To combat the effects and build up #climateresilience, producers and organisations working with such farmers are increasingly resorting to #circularsolutions that call for the adoption of regenerative practices such as #agroforestry, #integratedpestmanagement and #soilrestoration. In Asia, Solidaridad's work has reduced reliance on #chemicalfertilisers among smallholders, with the implementation of waste-based #biosolutions. "Supporting farmers in India to produce #biofertilisers, #biopesticides and #compost using earthworms has enabled reductions in [the use of] inorganic chemical fertilisers by around 68%," says Ranjan Circar, global tea lead, Solidaridad. 🌱 ♻ ➡ Read this Mongabay article to know how the global tea industry is rising up to and fighting the effects of climate change on multiple fronts: https://lnkd.in/g69-niTV Solidaridad Network Shatadru Chattopadhayay #WeekendRead #LongRead #sustainability #regenerativeagriculture #sustainabilityintea #circulareconomy

🌱🌍Tiny yet powerful, duckweed in Thailand is set to redefine sustainability. Researchers at the Duckweed Holobiont Resource & Research Center aim to leverage duckweed, grown on industrial wastewater, for a range of green products. 🌿 Microbial Boost: Duckweed's symbiotic relationship with microbes enhances its growth on factory wastewater and carbon emissions. 🍃 Versatile Applications: The center sees duckweed as ideal for Thailand's green economy, with potential in nutrition, biofuels, and bioplastics. 🌳 Superfood Potential: The Wolffia species of duckweed, traditionally consumed in Thailand, offers a nutrient-rich profile, serving as a potential superfood. 🚰 Wastewater Cleanup: Thriving on pollutants, duckweed transforms wastewater into a natural fertilizer, contributing to eco-friendly bioremediation. Read more below. #Duckweed #Sustainability #GreenTech #Green #Environment #Nature #biofuel #Bioplastic #Natural #ThinkGreen #EnvironmentalDesign

Nurturing Soil Health: A Crucial Step Towards a Sustainable Future Our planet's soil, often overlooked and underappreciated, is a cornerstone of life on Earth. It is the foundation upon which we build our food systems, tackle climate change, and ensure water availability. However, in our relentless pursuit of progress, we have inadvertently endangered the delicate balance of the soil ecosystem. Soil health and its vital ecosystem services are now at a critical juncture, and restoring them has become imperative to address some of humanity's most pressing challenges.   Biodiversity: The Underlying Tapestry Soil is home to a staggering diversity of organisms. This biodiversity contributes to the functionality and resilience of ecosystems. A healthy soil supports plant growth, aids nutrient cycling, and helps control pests and diseases. Food Security: Nourishing Nations The majority of our food is directly or indirectly dependent on soil health. Crops thrive in fertile soils rich in nutrients, minerals, and organic matter. As the global population continues to rise, the need to produce more food places immense pressure on soil resources. Climate Regulation: The Earth's Carbon Sink Soil is a significant player in the global carbon cycle. Healthy soils act as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigating climate change. On the flip side, degraded soils release carbon dioxide into the air, exacerbating the problem. Water Management: A Precious Resource Soil acts as a natural water filter and reservoir. It regulates the flow of water, preventing floods and droughts, while also purifying water by trapping pollutants. When soil health deteriorates, its ability to absorb and retain water is compromised, leading to increased runoff and soil erosion. This can result in the loss of fertile topsoil, reduced agricultural productivity, and diminished water quality. Impact on African Food Production African countries face unique challenges, with a rapidly growing population . Soil degradation exacerbates these challenges, threatening food security and exacerbating poverty. The interconnectedness of soil health, biodiversity, climate, and water management is particularly evident in Africa.   Preserving Soil Health: A Collective Responsibility Safeguarding soil health requires a concerted effort from governments, farmers, companies, researchers, and communities alike. Adopting regenerative agricultural practices can reverse soil degradation trends and create positive outcomes. The delicate balance of our soil ecosystems is under severe threat due to human pressures, endangering vital ecosystem services that underpin our societies. Preserving and restoring soil health is not just an environmental imperative but a pathway towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all. Through collective action and informed decision-making, we can ensure that the foundation of life remains strong beneath our feet.

As soil degrades, it loses it's ability to capture carbon, therefore soil degradation is at the core of climate change as well as biodiversity loss. How can the earth's soil be restored? Here are the key takeaways from president of COP15 Désertification, Alain-Richard DONWAHI, Climate Farmers COO Philippe Birker, Elena Doms, head of Earth Plus and Sandrine Sommer, Sustainability director at Moët Hennessy at ChangeNOW 2024. Alain-Richard DONWAHI, president of COP15 Désertification outlined the key issues and solutions when it comes to soil restoration. He argued that it's easy to point out the importance of soil preservation and restoration, but the challenge lies in attaining the mechanism of funds to communities for on-the-ground work. In order to do this, DONWAHI asserted the need to collaborate with the private sector to invest in restoring soils, due to the private sectors ability to act fast. He further highlighted the power of youth voices and the need for putting traditional habits back into agriculture for soil restoration. What an honour to hear these solutions from one of the world's leaders in soil restoration engagement! 🌿 Elena Doms spoke again in this panel, further on the power of growing hemp, but this time, expanding more on the ways it can remove forever chemicals. Hemp, which is grown at Earth Plus to build bio bricks, can extract forever chemicals from the earths soil. When the plant grows, the forever chemicals are pulled up from the soil through the plant, into the leaves, which can then be cut out. This is the future of business models that drive restoration! 👨🌾 🌽 'Ask yourself where your food is coming from', Philippe Birker, Climate Farmers COO urged during his keynote. Climate Farmers is restoring the soil and biodiversity in farming, by providing infrastructure for scaling regenerative agriculture, and by creating a network of regenerative farmers across Europe. This will allow regenerative farmers to collaborate. Farming is the number 1 responsible industry for biodiversity loss and accounts for 24% of GHG emissions, yet we depend on it at least 3 times a day. Climate Farmers are facilitating regenerative agriculture which can restore soil and biodiversity whilst feeding the planet. 🍇 Lastly, it was very insightful to hear from organisation where soil preservation is core to their business. Sandrine Sommer spoke about the ways in which Moët Hennessy ensure soil restoration, by investing in regeneration and reforestation, which in turn, leads to the continued success of their products, as producing cognac and champagne is deeply connected to the soil. Thank you to all these fantastic speakers! Afsaneh Angelina Rafii Photographer @clay banks

Environmental concerns are increasing for agricultural palm farms such as coconut and oil palm. These tree crops contribute to common products ranging from cosmetics to pet food and it is now easily the most produced vegetable oil on the planet. With increased awareness of the climate and biodiversity problems, the enormous amount of land allocated to palm plantations - and their eco-environmental repercussions - is provoking significant industry criticism. Is this article, Ben Roberts, talks about the effects of palm oil production on biodiversity, the untapped potential of palm plantations for agro-diversity conservation, and the part that consumers and researchers can play in ensuring sustainable palm production. While palm plantations have caused significant harm to rainforests, they also have the potential to conserve agro-biodiversity and research can help identify ways to boost this biodiversity without compromising yields. Consumer boycotts of palm oil may not be the best solution, as alternative crops could have even greater negative impacts. Instead, consumers can support sustainable palm oil by choosing certified products and encouraging companies to prioritise sustainability. By combining research and consumer choices, we can create productive palm farms that benefit both people and the environment. https://lnkd.in/exVKJgh9

critical point is plants are key

The term biodiversity refers to the diversity of all life forms on Earth, from microscopic organisms to whales. Our biological wealth is so vast that we have only identified about 1.2 million species of the estimated 8.7 million. Everything we do affects biodiversity, from the way we get to work, grow food, use and abuse water, and the unwanted items we discard to landfill sites. At Woodlands Dairy, we are committed to promoting biodiversity at farm level and lessening our effect on our natural environment at factory level. Biodiversity can be seen as a catalyst for sustainability and resilience in agriculture. Our country has a wide range of ecosystems, providing the ideal conditions and services for dairy farming. Pollination (think bees and other insects), pest control (birds and animals of prey), soil fertility, and water regulation are some of the resources farmers depend on. Woodlands Dairy understood the need to protect our sensitive ecosystems and reduce our impact on biodiversity, resulting in the implementation of the Woodlands Dairy Sustainability Project in 2014. In partnership with Trace & Save, we committed to improving soil health and biodiversity through sustainable farming practises, the responsible use of chemicals such as fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and the propagation of diverse plant species. These are just some of the initiatives implemented by our dairy farmers to protect soil health and promote biodiversity. At factory level, Woodlands Dairy has systems in place to reduce our usage and impact on biodiversity through minimising energy and water use, waste management and educating our staff about these initiatives. Further initiatives to reduce usage of heavy fuel oil by installing biomass boilers and solar power reduces our dependency on fossil fuel energy, indirectly reducing our impact on finite resources and the environment. Recycling close to 80% of our wastewater reduces the risk of polluting river systems and saves scarce water resources. Recycling 98% of our packaging and solid waste is crucial to preventing pollution of our environment and protecting our biodiversity in our local municipal areas. We collaborate with major packaging suppliers and recyclers such as Tetra Pak, Mpact and Gayatri to educate our youth in our community on the three principles of recycling: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Our tree planting projects contribute to the sequestration of carbon dioxide into oxygen and helps create habitats for insects, birds, and wildlife. Biodiversity is invaluable to our health, wellbeing, food security and survival; thus, being responsible stewards of our planet Earth is the responsibility of every single person. We are proud to proclaim that Woodlands Dairy, as a company, has taken the gauntlet in preserving biodiversity in our area. Portia Phohlo in the photo #sustainabilitymatters #UNSDG15 #WoodlandsDairy #sustainability #sustainabilitygoals #FortheGoodofAll #biodiversity

🌍 Unveiling the Environmental Challenge: The Impact of Animal Waste on Ecosystems and Climate 🐄🌿 Today, let's delve into a critical yet often overlooked aspect of animal agriculture – the environmental impact of animal waste. This issue goes beyond the farm gates, influencing water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall ecosystem health. 🏞️ The Ripple Effect of Livestock Waste: Water Contamination: Improper management of animal waste, particularly in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), can lead to the release of nutrients, pathogens, and antibiotics into water bodies. This runoff can contaminate water sources, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Animal waste, especially from ruminant animals, produces methane during decomposition. This contributes to the greenhouse gas footprint, exacerbating climate change. Additionally, nitrous oxide emissions from manure and fertilized fields further amplify the environmental impact. Soil Degradation: Over-application of manure on agricultural fields can lead to soil degradation and nutrient imbalances. This can compromise the health of the soil, affecting its ability to support plant life and sequester carbon. 📊 Quantifying the Environmental Strain: Methane Emissions: Livestock manure contributes to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that significantly influences global warming. Proper manure management practices can help mitigate these emissions. Nutrient Runoff: Excessive nutrients in animal waste, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, contribute to nutrient runoff. This can lead to algal blooms in water bodies, causing oxygen depletion and negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems. Air Quality Concerns: Ammonia emissions from animal waste can lead to air quality issues, posing respiratory risks for both animals and humans in the vicinity of agricultural operations. 🌱 Towards Sustainable Practices: Manure Management: Implementing effective manure management practices, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, can reduce methane emissions and enhance nutrient recycling. Regenerative Agriculture: Integrating livestock into regenerative farming practices can contribute to healthier ecosystems. Rotational grazing and proper land management help minimize the environmental impact of animal waste. Technology and Innovation: Investing in technologies such as methane digesters and precision farming tools can enhance the efficiency of waste management in the agricultural sector. 🔄 A Call to Action: As professionals and stewards of the environment, let's foster conversations around sustainable animal agriculture practices. By addressing the impact of animal waste, we can contribute to a more harmonious balance between agricultural production and ecological well-being. 🌿💧 #AnimalWaste #Sustainability #EnvironmentalImpact #ClimateAction #RegenerativeAgriculture #EcosystemHealth #WasteManagement

🌱Ignite Change-Redesigning Communities for Life After Fossil Fuels Yesterday marked a powerful invitation to elevate community awareness. Marianne Wyne and Melanie Carlone, co-founders of ThePivot.Earth, were invited to moderate this pioneering post-fossil-fuel wake-up event. Sponsored by Biodiversity for a Livable Climate (gratitude to Philip Bogdonoff, Maya Dutta, Jim Laurie, Louise Mitchell and their team) and partnering with the Post Carbon Institute, an impressive lineup of national voices sparked deep inquiry. Richard Heinberg, Andrew Millison, Monica Ibacache, Jon Schull, and Jenny Pell complemented the insights of local change-makers, such as indigenous pipe carrier Laughing Helen Farrell, black-led farming advocates Arthur Shavers and Malcom Shabazz Hoover, and regenerative ag proponents like Clare Strawn, Ole Ersson of Portland’s Kailash Ecovillage, regenerative farmers Aretmio Paz and Julia Eden, and Jennifer Eisele of Beyond Toxics. The event ignited vital conversations about the future of our food and energy systems and, critically,  what we are doing to address these challenges NOW and what could we be doing...  Overarching themes pointed to -Growing evidence signaling us that food and energy challenges loom and how to prepare for them -Acknowledging current misguided paths, what aspects are failing, and what succeeding -Imperative steps to take right now to navigate impending shifts to resources and climate resilience Insights from Panels: The first panel tackled "Strategies for Navigating the Coming Energy and Food Crunch." 86 participants engaged with panelists to draw insight into the crunch being posed by declines in conventional oil production, energy use and dependence of conventional agriculture on fossil fuels. The panel discussion zeroed in on the urgent need to reimagine our energy and food systems, reducing all dependence on fossil fuels and supporting local growers at a scale that can sustain populations. Then the second panel dove into "Permaculture and Biodiversity to Prompt Greater Climate Resilience," focusing on visible climate impacts in Oregon and Lahaina, Maui. Smart permaculture design applications emerged as crucial tools for creating resilient systems (effective approaches like greening deserts, and creating neighborhood salaried permaculture experts to maximize local food production). Inspiring Action: ThePivot.Earth is one of many emerging organizations deeply dedicated to supporting and igniting such GLOBAL TO LOCAL events and initiatives. Why? Because dropping into what REALLY matters in individuals and teams, aligning with VALUES, and ANCHORING MEANINGFUL ACTION empowers individuals, communities, and changemakers to do what we know we must - adopt regenerative systems for healthy soil, mutuality and healthy communities that will endure for the generations to come. The time is NOW.🌍✨ #Sustainability #RegenerativeAgriculture #CommunityEmpowerment #ThePivotEarth #LivingSoil #ClimateResilience