The regenerative agricultural movement is increasingly taking center stage at global discussions of climate change, and for good reason. This could be a serious solution to reversing –  yes, reversing – the negative impact of climate change. I follow these efforts with great interest. To me, the movement is actually a revitalization of the natural farming practices my father so passionately embraced decades ago (and our Nutrilite farmers use today) to nourish soil and sustainably grow organic crops. This time though, the vision is grander. 

Yes, healthy soil produces fertile crops and wholesome foods, but it also has the ability to trap greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. So, a meaningful switch to regenerative agriculture and its focus on soil health could have serious benefits for the planet.

What is regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture, also known as regenerative farming or carbon farming, relies on farming methods that work with nature’s natural processes such as plant photosynthesis as well as healthy soil microbiology. The ultimate goal is healthy soil, which acts like an earthy sponge to soak up greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store them deep within the soil.

The natural practices of regenerative farming

According to the Rodale Institute, regenerative farming has the potential to sequester more than the current annual carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere. In this way, regenerative farming can help reverse climate change.Its natural farming practices include things like planting cover crops, composting and rotating crops. So we’re not talking about expensive, hard-to-access, high-tech farming practices. Regenerative farming practices are relatively simple, yet trap and store a significant amount of carbon. Here’s how:

1. Plant cover crops

At least half of the carbon fixed in crops is found in plant matter above the soil, which makes growing cover crops one of the most important farming practices to sequester carbon. Cover crops include temporary crops grown between main crops, catch-crops that transfer nutrients to the next main crop, and perennial mulches. These cover crops work to increase soil carbon, reduce nitrogen leaching, and discourage wind and water erosion. 

2. Compost plants and other organic materials 

Composting boosts soil health and its ability to trap carbon. This process works by decomposing plant residue, manure and other organic materials to yield compost. Compost, in turn, improves soil health and productivity while reducing the need for water or fertilizer. Plus, when compost replaces synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, plants grow more roots, fixing more atmospheric carbon in the process.

3. Rotate crops and avoid fallow land 

Another way farmers can sequester carbon is to grow different crops without fallow periods. (Industrial farms tend to grow one crop then leave the ground bare between growing seasons.) So a farmer who typically grows with a wheat-fallow rotation could switch to a wheat-sunflower or a wheat-legume rotation to trap more carbon in the soil. 

Reversing the greenhouse effect is a global effort

The potential of regenerative farming to reverse the greenhouse effect is nothing short of impressive, but it needs to be a global effort. I, for one, eagerly follow the activities of stakeholders around the world who are focusing on this important goal. 

In India, for example, new regulations are encouraging more bamboo farming. Planting more of this “green gold” not only increases carbon sequestration and storage, but also helps improve the financial conditions of farmers and adds more nutritious bamboo shoots to the food supply.

In Malaysia, researchers are investigating tropical peats and how they affect the climate. Tropical peats, especially peat swamp forests, are dominated by trees and are important reservoirs of biodiversity, carbon, and water.

In China, one business is bringing fun to the regenerative movement. In August 2016, China’s Ant Financial launched the Ant Forest project as part of their Alipay mobile payment platform. Using a mobile app, participants can earn “energy points” by adopting environmentally friendly behaviors such as paying bills online or walking more. They compete with friends to grow a virtual tree and, when they earn enough energy points, Ant Financial plants a real tree in Inner Mongolia or Gansu province. 

Since its launch in 2016, Ant Forest has grown to more than 300 million users who have reduced their daily carbon emissions by 8,000 tons. Ant Financial has also planted more than 13 million real trees. This success really shows that a little fun can go a long way in helping people take action for an important cause.

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The bottom line

Regenerative farming practices can produce the healthy soil we need to reverse climate change, but only if our efforts reach around the world. I encourage you to join in!

Cheers,

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