Fix the Soil, Feed the Planet, Save the World: The Power of Regeneration
'Regenerative agriculture provides answers to the soil crisis, the food crisis, the health crisis, the climate crisis and the crisis of democracy,' says Vandana Shiva
Seeking to elevate sustainable forms of agriculture such as agroecology, holistic grazing, cover cropping, permaculture, and agroforestry over industrial practices that degrade soil, introduce toxins to the food supply--and exacerbate climate change--a group of farmers, scientists, and activists are convening for the Regenerative International Conference in Costa Rica this week.
The conference, the first of a planned series of similar gatherings around the world, will focus on uniting movements, developing campaigns, and creating a global media plan to communicate specifically how restoring soil health can reverse damage to ecosystems around the world.
"This is new science that's connecting the food issues with the climate issue, making it more and more clear that by fixing the soil, and fixing the way we produce food, we can fix the climate as well," said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association, in a press release on Monday.
Reports have shown how regenerative farming and ranching techniques--such as "holistic grazing," which makes use of the movement and behavior of the grazing animals to break up and fertilize dry soil--can restore farmland and produce yields similar to industrial techniques, leading to far greater food security. In addition, the groups behind the conference point out that healthy soil can reduce the amount of water necessary to grow crops by as much as 60 percent.
"Bringing soil to the center of our consciousness and our planning is vital not only for the life of the soil, but also for the future of our society," said Vandana Shiva, global activist and author of Soil Not Oil.
Shiva, a co-founder of the Regeneration International Working Group, added: "Regenerative agriculture provides answers to the soil crisis, the food crisis, the health crisis, the climate crisis and the crisis of democracy."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Seeking to elevate sustainable forms of agriculture such as agroecology, holistic grazing, cover cropping, permaculture, and agroforestry over industrial practices that degrade soil, introduce toxins to the food supply--and exacerbate climate change--a group of farmers, scientists, and activists are convening for the Regenerative International Conference in Costa Rica this week.
The conference, the first of a planned series of similar gatherings around the world, will focus on uniting movements, developing campaigns, and creating a global media plan to communicate specifically how restoring soil health can reverse damage to ecosystems around the world.
"This is new science that's connecting the food issues with the climate issue, making it more and more clear that by fixing the soil, and fixing the way we produce food, we can fix the climate as well," said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association, in a press release on Monday.
Reports have shown how regenerative farming and ranching techniques--such as "holistic grazing," which makes use of the movement and behavior of the grazing animals to break up and fertilize dry soil--can restore farmland and produce yields similar to industrial techniques, leading to far greater food security. In addition, the groups behind the conference point out that healthy soil can reduce the amount of water necessary to grow crops by as much as 60 percent.
"Bringing soil to the center of our consciousness and our planning is vital not only for the life of the soil, but also for the future of our society," said Vandana Shiva, global activist and author of Soil Not Oil.
Shiva, a co-founder of the Regeneration International Working Group, added: "Regenerative agriculture provides answers to the soil crisis, the food crisis, the health crisis, the climate crisis and the crisis of democracy."
Seeking to elevate sustainable forms of agriculture such as agroecology, holistic grazing, cover cropping, permaculture, and agroforestry over industrial practices that degrade soil, introduce toxins to the food supply--and exacerbate climate change--a group of farmers, scientists, and activists are convening for the Regenerative International Conference in Costa Rica this week.
The conference, the first of a planned series of similar gatherings around the world, will focus on uniting movements, developing campaigns, and creating a global media plan to communicate specifically how restoring soil health can reverse damage to ecosystems around the world.
"This is new science that's connecting the food issues with the climate issue, making it more and more clear that by fixing the soil, and fixing the way we produce food, we can fix the climate as well," said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association, in a press release on Monday.
Reports have shown how regenerative farming and ranching techniques--such as "holistic grazing," which makes use of the movement and behavior of the grazing animals to break up and fertilize dry soil--can restore farmland and produce yields similar to industrial techniques, leading to far greater food security. In addition, the groups behind the conference point out that healthy soil can reduce the amount of water necessary to grow crops by as much as 60 percent.
"Bringing soil to the center of our consciousness and our planning is vital not only for the life of the soil, but also for the future of our society," said Vandana Shiva, global activist and author of Soil Not Oil.
Shiva, a co-founder of the Regeneration International Working Group, added: "Regenerative agriculture provides answers to the soil crisis, the food crisis, the health crisis, the climate crisis and the crisis of democracy."