A new paradigm to cool the planet

L-R: NSW Farm Writers president Kaaren Latham with guest speakers Carolyn Hall and Gary Nairn AO. [Photo courtesy of The Land.]

Did you know that soil carbon is the single biggest terrestrial carbon pool on earth and is estimated to contain 2300Gt of carbon to a depth of 3 metres. The atmosphere only contains 820Gt and above ground biomass 610Gt. Total emissions from fossil fuel burning and cement manufacture were 8.99Gt in 2019 so it is possible to absorb the world’s annual anthropogenic emissions in soils.

TMI’s Chairman Gary Nairn AO and CEO Carolyn Hall were invited to speak about this in February at a Farm Writer’s Association of NSW lunch in Sydney and in particular relate it to the role of regenerative agriculture and our work to repair and rehydrate landscapes. Gary also commented that the National Farmers Federation (NFF) target of agricultural output of $100 billion by 2030 will be unattainable unless agriculture changes.

The first change is fixing water. 50% of rain that falls is lost through evaporation or runoff. There is too much bare agricultural land that accelerates runoff and evaporation resulting in erosion and loss of soil. Our waterways have become drains so when we get some rain it is generally gone before it can be utilised by the adjoining properties. Consequently, the water cycle is broken, and combined with the loss of vegetation, is the greatest contributor to warming the planet.

Fortunately more and more farmers and landholders are understanding the opportunities that exist and are seeking TMI’s help to get started on their properties and in their catchments. We have the happy situation that our resources are being stretched as we respond to urgent needs from all over the country. Increasingly people are realising the urgency of fixing this problem so we will be seeking financial support to better serve this need. 

While we have been successful with some modest government support in various locations, we hope to attract more corporate, philanthropic and individual financial support between now and the end of the financial year. A reminder that all donations to TMI to get this work done are fully tax deductible.

Related stories

National Farmers’ Federations’ $100 billion target, NSW Country hour, ABC Rural, featuring TMI’s Gary Nairn, 26 February 2021

Regen Ag focus as NSW Farm Writers gather, The Land, 1 March 2021