May 31 to June 7, 2024
“4 per 1000” initiative - Quotation - Sustainable Agriculture - Carbon Farming - Soil
10 May 2024
Carbon Farming: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture and Agroforestry - Soil - Food Security - Forest - Carbon
Agriculture - Farming couple - Film - Transformation from a conventional farm - Rewilding - UK
6 June 2024
‘We sold everything off, even the semen flasks’: the film about the farming couple who struck gold by rewilding
Knepp estate was £1.5m in debt. Now it thrums with wildlife, visitors flock there – and farmers are stampeding to copy its success. We meet the star of a captivating film about this amazing rebirth
[Film] - The inspiring story of British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, benefit our health and provide for local communities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaJl0yQ7ufQ
https://www.sixinchesofsoil.org/
Agriculture - New sustainable agriculture programme - Scottish farmers - Pernod Ricard - Chivas Brothers
5 June 2024
Pernod Ricard launches new sustainable agriculture programme for Scottish farmers
Chivas Brothers, a Scotch whisky business owned by Pernod Ricard, has unveiled plans to reduce the environmental impact of grain production and to safeguard crops from climate-related risks.
Agriculture - Food - Sustainable farm products - China - Group COFCO International
3 June 2024
China takes nascent steps towards sourcing sustainable farm products
China's flagship food group COFCO International landed its first cargo of deforestation-free soybeans for domestic use on Friday, marking what industry players say is a milestone for a country that has prioritised price over sustainability in its farm imports.
Agriculture - Food - Sustainable chocolate - Cocoa - Scientists
1 June 2024
Scientists develop method of making healthier, more sustainable chocolate
Approach replaces sugar with mashed pulp and husk of cocoa pod and uses less land and water
Agriculture - Livestock - Desertification - Regeneration - Holistic management - Soil - Agricultural practices - Allan Savory - Savory Institute
27 May 2024
We Asked Allan Savory How We Could Locally Reverse Desertification?
https://www.captainforest.com/how-to-reverse-desertification/
Agriculture - Sustainable Agriculture - Farmers - Rice - Vietnam
30 May 2024
How ‘Farmfluencers’ Are Making Vietnam’s Rice Fields More Sustainable
To reduce the footprint of the crop that feeds the country, farmers are teaching one another greener methods.
Agriculture - Scientists - Farmers - Restoration - Aztec-era floating farms - Mexico
31 May 2024
Scientists and farmers restore Aztec-era floating farms that house axolotls
* In 1987, UNESCO declared the Xochimilco wetland area in southern Mexico City a World Heritage Site, recognizing in particular its chinampas, an ancient agricultural system in use since the time of the Aztecs.
* In the past few decades, Xochimilco’s levels of production and of biodiversity have shifted: people have changed the purpose of many chinampas, and the population of axolotl salamanders, an iconic species endemic to the area, has decreased drastically.
* Scientists from the Ecological Restoration Laboratory at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and farmers from the area are promoting a comprehensive restoration program to conserve this group of chinampas and all the living things that depend on it.
Agriculture - Abandoned farmlands - Climate change - United States - Study
29 May 2024
[Press release] - Abandoned farmlands could play a role in fighting climate change. A new study shows exactly where they are
Researchers mapped over 12 million hectares of abandoned farmland in the United States that could be used for solar farming, growing energy crops or restoring to natural ecosystems — see the press release or the full paper. [source Nature Beat#31]
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1046354?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Biodiversity - Loss of plant diversity - Emissions - Massive climate trouble - Study
5 June 2024
Emissions from loss of plant diversity spells massive climate trouble: Study
* A new study suggests that the loss of plant species due to climate change and human activities could release vast amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, potentially accelerating climate change.
* The researchers estimate that losing plant diversity worldwide could release up to 146 billion metric tons of carbon from vegetation, equivalent to more than 12 years of global car emissions.
* Biodiversity hotspots like the Amazon, Central Africa and Southeast Asia could be hit hardest by both species loss and carbon storage declines, while even moderate diversity losses over large areas could significantly impact emissions.
* The findings highlight the urgent need to address biodiversity loss and climate change together, as conserving biodiverse ecosystems can help mitigate carbon emissions.
Biodiversity - Farm land - Restoration - South Downs National Park - Biodiversity investment - UK
27 May 2024
South Downs investment scheme to 'boost biodiversity'
South Downs National Park will be the first in the UK to offer a biodiversity investment scheme for businesses aiming to improve the biodiversity of the land. The park authority has earmarked 500 hectares of farm and country estate land across the park for investment for nature recovery as part of the park authority's ReNature campaign. The authority is hoping that 33% of the park will be managed solely for nature by 2030. [source Capital for Climate]
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxeel80v6y2o
Funding - Environment - Nature based solutions - Agriculture - Food - UNDP - Global Environment Facility - Blue and Green Islands
28 May 2024
[Press release] - New $135 million initiative will support Small Island Developing States to tackle drivers of environmental degradation
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility launched a new $135 million Blue and Green Islands Integrated Program (BGI-IP) today during the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4). This initiative aims to emphasize the crucial role of nature and expand nature-based solutions to combat environmental degradation in three key sectors: urban development, food production, and tourism. Targeting 15 SIDS, the program seeks to foster nature-positive changes. Managed by the UNDP and funded by the GEF and partners, this effort represents a new wave of support for SIDS as they embark on the Decade of Action from 2024 to 2034. [source Nature Beat#31]
Sols - Sols agricoles - Dégradation - Europe - France - Etude
6 juin 2024
10 % des sols agricoles européens seraient dégradés selon une étude
Une étude estime que 10 % des terres agricoles sont dégradés, mettant ainsi en péril la sécurité alimentaire du continent. La France est particulièrement touchée par la pollution due aux produits phytosanitaires.
https://www.reussir.fr/10-des-sols-agricoles-europeens-seraient-degrades-selon-une-etude
Agriculture - Biochar - Définitions - Sols - Sols agricoles - Santé des sols
3 juin 2024
La filiere du Biochar et la troisieme révolution verte : De la régénération des sols agricoles, la séquestration de carbone, l’énergie, l’électricité à la dépollution des sols et des effluents
Agriculture - Agriculture régénératrice - Définitions - Sols - Santé des sols
30 mai 2024
Hype or Hope? L’agriculture régénératrice sous la loupe
https://dividende.be/agriculture/hype-or-hope-lagriculture-regeneratrice-sous-la-loupe/44/
Agriculture - Agriculture régénératrice - Sols - Qualité des sols - Alimentation - Environnement
6 juin 2024
Produire en repassant sous les limites planétaires
Les Céréalistes, événement organisé par la coopérative Vivescia du 3 au 6 juin 2024, ont été l’occasion d’une conférence scientifique sur les enjeux de la qualité des sols pour produire des denrées alimentaires avec un moindre impact sur l’environnement.
Agriculture - Agriculteurs - Agricultrices - Consultation - Avis - The Shift Project
4 juin 2024
Agriculteurs, agricultrices, donnez votre avis sur http://grandeconsultationagri.fr/ !
Le Shift lance une "Grande Consultation des Agriculteurs" afin de recueillir des retours du terrain et enrichir nos travaux en cours sur l’avenir de l’agriculture. Chaque contribution est précieuse, pour s’assurer de l’alignement du travail du Shift Project avec la réalité vécue sur le terrain. Exclusivement adressé aux agriculteurs et aux agricultrices, ce questionnaire d'environ 15 min sera analysé pour enrichir le rapport final "Pour une agriculture bas carbone, résiliente et prospère" dont la publication est prévue le 28 novembre prochain. Les réponses à cette consultation permettront d’enrichir l’étude du Shift Project qui vise à analyser les enjeux physiques et les risques auxquels est confronté le secteur et à formuler des propositions éclairées pour y faire face.
Participez à la grande consultation : https://s2.sphinxonline.net/SurveyServer/s/theshiftproject/LaGrandeConsultationdesAgriculteurs/questionnaire.htm?Origine=0
Plus d’infos : https://theshiftproject.org/article/grande-consultation-agri/
Agriculture - Sols - Alimentation - Cacao - Chocolat - Agriculture durable - Kaoka
30 mai 2024
Crise du cacao : Kaoka appelle à un engagement global pour soutenir une agriculture cacaoyère durable
Biodiversité - Arbres - Sols - Organismes du sol - Changement climatique
5 juin 2024
Comment la biodiversité contribue à la lutte contre le changement climatique
La diversité des espèces d’arbres en forêt marque plus qu’on ne le croit les organismes du sol. Or, aussi petits soient-ils, ils peuvent grandement atténuer certains effets des sécheresses.
Sols - Erosion - Sols vivants - Agriculture - Cultures - Prairies
31 mai 2024
Inondations, coulées de boues, érosion des sols : comment agir ? Une question posée par un maire du Pas-de-Calais
Ces derniers mois, le Pas-de-Calais a vécu inondations dramatiques, coulées de boues soudaines et érosion des sols de façon inédite. A Rivière, au sud d'Arras, le maire appelle ses collègues élus et agriculteurs à prendre la mesure de l'état des sols qui aggravent les conséquences de ces phénomènes climatiques.
Agriculture - Géomatique - Intelligence artificielle - IA - Tech - Grandes cultures - Université de Sherbrooke - Université Laval - CEROM - IRDA
30 mai 2024
Protéger l'agriculture avec la géomatique et l’intelligence artificielle
https://www.usherbrooke.ca/actualites/nouvelles/details/52933
Policies and Governments
COP28 - COP29 - Article 6 - The Nature Conservancy
30 May 2024
The Nature Conservancy shares an explainer on Article 6, examining COP 28 outcomes, the implications of decision-making failures in Dubai on Articles 6.2 and 6.4, and the topics for COP29. It also scrutinizes the current status of Article 6.2 agreements, the implementation of Article 6 by host countries, and its impact on voluntary carbon markets. [source Nature4Climate]
https://nature4climate.org/natures-solutions/latest-scientific-papers/article-6-explainer/
Europe - European farming - Common Agricultural Policy - Green deal - Next parliament
30 May 2024
Fork in the road: How a right turn will change European farming
The next parliament is likely to push back harder against the green farming agenda and faces a challenge to reform the Common Agricultural Policy.
France - Sénat - Proposition de résolution - Sols - Surveillance - Résilience - Europe
30 mai 2024
Surveillance et résilience des sols
Proposition de résolution n° 649 (2023-2024) de Mme Gisèle JOURDA et M. Cyril PELLEVAT, déposée au Sénat le 30 mai 2024 - Proposition de résolution européenne sur la proposition de directive du Parlement européen et du Conseil relative à la surveillance et à la résilience des sols (directive sur la surveillance des sols) - COM(2023) 416 final,
https://www.senat.fr/leg/ppr23-649.html
Maroc - Mohammed Sadiki - Agriculture - Sols - Partenariat Mondial sur les Sols - GSP
4 juin 2024
Agriculture : M.Sadiki met en exergue les efforts du Maroc en matière de gestion de la fertilité des sols
Le ministre de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime, du Développement Rural et des Eaux et Forêts, Mohammed Sadiki, a mis en exergue, lundi, les efforts du Maroc en matière de gestion de la fertilité des sols.
Mexique - Elections - Présidente - Claudia Sheinbaum - Science - GIEC
3 juin 2024
Claudia Sheinbaum, ancienne scientifique du GIEC, et première femme présidente du Mexique
Ancienne scientifique du GIEC, experte des sujets climatiques, Claudia Sheinbaum vient d’être largement élue présidente du Mexique. Et si elle était l’incarnation d’une gauche mexicaine nouvelle, préoccupée par les questions sociales et environnementales ?
France - Assemblée Nationale - Agriculture - Souveraineté alimentaire - Loi d’orientation
30 mai 2024
Loi d’orientation : les cinq mesures rajoutées par les députés
Les députés ont fini leur travail d’examen de la loi d’orientation pour la souveraineté alimentaire et agricole et le renouvellement des générations. Ils ont apporté plusieurs modifications au texte.
Tools and Reports
Practical guide - Ecosystem restoration - Agriculture - Soil - Soil Health - UN Environment programme - World Environment Day 2024
5 June 2024
This practical guide is designed to help get everyone involved in ecosystem restoration.
https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/practical-guide
Download this pratical guide :
Investment in nature-related sustainability goals - Economists - Report - UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre
June 2024
A report by economists at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre says investment in nature-related sustainability goals could deliver returns more than 20 times greater.
Research and Studies
Soil - Land degradation pathways - Modelling - Agriculture - Study
8 May 2024
A unifying modelling of multiple land degradation pathways in Europe - Remus Prăvălie and all
Land degradation is a complex socio-environmental threat, which generally occurs as multiple concurrent pathways that remain largely unexplored in Europe. Here we present an unprecedented analysis of land multi-degradation in 40 continental countries, using twelve dataset-based processes that were modelled as land degradation convergence and combination pathways in Europe’s agricultural (and arable) environments. Using a Land Multi-degradation Index, we find that up to 27%, 35% and 22% of continental agricultural (~2 million km2) and arable (~1.1 million km2) lands are currently threatened by one, two, and three drivers of degradation, while 10–11% of pan-European agricultural/arable landscapes are cumulatively affected by four and at least five concurrent processes. We also explore the complex pattern of spatially interacting processes, emphasizing the major combinations of land degradation pathways across continental and national boundaries. Our results will enable policymakers to develop knowledge-based strategies for land degradation mitigation and other critical European sustainable development goals.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48252-x
