After a scorching summer, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has issued a warning that the world is now in the “era of global boiling.” So, what can we do about it? We all know that addressing climate change is a monumental task, but according to the late Donella Meadows, a pioneer in systems thinking, one way to change complex systems is to identify the leverage points that can lead to significant impact.
When it comes to climate change, the obvious common factor is carbon emissions. Carbon, along with other elements like hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, make up almost 99 percent of the human body mass. Water and carbon dioxide are essential for life in all its forms. However, since the advent of agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels, we have been emitting carbon at an alarming rate, causing global warming, the melting of ice caps, rising sea levels, and other dire consequences. This vicious cycle poses a threat to our food and water supply, biodiversity, and even our very existence. It also leads to conflicts and wars over dwindling resources, as we have witnessed in places like Ukraine.
To address the challenges of food, water, and carbon capture, we need to focus on the soil—the foundation of our food production and water supply. While the oceans play a significant role in carbon capture and marine food, most people live on land and depend on farming for their sustenance. Soil degradation is already a major concern, with more than a third of the world’s soil already damaged. If we continue on this path, soil degradation could reach a staggering 90 percent by 2050, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This degradation not only affects food production but also accelerates the depletion of resources.
In rural communities, people grow their own food, but in urban areas, large-scale industrial food production is necessary to meet the demands of a growing population. However, this industrial system is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few corporations. Not only does this lead to the destruction of forests through deforestation, but it also undermines the soil’s health, which relies on complex ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Therefore, saving the soil is vital for our future.
Recently, there has been a growing understanding that a farmer-centered approach to regenerating the soil and improving food production can tackle not only the food crisis but also address water shortages and carbon capture. In Europe, a coalition has been formed to explore regenerative agricultural initiatives. Developing countries, too, have realized the importance of food self-sufficiency after experiencing shocks in grain and fertilizer supply due to conflicts and export limitations. This has put food security high on the policy agenda, as high food prices can have destabilizing effects on society. By giving more policy attention to domestic farmers and promoting permaculture, which fosters crop diversity and soil regeneration, we can make significant strides towards a sustainable future. In fact, farm practices like reforestation can even create new income streams through the sale of carbon credits.
Regenerating the soil, forests, and water sources should be seen as social impact projects, as crucial as public infrastructure like transportation and ports. These projects may not provide high financial returns, but they offer substantial social returns. Additionally, at the city level, vertical farming using organic composts and fertilizers can enhance food self-sufficiency and buffer against disruptions in the global food system.
Solving climate change and social injustice requires us to do more with less. By regenerating the soil beneath our feet, we can produce more healthy and nutritious food for a larger population without resorting to conflict. Climate change is a transformative shift, and those who understand the systemic nature of the problem and adapt locally will be the ones to survive. Denying the need for change will only lead to our downfall.
Andrew Sheng, former chair of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, highlights the importance of addressing these issues. This article was originally published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and is part of the Asia News Network, an alliance of media titles in the region.
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