Climate change
Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to the Earth and all its inhabitants. Here we begin to break down this complex issue, illustrate some of the devastation caused by climate change, and share some approaches to solving this problem.
What is climate change?
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Climate change has become a familiar topic. As commonly used, the term refers to long-term changes to the Earth’s average weather patterns such as rises in global temperatures and sea levels, changes in the frequency and intensity of weather events like floods and droughts, and retreats of glaciers, to name just a few. The primary driver of climate change is heightened emissions of substances known as “greenhouse gases” (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, methane) that stem from human activities like the use of fossil fuels. Other human activities like large-scale deforestation and pollution also contribute to climate change. While not a leading cause, natural processes like cyclical ocean patterns (e.g., El Niño/La Niña) can amplify the impacts of climate change.
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Climate change is a problem and I think it is affecting the whole country, but this Tiyeni technology is helping to combat the climate change. When there is a dry spell the whole process of farming is affected, but because of this technology the crops during the dry season will survive. |
Climate change and its consequences pose a severe existential crisis. Increases in the frequency and intensity of catastrophes such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and wildfires cause widespread humanitarian crises. The infographic below provides just a small window into some of the devastating effects of climate change.
Some areas are affected more by climate change than others. For example, many of the world’s lowest-income countries are hit the hardest by climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. Low-income countries are also less equipped to mitigate and adapt to climate change, causing ongoing exponential threats to their populations.
Humans are not the only life forms to suffer from climate change. Accelerated changes to ecosystems are forcing countless species to relocate to alien environments where they are ill-equipped to live. Many species are unable to find any way to survive and have become casualties of the unprecedented levels of extinction brought on by climate change. These rapid alterations wreak havoc on the delicate balances and relationships that have carefully evolved between plants, animals, and the natural environment over thousands of years.
Climate change and agriculture
Agriculture is a major global contributor to climate change. The industry produces among the highest levels of greenhouse gasses. Agriculture is also primary driver of deforestation due to the seemingly constant need to convert more land for agricultural use. Conventional agriculture also utilises many practices that advance climate change in and of themselves, such as by degrading soil quality and threatening biodiversity (i.e., the rich variety of living species on Earth that are essential to its functioning).
But it’s not all bad news! Some farming methods, known as climate-smart agriculture, can actually improve and regenerate the natural environment. Climate-smart agriculture works in harmony with the land so that people, planet, and plants achieve mutual benefits. The infographic below provides a few examples of some practices used in climate-smart agriculture that are not only improvements on conventional agriculture, but can actually undo some of the damage these unsustainable methods have caused! Climate-smart agriculture also helps communities cope with the effects of climate change. Climate-smart agriculture methods are designed to be more resilient to extreme weather events like floods and drought, providing farmers and their communities with greater food security through better crop yields.
But it’s not all bad news! Some farming methods, known as climate-smart agriculture, can actually improve and regenerate the natural environment. Climate-smart agriculture works in harmony with the land so that people, planet, and plants achieve mutual benefits. The infographic below provides a few examples of some practices used in climate-smart agriculture that are not only improvements on conventional agriculture, but can actually undo some of the damage these unsustainable methods have caused! Climate-smart agriculture also helps communities cope with the effects of climate change. Climate-smart agriculture methods are designed to be more resilient to extreme weather events like floods and drought, providing farmers and their communities with greater food security through better crop yields.
Tiyeni’s Deep Bed Farming is a form of climate-smart agriculture. Our method shares many practices with other forms of climate-smart agriculture, such as the examples in the infographic above. However, Deep Bed Farming distinguishes itself from other forms of climate-smart agriculture by breaking a compacted layer of soil known as the “hardpan” (or “hoe pan”) that is present across much of sub-Saharan Africa . The hardpan prevents roots, water, and air from penetrating deeply into the soil, causing problems like low crop yields, poor soil health, and high levels of soil erosion. Land is unable to adapt to the changing climate, intensifying the effects of climate change for Malawi and its population.
Explore how soil health and climate change are linked and how Deep Bed Farming serves as a powerful tool for addressing these issues by clicking the buttons below.
Explore how soil health and climate change are linked and how Deep Bed Farming serves as a powerful tool for addressing these issues by clicking the buttons below.
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