Global Climate Solutions

By Ryan D. Hottle

It’s an absolutely inspiring concept to realize that with a bit of ecological ingenuity, appropriate technology, and hard work, we can actual reverse desertification and produce healthful, sustainable foods, fibers for clothing, and fuel for heating, cooking, and electrification—as Geoff Lawson describes it, “Greening the Desert.”  

Now image we take this “Permaculture” approach to reversing desertification and we add to it Carbon Negative Energy production that supplies us with Biochar, a powerful charcoal-based soil amendment that improves nutrient and water retention in soils.

Water scarcity, drought, and desertification are only going to intensify as the global average temperature continues to rise, and global weather patterns shift. Though some areas may actually benefit from changes in the climate (such as Northern Canada and Russia) most will suffer from unpredictable, heavier, and less frequent rainfall patterns. Dry areas will undoubtedly be hit the worst.

In “Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet,” Mark Lynas describes the threat to the western United States (which is dependent on the pumping of fossil water reserves from the Olagalla reservoir that only has a 20-30 supply left for irrigation) as such:

“In a world that is less than a degree warmer overall, the western United States could once again be plagued by perennial droughts—devastating agriculture and driving out human inhabitants on a scale far larger than the 1930’s calamity.”

For Africa and other third-world countries the situation is even more dire:

“As always, drought will play a key role. Agriculture in Africa’s semiarid tropics is largely rain fed rather than based on irrigation, so is highly vulnerable to climatic shifts. North Africa could lose up to 20 percent of its rainfall, whereas in southern areas decreases of 5 to 15 percent will come right in the middle of the growing season. Agricultural modeling studies for the tropics as a whole project crippling declines in wheat, corn, and rice production.”

Without the economic or infrastructural means to respond to such a crisis, the sheer number of people affected could be absolutely massive.  Thus, climate change is at as much a moral-ethical crisis as it is an environmental one.  It is incumbent upon us-especially us in the priviledged countries-to do all we can to help those in need.  

As always, the solutions are out there. Rainwater catchment and storage, drip-irrigation technology, improved seed varieties, Permaculture-based planning including swales, ponds, and on-contour design, and Biochar production from Carbon Negative Energy offer an incredibly well-outfitted sustainable toolbox.

We have but one beautiful planet to protect and but precious little time to do it in. What we choose to do—or not to do—in the next five to ten years will make all the difference. Be prepared to work hard and work together—that’s the only way we’re going to win!