SnippETS for 4 July 2019

Welcome to our latest SnippETS newsletter.

In this edition of SnippETS we look at whether our national emissions targets are too conservative and what we can learn from the climate change policy approach from other nations.

We cover how carbon can be stored in soils by regenerative farming practices and how farming crickets could be a low emissions alternative for NZ's agriculture industry.

Next we talk trees, how shorter workweeks help reduce emissions, compare the emission reductions from solar panels vs EVs and finish with some climate visualisation to help spread the word about the science of our change climate.

New Zealand is among the many nations that have pledged to limit global warming increases to 1.5C. But on a global scale – are we doing enough?According to Climate Action Tracker (CAT), if they were to rate NZ's projected emissions levels under current policies, it would rate NZ "Highly Insufficient," indicating that current policies are not consistent with holding warming to below 2C, let alone limiting it to 1.5C as required under the Paris Agreement. Read more.....

New Zealand's current polices are seen as “Highly Insufficient” because of our conservative approach to reducing agricultural emissions. In contrast, Ireland, which has a similar emissions profile to NZ, has announced the agricultural sector is capable of reducing its emissions by 10%-15% by 2030, plus a further 12% through additional land use changes and forestry actions. Thus, in total agriculture would cut emissions by almost 30% in just over a decade. Read more.....

One of the opportunities to reduce agricultural emissions is through regenerative agriculture - an approach to farming that focuses on soil health and overall resiliency through management techniques such as minimal or no tillage, crop rotation and cover cropping. The US based Terraton Initiative has an ambitious goal of removing 1 trillion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by sequestering it in agricultural soil and will pay farmers to implement these regenerative practices. Read more.....

While we are discussing farming, a local initiative may be the answer we need to solve the issue of lowering carbon emissions while farming protein. A Wairarapa farmer is now farming protein of a different sort – making “flour” (powder) from crickets. They are highly nutritious, and use very little land, water and energy relative to livestock farming. Maybe the land no longer needed for protein production could be used for other carbon sink activities, like reforestation? Read more.....

Can planting billion of trees save the planet? There are many benefits to planting trees, forests can stop runaway global heating, encourage rainfall, guarantee clean water, reduce air pollution, and provide livelihoods for local people and reserves for rare wildlife. Reforestation could provide 37% of the greenhouse gas mitigation required to provide a good chance of stabilising global heating below the 2 degree threshold, get planting! Read more.....

Most of us probably overlook the personal benefits trees can bring, going back to nature can make us feel better. A study published in January 2018, found that exposure to trees, the sky and birdsong in cities improved mental wellbeing. The benefits were still evident several hours after the exposure. With most of us living in built up urban environments, it’s important to remember the benefits of taking a stroll in the park/reserve to de-stress and get back to nature. Read more.....

Several countries have contemplated going to a four-day work week in the name of creating a better life to work balance, and experiments have shown positive results. Now it seems we may have another reason to chillax more and call it “combatting climate change”. This article lays out the arguments for reducing emissions by working less. So, next time the boss catches you sleeping at your desk, just say that you are a climate warrior! Read more.....

If you want to make a positive impact on your personal carbon footprint, should you install solar power or buy an electric car? This article lays out the facts and sets the record straight, for those who are interested. Keep in mind that there are many other ways to reduce carbon that are not covered in this article; things like riding a bicycle or walking for example. Read more.....

In a new web-based campaign, you may now go and find the “Climate Stripes” that represent your part of the world. These are graphical renditions of the local warming patterns since 1901; with blue depicting cooler years, and red depicting warmer years. The images may be downloaded and used to highlight the importance of climate change. Read more.....