In Between Times 5-22-2024
Silicon Valley forms carbon coalition, China keeps expanding coal output, Regenerative farming is really taking off
Google, Meta, Microsoft & Salesforce launch Symbiosis Coalition, a group of corporate buyers aiming to accelerate high-quality nature-based carbon removals
Together these companies constitute a significant part of the American and global economy. It is interesting that they have decided to focus on “nature based” carbon sequestration techniques as opposed to say, direct air carbon capture, which is a technology still in its infant stages (but might be a bit sexier).
(From Sustainability Magazine)
Industry giants Google, Meta, Microsoft and Salesforce are combining to co-found Symbiosis Coalition, a high-powered group of corporate buyers aiming to speed up high-quality nature-based carbon removals.
Mike Werner, Head of Sustainability Programmes & Innovation, Global Sustainability, Google, said: “Protecting and restoring nature is essential to combat climate change and reach a resilient, prosperous future.
“Nature-based carbon removal projects are a scalable way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but nature is complex and dynamic, and it’s full of interdependent ecological and economic systems.
Click here for the article.
Zero-carbon cement process could slash emissions from construction
Cement is one of the greatest sources of carbon emissions. But the world also can’t live without the stuff. Zero-carbon concrete would be a game changer.
(From New Scientist)
Laboratory trials have proved the process works. It offers a “drop in” solution that could be used with conventional equipment, and a global switch to this process could save up to 3 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide a year, the team calculates.
The research team is now working on industrial trials via a spin-out company, Cambridge Electric Cement, with partners such as construction firms Balfour Beatty and Tarmac. “Within the next few weeks, we are starting a set of trials which will be producing batches of 30 tonnes per hour,” says Allwood.
Click here for the article.
China's Australian coal imports hit 4-year high in April
Meanwhile the Chinese economy continues to consume coal in massive amounts.
(From Construction World)
The resumption of coal imports is largely driven by China's need to secure a stable energy supply amid increasing domestic demand and geopolitical uncertainties. Australian coal, known for its high quality, plays a crucial role in China's energy mix, particularly for steel production and power generation. The renewed imports also reflect improved diplomatic ties between Beijing and Canberra.
Click here for the article.
China’s Coal country to boost output
Why regenerative farming needs to start with the soil
The soil is everything with regenerative farming. Get the soil healthy again, and break the addiction to pesticides/herbicides/deep tilling practices (which takes both time and money) and the end product of a farm becomes much healthier for consumers and the planet at large.
(From Farmers Weekly)
Farmers adopting a regenerative farming system should focus on improving the functionality of the soil and accept that it will take time to see results, says a leading consultant.
By starting with soil health, everything that is introduced as part of the new approach – such as zero-tillage, cover crops and a more diverse rotation – contributes to this goal and helps to make the farm more resilient.
Regenerative agriculture also provides the basis of the wider social and environmental benefits that are increasingly being expected from food production.
Click here for the article.
These books on regenerative farming teach you how to improve soil health & food security
Small scale regenerative agriculture
ADM’s Global Regenerative Agriculture Program named to Fast Company’s 2024 List of World Changing Ideas
ADM is one of the biggest food companies on the planet, a behemoth. It is signalling to the market that regenerative agriculture is important. It will be interesting to watch over the next year and beyond to see if this program is expanded. We are hopeful as regenerative agriculture can be profitable for farmers if they can get through the transition period from old ways to new. ADM is helping to facilitate part of this transition for some of its farmers.
(From Business Wire)
The program has seen rapid success in the past year. In 2023, ADM delivered more than 2.8 million regenerative acres, exceeding its 2-million-acre goal, partnering with more than 28,000 growers of corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, cotton, sorghum, canola and barley as it expanded its regenerative agriculture efforts to new regions, including the launch of programs in Europe and Latin America.
Building on the program’s outstanding success in 2023, in April 2024 ADM announced that it is now targeting 3.5 million regenerative acres in 2024 and is increasing its 2025 goal from 4 million to 5 million acres globally – an area roughly the size of Massachusetts.
Click here for the article.
Report makes five recommendations to promote regenerative farming
The recommendations come from Ivey Business School in Canada and they are aimed at farmers as they begin to embrace regenerative practices.
Click here for the article.
Event
May 28 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT
The Evolution of Digital Literacy in the Age of AI
Location: Online
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), understanding what AI is has become vital for navigating the internet safely and effectively. Join BPC for a panel discussion on the profound impacts AI has on our digital ecosystem, including social media feeds and cybersecurity practices. Professors and tech experts will discuss how the misuse of AI-generated content can negatively impact our mental health and online security. We will dive into the technology skills digital consumers need to adapt to this new information age and what federal policy options are being proposed to increase knowledge of AI uses.
Click here to register.
