In recent years, there has been growing criticism that farms contribute towards climate change. Through mass animal farming, the use of pesticides and other chemicals, many farms produce high levels of carbon dioxide such as methane and nitrous oxide.
According to Farm Carbon Toolkit , agriculture is responsible for 9% of all greenhouse gas production in the UK. However, a new system of farming called regenerative agriculture could change this.
Regenerative agriculture is a style of farming that uses methods which reduce greenhouse gas production and capture carbon into the soil.
Tim Williams runs and owns a regenerative farm in Cornwall. He describes the processes and goals of regenerative farming.
” The aim of regenerative agriculture is to help heal the damage of past poor practices such as excessive tillage and synthetic chemical use.
“It works to enhance nature’s cycles such as maximizing photosynthesis in order to feed the soil and create a healthy, diverse ecosystem.”
He added this approach differs from other farms as the focus shifts from yields, to a more holistic outlook with a significant focus on soil health.
Currently, regenerative agriculture is not a widespread method of farming with most farms still adopting the standard methods of chemical use and mass animal farming.
Tim thinks that regenerative agriculture is the obvious way forward for farming to reduce its impact on climate change and the environment while still providing food.
“I not only believe that regenerative agriculture ‘could be’ the way forward for modern agriculture, I believe it should be the major pathway we lead in terms of food and farming. It holds the answers to so many of today’s issues such as soil loss, excessive environmental carbon, fossil fuel use, nutrient density, human health and ultimately planetary health”
Anyone looking to find out more about regenerative agriculture can look online at Regenerative Agriculture – The Definition of Regenerative Agriculture.
Or share your opinions with us on our social media with #ClimateAction
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