Fight Desertification & Reverse Climate Change - by Allan Savory. TED Talk series...MUST WATCH VIDEO

Summary

This powerful talk delves into the global issue of desertification and its profound impact on climate change, hunger, and social instability. The speaker highlights how overgrazing, deforestation, and poor land management have led to environmental degradation, particularly in areas with seasonal humidity. Using the example of planned grazing and mimicking natural herd movements, the speaker demonstrates a solution that not only combats desertification but also restores ecosystems, improves crop yields, and sequesters carbon. The message is hopeful, showing how these techniques can reverse environmental damage and provide a sustainable future for humanity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world is facing a 'perfect storm' due to rising population, desertification, and climate change.
• 😀 While technology can help replace fossil fuels, it's not the only solution to climate change; desertification also plays a crucial role.
• 😀 Desertification is the result of bare ground, often caused by overgrazing, and it leads to carbon release into the atmosphere.
• 😀 Humidity and water retention in the soil are key factors in preventing desertification, and the green areas generally do not desertify.
• 😀 Two-thirds of the earth's land is desertifying, and most of it can be seen from space through satellite imagery.
• 😀 The common belief that desertification only occurs in arid areas is false; even high rainfall areas can desertify if the soil is damaged.
• 😀 Livestock, especially cattle, sheep, and goats, have traditionally been blamed for desertification due to overgrazing, but this view is being challenged.
• 😀 By mimicking natural processes and using livestock to manage grazing, desertification can be reversed and carbon can be stored in the soil.
• 😀 The author found that traditional management practices and modern science, when combined, could restore degraded lands by mimicking nature.
• 😀 Holistic management and planned grazing are vital tools to reverse desertification, improve soil health, and increase agricultural productivity.
• 😀 Successful implementation of these practices has been demonstrated in various parts of the world, including Africa, Mexico, and Patagonia, with significant improvements in soil health, water retention, and ecosystem productivity.

Q & A

What is the 'perfect storm' the speaker refers to?

The 'perfect storm' refers to the convergence of several global challenges, including rising population, climate change, and desertification, all of which threaten the planet's ecosystems and our ability to sustain human life.

What causes desertification, according to the speaker?

Desertification is caused by human actions that lead to the creation of bare ground, often due to overgrazing, deforestation, or unsustainable land management practices. This leads to soil degradation and the transformation of productive land into desert-like environments.

How does the speaker challenge the common belief about livestock and desertification?

The speaker challenges the common belief that livestock, especially cattle, are the primary cause of desertification. Instead, they argue that livestock, when managed properly, can help restore land by mimicking the behavior of large, natural herds, which is essential for soil health and ecosystem balance.

What role does 'soil organic matter' play in desertification?

Soil organic matter is crucial for maintaining soil health, holding moisture, and preventing erosion. When soils are degraded and stripped of organic matter, carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Protecting and restoring soil organic matter is key to reversing desertification.

What is the speaker's approach to managing livestock to combat desertification?

The speaker advocates for 'holistic management' and 'planned grazing,' where livestock are moved in a way that mimics the natural grazing patterns of wild herds. This helps to maintain soil cover, prevent overgrazing, and restore the ecosystem by allowing vegetation to grow and hold water and carbon.

What impact does desertification have on the global climate?

Desertification contributes significantly to climate change by releasing stored carbon from the soil into the atmosphere. It also exacerbates environmental issues such as hunger, poverty, and social unrest, particularly in regions where land degradation is most severe.

How can livestock help in the fight against climate change?

When managed correctly, livestock can mimic the behavior of wild grazing animals, which naturally maintain ecosystem balance. This helps restore soil health, increases carbon sequestration in soils, and reduces the need for practices like burning land, which releases harmful pollutants.

What is the significance of the 'microclimate' mentioned in the speaker's argument?

The microclimate refers to the localized climate conditions that can be drastically altered by the presence of bare soil. When soil is exposed without vegetation or plant cover, it becomes much hotter during the day and cooler at night, further degrading the land and contributing to desertification.

What examples does the speaker provide to show the success of livestock-based restoration?

The speaker provides several examples of successful land restoration using livestock, including in Zimbabwe, the Kuru Desert, and Patagonia. In these cases, livestock were used to mimic natural grazing patterns, leading to increased grass production, healthier ecosystems, and improved water retention.

How does the speaker's view differ from traditional scientific approaches to desertification?

Traditional approaches often focus on reducing livestock numbers or using fire to manage vegetation. The speaker's view differs by emphasizing the importance of properly managing livestock to mimic natural processes, which has shown to be more effective in reversing desertification and promoting sustainable land use.