A Climate Solution? The Wisdom Passed Down Through Generations | Louise Mabulo | TED

Summary

In the provided transcript, the speaker, Louise, shares her journey from childhood skepticism to a profound appreciation for traditional farming wisdom. Raised on stories and advice from her family, she initially dismissed their unconventional farming methods, such as planting rocks under sweet potatoes and aligning planting with lunar cycles. However, as she grew up to work on the climate crisis and established the Cacao Project, she discovered that these practices had a scientific basis. The rocks improved drainage and attracted beneficial creatures, while the lunar cycles influenced pollination and water patterns. Louise's work now involves blending traditional knowledge with modern science to create resilient agroforests. She emphasizes the importance of preserving and understanding the wisdom within family traditions and local communities, suggesting that the solutions to climate change may lie in the accumulated knowledge of generations.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The speaker's childhood experiences with farming involved learning unconventional methods passed down by family members.
• 👵 Grandparents shared advice that ranged from practical to seemingly bizarre, such as planting rocks under sweet potatoes and planting according to lunar cycles.
• 🌪️ The speaker's father suggested using a specific whistle tone to harness the wind for sifting rice or cocoa nibs.
• 🤔 As an adult, the speaker questioned the reasoning behind these traditional farming practices.
• 🌿 The speaker's work involves building resilient agroforests to combat the effects of climate change and super typhoons.
• 🍫 The Cacao Project, an initiative by the speaker, aims to create sustainable agroforests and work closely with farmers.
• 🔬 The speaker combines traditional knowledge with modern science to find practical solutions to climate change.
• 🌕 Lunar cycles were found to be linked to beneficial agricultural outcomes, such as improved pollination and fruit harvests.
• 🪨 Planting rocks under root crops improved drainage and created habitats for beneficial organisms, acting as natural fertilizers.
• 🎵 Whistling for wind, while not scientifically explained, was observed to work in practice, possibly a form of traditional wisdom.
• 🌳 The speaker posits that traditional knowledge and stories may hold the keys to better land stewardship and ecosystem resilience.
• 🌟 The solutions to climate change may not be a single grand solution but could be found in the accumulated wisdom of communities and families.
• 📚 The responsibility to carry forward this traditional knowledge into the modern age and to explain its effectiveness is a privilege and an exciting opportunity.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial attitude towards her family's farming practices?

The speaker was initially skeptical and begrudgingly followed her family, not fully believing in the unconventional advice they offered.

What was the grandfather's advice for planting good root crops?

The grandfather suggested planting rocks underneath sweet potatoes to improve their quality.

How did the speaker's grandmother believe one should plant fruit-bearing trees for the best harvest?

The grandmother believed in planting according to lunar cycles, favoring the full moon over the new moon for better pollination and fruit production.

What was the speaker's father's peculiar method for sifting rice or cocoa nibs?

The father recommended whistling a certain tone to harness the wind and remove dust from rice or cocoa nibs.

What is the Cacao Project that the speaker established?

The Cacao Project is an initiative that aims to build resilient agroforests and work closely with farmers to better manage ecosystems and landscapes in the face of climate change.

How does the speaker describe her dream job?

The speaker's dream job involves making chocolates for restoration, which allows her to combine her love for chocolate with her work in agriculture and environmental conservation.

What does the speaker suggest about the practicality of traditional farming techniques?

The speaker suggests that traditional farming techniques, though they may seem bizarre, can have practical applications and effectiveness when combined with modern science.

What was the outcome when the speaker and farmers experimented with planting rocks under sweet potatoes?

When they planted rocks under sweet potatoes, the yield was better, sweeter, and more delicious, indicating that the old advice had merit.

How are lunar cycles connected to farming practices according to the speaker?

Lunar cycles are connected to insect flight activity and reproduction, which in turn affects pollination and fruit production. They are also tied to irrigation and water patterns.

What was the actual benefit of planting rocks under root crops as suggested by the speaker's grandfather?

Planting rocks under root crops improved drainage and created an ecosystem that attracted worms and other creatures, which acted as natural fertilizers.

What is the speaker's perspective on the potential solutions to the climate crisis?

The speaker believes that the solutions to the climate crisis may not be a single, grand solution but could be found in the accumulated wisdom and practices passed down through generations and communities.

What responsibility does the speaker feel as a young person working in the environmental field?

The speaker feels a responsibility to carry on and pass down the traditional knowledge and practices to the next generation, integrating them with modern science to build resilience against climate change.