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.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Traditional Farming Wisdom and Modern Sustainability

The speaker, Louise, reflects on her childhood experiences with her family's unconventional farming practices. She recounts advice from her grandfather about planting rocks under sweet potatoes, her grandmother's lunar planting cycles, and her father's method of whistling to sift rice or cocoa nibs. Initially skeptical, Louise later discovers the practicality and effectiveness of these methods while working on climate resilience and agroforestry initiatives. She establishes the Cacao Project, which combines traditional knowledge with modern science to address climate change. Louise's work involves training farmers in regenerative practices, and she finds that the seemingly bizarre techniques from her family actually have scientific explanations and contribute to better crop yields and healthier ecosystems.

05:01

🌟 Harnessing the Magic of Traditional Knowledge

Louise explores the idea that the seemingly magical or irrational pieces of traditional knowledge might hold the key to better land stewardship and ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. She emphasizes the importance of carrying forward this wisdom to future generations and integrating it with modern practices. Louise believes that the solutions to the climate crisis might not be a single grand solution but could be found in the collective knowledge of communities, families, and the natural world. She feels honored to be part of a generation that can bring this knowledge into the modern age and explain its relevance and effectiveness. Louise concludes with an optimistic view that the world has a wealth of 'magic' and 'sorcery' to offer, which can be harnessed for the betterment of our planet.

Keywords

💡Agroforests

Agroforests are a land use management system that combines trees, crops, and/or livestock on the same piece of land. In the video, they are described as resilient systems that react well to intense super typhoons, which is crucial in the context of the climate crisis. The speaker works with farmers to build these agroforests, emphasizing their importance in sustainable land management and climate resilience.

💡Cacao Project

The Cacao Project is an initiative established by the speaker that focuses on building resilient agroforests and working closely with farmers. It is a practical example of how traditional knowledge and modern science can be combined to address climate change. The project is also tied to the speaker's 'dream job' of making chocolates for restoration, indicating the intersection of sustainable agriculture and business.

💡Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge refers to the accumulated wisdom, practices, and techniques developed by societies over generations, often related to land use, agriculture, and natural resource management. In the video, the speaker recounts the advice from her family members, which initially seemed bizarre but later proved to have practical applications. This knowledge is presented as a valuable resource that can be integrated with modern science to enhance climate resilience.

💡Lunar Cycles

Lunar cycles are the periods of change in the appearance of the moon as seen from Earth, which are used in various cultures to guide agricultural practices. The speaker's grandmother suggested planting according to lunar cycles, specifically towards the full moon, to achieve better harvests. Later, the speaker discovered a scientific basis for this practice, linking it to insect activity and pollination, which is crucial for fruit production.

💡Climate Crisis

The climate crisis, also known as the climate emergency, refers to the critical and long-term changes in the Earth's climate, primarily due to human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions. The video discusses the speaker's work at the frontlines of this crisis, emphasizing the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to protect ecosystems and landscapes.

💡Resilience

Resilience, in the context of the video, refers to the ability of agroforests and farming systems to withstand and recover from disturbances, such as super typhoons. The speaker's work focuses on building resilience in agroforests to better respond to the impacts of climate change, which is a key theme in the narrative of sustainable land management and climate adaptation.

💡Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that aims to use natural resources in a way that does not deplete them or harm the environment, while still producing sufficient food. The video highlights the integration of practical, traditional knowledge techniques with modern science to achieve sustainable agriculture. It is exemplified by the Cacao Project and the speaker's efforts to make chocolates for restoration.

💡Ecosystem Stewardship

Ecosystem stewardship involves the responsible management and protection of ecosystems to maintain their health and productivity. The speaker discusses the importance of understanding and applying both traditional and modern methods to steward ecosystems and landscapes effectively. This concept is central to the video's message about creating a sustainable relationship with the environment.

💡Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, often in plants, soil, and other biological systems, to mitigate climate change. The speaker mentions the concept of putting more carbon back in the soil than is taken from it, which is a key strategy in sustainable agriculture and a way to enhance the land's ability to sequester carbon.

💡Lunar Planting

Lunar planting is an ancient agricultural practice that involves timing planting and harvesting activities according to the phases of the moon. The speaker's grandmother's advice on lunar planting is initially met with skepticism but later validated through the speaker's experiences and scientific understanding of the relationship between lunar cycles and pollination.

💡Community Wisdom

Community wisdom refers to the collective knowledge and insights that are shared and developed within a community, often through stories and traditions. The video emphasizes the value of this wisdom, suggesting that it may hold the key to innovative solutions for climate change. The speaker's recounting of her family's advice and the subsequent validation of their practices illustrate the importance of community wisdom in addressing environmental challenges.

Highlights

The speaker's childhood experiences with her family's unconventional farming methods.

The grandfather's advice to plant rocks underneath sweet potatoes for better crops.

The grandmother's belief in planting according to lunar cycles for better fruit harvests.

The father's suggestion to whistle a certain tone to sift rice or cocoa nibs.

The realization that these traditional practices might have a scientific basis.

Establishing the Cacao Project to build resilient agroforests in response to climate change.

Combining practical, traditional knowledge with modern science for effective climate change solutions.

The discovery that lunar cycles affect insect activity, beneficial for pollination and fruit production.

Planting rocks under root crops improves drainage and creates an ecosystem for natural fertilizers.

The anecdotal success of whistling for wind to aid in sifting, despite a lack of scientific explanation.

The importance of invisible pieces of traditional knowledge in creating ecosystem resilience.

The potential for traditional wisdom to be key in addressing climate change.

The responsibility of the younger generation to carry forward traditional knowledge.

The possibility that the solutions to the climate crisis may be found in the wisdom of our communities and families.

The opportunity to build resilience in our ecosystems by harnessing the power of traditional knowledge.

The honor and excitement of being a young person involved in environmental work, with access to ancient wisdom.

The potential for 'magic' and secret knowledge to contribute to significant global environmental solutions.

The speaker's gratitude and sense of purpose in transferring traditional knowledge into modern applications.

Transcripts

When I was a little girl, my parents would take me outside

and show me all the incredible ways

that they would take care of our land to produce good food.

And I would begrudgingly follow them out

and listen to the stories that they had to say.

And their pieces of advice would range from totally rational and practical

to absolutely bizarre.

For example, my grandfather would say,

"Hey Louise, if you want to plant good root crops this season,

what you should do is plant some rocks underneath your sweet potatoes."

And I would look at him and be like,

“OK, Grandpa, sure. I totally believe you.”

And my grandmother would say,

"OK, to have the best harvest of fruits from the fruit-bearing trees this season,

you want to be able to plant according to lunar cycles.

You want to plan towards the full moon and never towards a new moon."

And I would look at her and say, "What?"

And my dad, most bizarrely of all,

would say, "If you want to sift rice or cocoa nibs to get rid of all the dust,

the best thing that you can do is to whistle a certain tone

to harness the wind."

And I'd be like, "Dad, like airbending?"

(Laughter)

"OK, sure."

So as I grew up, I would ask them,

"Why? Why do we do all these weird, strange things," right?

And my relatives and my family would come up to me and be like,

"Louise, here's the thing.

Your grandparents are kind of crazy. So this is just traditions.

You don't have to think about it. It's fine."

But my work has put me at the frontlines of the climate crisis,

working with communities and farmers to build resilient agroforests

that really react best

to the intense super typhoons that we experience.

I established an initiative called the Cacao Project,

which works to build these resilient agroforests

and work closely with farmers

to understand how we could best steward our ecosystems and landscapes.

And over the years, I've been able to really do my best dream job,

which is make chocolates for restoration.

And I have the best job, I know.

I get to eat chocolates, talk to farmers,

live on the land and have such a good life.

And we look at the ways

that we can marry practical, traditional knowledge techniques

with modern science and know-how,

so that we could really put a spotlight

on those simple, practical solutions that react effectively to climate change.

Now over the years I’ve trained with farmers,

and we make sure that learning is a two-way street

where we listen to the stories that they have to say,

but also be able to teach them regeneration.

So very simple concepts,

like putting more carbon back in the soil than we take from it,

or maybe planting the crops that are suited to our ecosystems

and our landscapes.

And even propagating the life

that strengthens our forests and our trees.

And as I was talking to these farmers,

these crazy stories started resurfacing,

and I said, "OK, hang on, hang on. Maybe they're on to something here."

So together with our farmers, we started kind of trying it out.

OK, let's plant some rocks here and see what happens.

OK, let's plant according to the lunar cycles.

And for some reason, every single time that we would do that,

it would work.

When we plant rocks under sweet potatoes,

they were better, sweeter, just more delicious.

Every time we planted according to lunar cycles,

we'd have delicious harvests.

And I thought, maybe, what if all of these weird stories

are just kind of decades of peer review

that has passed down from grandmother to grandson,

from father to daughter,

in the ways that they best knew how?

And maybe Grandma wasn't so crazy after all.

So I quickly learned that lunar cycles

were actually tied to insect flight activity and reproduction

that made better pollinators, so more fruits.

It was tied to irrigation and water patterns.

And I thought, wow, that is so cool.

So my grandmother had a point. I digress.

It turns out planting rocks under root crops,

it meant that you were just actually making better drainage,

but also it was creating this inviting ecosystem

for worms and little creatures to live under.

And they were just natural fertilizers.

So, awesome, Granddad was right.

And whistling for wind,

well ...

I wish I could give you a scientific explanation.

I have no idea how that works, but every time I ask my dad,

“Can you bring me out to a field and whistle?”

a light breeze would always seem to blow.

And it was magic. I was like, what is this sorcery?

So what if all of these invisible pieces of knowledge

are actually keys to how we can best curate

our stewardship to our landscapes,

how we could best create resilience in our ecosystems and forests

to react better to climate change.

And all of this knowledge exists

in countries and communities, and traditions and stories

within our families.

And as a young person who works in the environmental field,

I think it is so cool to have that kind of responsibility

to carry this knowledge on to the next generation,

to transfer this information over into our modern age

and be able to articulate why they work.

Because maybe the solutions to our climate crisis,

maybe the next big fix-all,

isn't just this one big, amazing, sparkling solution.

Maybe it exists in the soils under our feet.

Maybe it’s in the wind that blows in the air

or the sunlight that beats down on us.

Or maybe it exists in the crazy, wild stories of our grandmothers.

And it is such an honor to think that maybe these amazing solutions

are actually an opportunity for us to build something

that embodies the wisdom of our communities, of our families

and of our landscapes over years and generations.

And as a young person carrying that on,

I think, wow, we have some exciting magic in our planet to offer,

and hopefully we can harness that power

and all this sorcery and secret bits of knowledge

to do something really great with it in different parts of the world

that curate our stewardship to our planet.

With that, thank you.

(Applause)