Allan Savory - TED Desertificação (Legendado - PT BR)

Summary

In this powerful talk, the speaker addresses the growing global challenges of desertification, climate change, and the overuse of fossil fuels. He highlights how traditional livestock grazing practices contribute to soil degradation, yet introduces an innovative solution through holistic management. By mimicking natural herding and grazing patterns, using livestock as a tool to restore soil health, the speaker demonstrates how this approach can reverse desertification, store carbon, and improve ecosystems globally. The solution offers hope for combating environmental collapse, showing how working with nature can sustain both people and the planet for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world is facing a 'perfect storm' of issues: a rising population, desertification, and climate change.
• 😀 Technology alone cannot solve climate change; it requires addressing the root causes, including desertification.
• 😀 Desertification occurs when land becomes barren due to overgrazing, causing carbon emissions and soil degradation.
• 😀 Soil organic matter plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of water and carbon, influencing climate.
• 😀 While deserts are obvious examples of land degradation, even grasslands are highly vulnerable to desertification when the soil is left uncovered.
• 😀 Overgrazing by livestock is a major contributor to desertification, but this understanding is often oversimplified.
• 😀 The idea that livestock should be eliminated to stop desertification is flawed. Livestock, when managed properly, can help restore degraded land.
• 😀 The loss of large grazing herds and natural predators has contributed to land degradation over time, creating deserts.
• 😀 The solution to desertification is mimicking nature by using livestock to manage land and prevent overgrazing, which also restores soil health.
• 😀 Using 'planned grazing' through holistic management can reverse land degradation, as demonstrated in areas across Africa, the U.S., and other parts of the world.

Q & A

What are the primary factors contributing to desertification, as mentioned in the script?

The main factors contributing to desertification are rising global population, land turning into desert (desertification), and climate change. Other contributors include overgrazing by livestock, soil damage, and poor land management practices.

How does desertification impact water retention and carbon in the soil?

Desertification leads to a lack of vegetation cover, causing water to evaporate from the soil quickly. When soils are damaged, carbon is released back into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate change.

Why does the speaker emphasize using livestock to address desertification?

The speaker argues that using livestock to mimic the natural movement of herds and predators is the only viable option left to prevent desertification and climate change. This method helps regenerate the land, preserve soil health, and store carbon.

What is the significance of the seasonal humidity and grazing animals in preventing desertification?

In environments with seasonal humidity, grazing animals and predators used to maintain large herds helped prevent overgrazing. Their movement and trampling ensured healthy soil cover, which reduced desertification.

How does the land in national parks in Africa demonstrate the complexity of desertification?

In the 1950s, when hunting was removed and animals were protected in national parks, desertification worsened due to overpopulation of certain species like elephants. The land deteriorated, illustrating the need for proper land management beyond simply removing livestock.

What role do fire and burning play in desertification, according to the speaker?

While fire is traditionally used to clear dead material and promote new plant growth, it also leaves the soil bare and causes carbon release. Furthermore, burning vast areas of land produces harmful pollutants, worsening desertification and climate change.

What are the challenges of managing land using livestock, and how does holistic management help?

Managing land with livestock involves the risk of overgrazing and environmental damage. Holistic management and planned grazing help mimic natural processes, managing animal movements to promote soil regeneration, prevent overgrazing, and encourage biodiversity.

What is the impact of livestock in increasing crop yield, as shown in the Zimbabwe example?

In Zimbabwe, when livestock were used to mimic natural grazing, crop yields improved significantly. This approach integrated grazing animals with crops, which led to healthier soil, improved water retention, and more productive agricultural land.

How can Holistic Management and planned grazing reverse desertification globally?

Holistic Management and planned grazing can reverse desertification by using livestock in a way that mimics nature, restores vegetation cover, improves soil health, increases carbon sequestration, and boosts productivity on degraded land.

What are the global implications of desertification for food security, poverty, and conflict?

Desertification worsens food insecurity, poverty, and violence. It contributes to social breakdown and war, particularly in regions dependent on livestock for sustenance. Addressing desertification is crucial for improving global stability and ensuring the survival of vulnerable communities.