| March 2024: "C" Change is Here! |
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March 2024: C Change is Here!
Welcome back to C Change!
This month, we will be exploring strategies to sustain our livelihoods and environments, and analyzing the actors fighting to keep our world green. Learn how the UN aims to restore biodiversity with the Bern III conference and how the Rainforest Action Network is working to preserve Earth’s most diverse ecosystems through advocacy. Additionally, discover how native landscaping, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture interact to accommodate humanity’s growing needs; we will need to continue innovating to reduce our environmental impact and conserve our natural resources.
Here are this month’s topics:
1. The sixth goal of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, urging the need for water conservation to become an essential part of one's daily life. Sustainable lifestyle choices may sometimes seem like a challenge, but conserving water has direct financial and resourceful benefits that can easily be incorporated into your everyday routine. This article will highlight different ways to reduce your water footprint through sustainable consumption choices in your indoor and outdoor usage.
2. January 23-25 saw the yearly meeting of the Bern III conference. With renewed vigor and dedication, global leaders in the fight against the current decline in biodiversity rediscussed the importance of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the urgency of meeting the criteria before it's too late.
3. Step into the heart of Earth's rainforests with us as we shine a spotlight on Rainforest Action Network (RAN), a formidable force dedicated to preserving biodiversity and combating destructive practices. Explore their impactful campaigns, celebrate their tireless efforts, and join us in the fight to safeguard our planet's green lungs for generations to come.
4. As the human population rapidly increases, approaching 9 billion people by 2050, methods of sustainable agriculture will become more essential than ever before. To feed two billion more people, we must make efforts to increase agricultural productivity and efficiency while also decreasing our environmental impact.
5. Fighting invasive plant species doesn’t need to require dedicated scientists; you can help out in your own backyard! With native landscaping, you make your natural environment more resistant by planting native species that confer general environmental benefits. These effects are plentiful, and help offset the damage created by invasive plant species.
Thank you for joining us for this month’s C Change newsletter! It’s great to have readers like you express concern for our planet while learning something new about taking action to conserve our world and the actors already doing so. It’s important to stay informed about conservation and sustainability, keeping track of everyone’s progress and inspiring further action!
Sustainably,
Eric Magers
Executive Director
Autumn Marsh
Climate Action Fellow
Soham Arekar
Climate Action Fellow
Jacob Greenlee
Newsletter Department Manager
Sources Cited:
Environment, U. (n.d.). Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/resources/kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity-framework Fighting for people and planet. Rainforest Action Network. (2020, January 9). https://www.ran.org/ Water and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | 2015 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference. Water and Sustainable Development: From Vision to Action. 15-17 January 2015. (n.d.). <a="" href="http://Www.un.org" data-link-id="1290839609">http:="" www.un.org<="" a="">. </a=""> Foley, J. (2014). Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic. Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/feeding-9-billion/
Wade, G., Nash, E., Beckham, B., Crisafulli, S., & McDowell, E. (2009, September 1). Native plants for Georgia part I: Trees, shrubs and Woody Vines. University of Georgia Extension. https://extension.uga.edu/publ...;
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| MARCH HIGHLIGHTS |
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| What We Read (and Learned!) This Month |
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| Conserving Water Indoors and Outdoors |
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| Meghan Oh |
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Water conservation in its essence is the practice of avoiding unnecessary or wasteful water usage. Fresh water is a finite resource, and access to fresh and clean water is one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Fresh and clean water is a human right to both hygiene and health, though increasing water needs due to population growth, agriculture, energy, and drought threaten this human right. Water scarcity is expected to increase, however improving water-use efficiency can reduce the stress on our water resources. There are a variety of ways to conserve water both indoors and outdoors, and this article will highlight the main approaches to incorporating water conservation into your daily life. Some of these examples include water-efficient irrigation, efficient toilets, and greywater reuse!
Water-efficient irrigation
Irrigation makes up 30% of water usage in American households, and 60% in arid condition. Implementing water-efficient irrigation tools, such as WaterSense devices, within your landscape and home can reduce 20% of water usage. Weather based irrigation controllers reduce the amount of water used by timing waterings according to weather conditions. By tailoring the watering schedules, homeowners and landowners can achieve efficient irrigation. Installing, or upgrading existing sprinkler systems to micro-sprinklers or in-line drip can additionally reduce water waste by preventing overspray. In-line drip aligns the watering holes and focuses them onto the plants themselves to ensure they are water properly, while preventing overspray. Micro-sprinklers greatly reduce overspraying areas that do not need to be watered (dirt, mulch, hardscapes).
Removing your lawn/pool
A considerable amount of water usage in US households is due to large landscapes. Lawn size was found to be a great predictor of annual water use in a study in Boston, MA. Reducing your lawn can greatly reduce water usage by converting your landscape to low-water usage lawns. This can be demonstrated in rock gardens, mulched landscapes with drought-tolerant plants, native plants, and other living ground cover plants that emulate lawn. Converting pools to a drought-tolerant landscape can additionally greatly reduce water usage.
Rainwater capture techniques
Rain can be collected and reused for irrigation through different capture techniques such as rain barrels, cisterns, and rain gardens! Rain barrels and cisterns are connected from downspouts along the house that collect rainwater from the roof that can be reused when connected to a hose. Rain gardens prevent water runoff and allow water into the ground by creating a depressed area in the landscape to soak up water from roof downspouts. They can also filter pollutants and act as shelter for local fauna.
Reusing your greywater
Greywater is defined as the used water from faucets in sinks, showers, washing machines, and tubs. Instead of wasting this water and pouring it into the drain, you can reuse it for irrigation in your yard. Collecting the water from your shower that is normally wasted when heating up, you can use it to flush your toilets manually by keeping it in a bucket and pouring it into the toilet when needed. By reusing greywater and not flushing it down the drain, you can prevent greywater from entering the sewage system and keep it within your water system outdoors, letting it return to the earth.
Changing consumption/behavior patterns
Water conservation is not exclusive to installing new technology, but also changing your habits in your day to day life. Reducing red-meat consumption can greatly reduce your water-usage footprint. It takes about 2000 gallons of water to raise beef in comparison to chicken that takes up 520 gallons in water usage. Using your dishwasher instead of handwashing dishes can save up to 5,000 gallons of water per year. Checking for leaks in your toilet and faucets can reduce water usage and frustration.
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Sources:
1. Runfola, D. M., Polsky, C., Nicolson, C., Giner, N. M., Pontius, R. G., Krahe, J., & Decatur, A. (2013). A growing concern? Examining the influence of lawn size on residential water use in suburban Boston, MA, USA. Landscape and Urban Planning, 119, 113–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.land...
2. United Nations. (2022). Water and Sanitation. United Nations Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainable...
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018, November 7). Statistics and Facts. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/watersense...
4. US EPA,REG 01. (2018, December 27). Soak Up the Rain: Rain Gardens | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/soakupther...
5. Water and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | 2015 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference. Water and Sustainable Development: From Vision to Action. 15-17 January 2015. (n.d.). Www.un.org. Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.un.org/waterforlif...
6. Water Conservation - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Www.sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/...
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| Bern III and Biodiversity |
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| Autumn Marsh |
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This year's Bern III conference saw renewed vigor for preserving and protecting the Earth’s threatened biodiversity. The 2024 Bern III conference spanned January 23-25. The conference ensures that the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) is effectively implemented. December 2022 saw the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) with the need to quickly address the decline in biodiversity. The initial 2022 conclusion for the KMGBF was to achieve a 2030 goal of 30% land conservation, a 30% restoration of degraded ecosystems, halving invasive species introduction, and a $500 billion per year reduction in harmful subsidies. These subsidies, as addressed by The World Bank account for trillions of dollars going into things like agriculture and fossil fuels, $1.25 trillion per year to be specific. That’s over one trillion dollars going into subsidizing fossil fuels instead of mitigating the climate crisis.
Compare the aforementioned $1.25 trillion to the $1.5 billion pledged by President Xi Jinping to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund in 2021 with the hopes that it would encourage other stakeholders to contribute to the funding. President Xi Jinping trying to encourage in 2022 and 2023 that there be increased funding to the project. Even if there were stakeholders pledging billions to the fund, 1.25 trillion is 833 times the size of 1.5 billion. It’s hard for organizations concerned about biodiversity to keep up with subsidies that are going against the best interest of the climate without legislation coming into place to support the mitigation efforts.
The Bern III conference is intended to ensure that KMGBF is being implemented. So what does this framework entail? KMGBF has four goals that it’s set to achieve by 2050 and 23 other targets by 2030. The 2030 goals entail a 30% conservation of land, and both marine and inland waters as well as, a 30% restoration of degraded ecosystems. These degraded ecosystems will also be subjected to the conservation effort. KMGBF also wants to see that the introduction of invasive species to ecosystems is halved. This will be crucial to the majority of the four 2050 goals which are dedicated to ecosystem and species health, which include completely halting human-induced and related species extinction. The UNEP’s article on the Nature Crisis highlights just how crucial the reduction of invasive species is for protecting biodiversity. The Nature Crisis report found that humans have introduced thousands of invasive species throughout 49 different countries with those 37,000 invasive species contributing to approximately 60% of extinctions. Another one million species are being threatened actively by these invasive species and their removal and mitigation will be critical for the KMGBF’s goal of conservation and restoration. The Nature Crisis, however, concluded that an even bigger contributor to the loss of biodiversity is humans directly utilizing the land for their benefit, including agriculture. The Nature Crisis claims that in the last 35 years, humans have caused 420 million hectares of forest damage and that agriculture has more than 23,000 species at risk of going extinct.
Bern III is a dedicated conference to see that the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is being implemented effectively. There’s the deliberate intention that the stakeholders and all other parties attending the conference can see to it that those they represent do their best to meet the 2030 and 2050 goals to protect biodiversity and ecology.
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| Rainforest Action Network: The Guardians of Green |
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| Soham Arekar |
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In the vast expanse of Earth's green lungs, where the harmony of biodiversity dances amidst towering canopies, a formidable force stands guard. Rainforest Action Network (RAN), an environmental advocacy organization with a fervent dedication to preserving our planet's rainforests, emerges as the steadfast protector of these invaluable ecosystems. We will delve into the depths of RAN's mission, explore their impactful campaigns, and celebrate their tireless efforts as the guardians of green. Step into the heart of the rainforest, where the symphony of nature's melodies reverberates through lush foliage and vibrant wildlife. Here, amidst the verdant beauty, lies the battleground for environmental preservation, and RAN stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against deforestation, climate change, and corporate exploitation.
Founded in 1985, Rainforest Action Network has dedicated over three decades to defending rainforests, upholding the rights of indigenous communities, and challenging corporate practices that endanger these vital ecosystems. With a grassroots approach rooted in activism and advocacy, RAN harnesses the power of collective action to drive meaningful change on local, national, and global scales. From mobilizing against destructive logging practices to confronting multinational corporations, RAN's campaigns are as bold as they are impactful. Whether it's pressuring financial institutions to divest from rainforest destruction, exposing the environmental and social costs of palm oil production, or advocating for indigenous land rights, RAN tackles complex issues with unwavering resolve.
Yet, the road to rainforest conservation is fraught with challenges. They face formidable adversaries, from powerful corporations driven by profit to governments prioritizing economic interests over environmental sustainability. Despite these obstacles, RAN persists, fueled by a deep-seated commitment to justice and resilience in the face of adversity. In the spirit of solidarity and collective action, RAN forges alliances with indigenous communities, environmental organizations, and concerned citizens worldwide. By amplifying voices, building coalitions, and fostering partnerships, they strengthen their impact and drive systemic change in the fight to protect rainforests and the rights of those who depend on them. Through determined advocacy and strategic campaigning, they have achieved remarkable victories in the battle for rainforest conservation. From securing corporate commitments to zero-deforestation policies to halting destructive projects through grassroots mobilization, RAN's impact reverberates across continents, inspiring hope and catalyzes progress.
As guardians of green, RAN invites individuals to join their movement and become stewards of the environment. Whether through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness, everyone can play a role in safeguarding our planet's rainforests and preserving the biodiversity that sustains life on Earth. In a world teetering on the brink of ecological crisis, Rainforest Action Network stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of collective action and the resilience of the human spirit. RAN's mission transcends borders and boundaries, uniting us in a shared commitment to protect and preserve our planet's most precious ecosystems for generations to come. Join us in the fight for a sustainable future, where forests flourish, communities thrive, and the earth's green heart beats strong.
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Sources:
Picture Source: Rainforest · Pexels. (n.d.). https://www.pexels.com/collections/rainforest-s89v8xx/
Article Sources:
1. Fighting for people and planet. Rainforest Action Network. (2020, January 9). https://www.ran.org/
2. Mission and values. Rainforest Action Network. (2018, August 6). https://www.ran.org/mission-and-values/
3. Support communities. Rainforest Action Network. (2020b, November 10). https://www.ran.org/campaign/support-communities/
4. Coal, tar sands and fracked gas: Fueling climate change. Rainforest Action Network. (2022, May 2). https://www.ran.org/issue/coal-tar-sands-and-fracked-gas/#:~:text=We%20demand%20banks%20defund%20climate,for%20people%20and%20the%20planet.
5. Palm Oil Fact Sheet. Rainforest Action Network. (2018b, August 27). https://www.ran.org/palm_oil_fact_sheet/
6. By, P. (2016, March 12). Ran volunteers working hard for people and planet - the understory. Rainforest Action Network. https://www.ran.org/the-understory/ran_volunteers/
7. Stop deforestation. Rainforest Action Network. (2021, September 27). https://www.ran.org/campaign/stop-deforestation/
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| Sustainable Agriculture for a Booming Population |
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| Laila Salgado |
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As the human population rapidly increases, approaching 9 billion people by 2050, methods of sustainable agriculture will become more essential than ever before. Not only is the human population growing, but as various countries continue to develop, the demand for food and richer diets is growing as well. To feed two billion more people, we must make efforts to increase agricultural productivity and efficiency while also decreasing our environmental impact.
Feeding a Growing Population
The world's population is expanding at an unprecedented rate, placing immense pressure on food production systems. According to projections by the United Nations, feeding the global population will necessitate a 70% increase in food production by 2050. Achieving this target is a formidable challenge, compounded by factors such as diminishing arable land, water scarcity, and the adverse impacts of climate change.
Sustainable agriculture offers a pathway to meeting this challenge by promoting practices that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental degradation. By adopting techniques such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and integrated pest management, farmers can improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. Moreover, sustainable agriculture prioritizes biodiversity conservation, recognizing the intrinsic value of diverse ecosystems in supporting resilient food systems.
Protecting the Earth
Beyond its role in meeting food demand, sustainable agriculture plays a pivotal role in mitigating the environmental impacts of conventional farming practices. Conventional agriculture, characterized by intensive monoculture and heavy reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, exacts a significant toll on the environment. It contributes to soil erosion, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and loss of biodiversity, exacerbating ecological degradation and threatening long-term food security.
In contrast, sustainable agriculture employs practices that promote environmental stewardship and resilience. Conservation tillage, for instance, minimizes soil disturbance, reducing erosion and preserving soil structure. Agroecological approaches leverage natural processes to manage pests and enhance soil fertility, diminishing the need for chemical inputs. By nurturing healthy ecosystems and minimizing ecological harm, sustainable agriculture helps safeguard the planet's natural resources for future generations.
Innovative Approaches
Advancements in technology and agricultural science offer promising avenues for advancing sustainable agriculture. From precision farming and genetic engineering to vertical farming and aquaponics, innovative solutions are reshaping the landscape of food production. These technologies hold the potential to boost yields, enhance resource efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts.
Furthermore, fostering knowledge exchange and capacity-building among farmers is critical to the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Empowering farmers with training, resources, and incentives can facilitate the transition towards more sustainable farming methods. Government policies and international initiatives play a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for sustainable agriculture, providing support for research, investment, and market incentives.
Conclusion
In confronting the dual challenges of feeding a growing population and safeguarding the planet, sustainable agriculture is essential. By prioritizing environmental stewardship, resilience, and equity, sustainable agriculture offers a pathway to a more food-secure and sustainable future. As we look ahead, concerted efforts are needed to promote sustainable agricultural practices, harness technological innovations, and foster collaboration across sectors. By embracing the principles of sustainability, we can nourish humanity while preserving the precious resources of our planet for generations to come.
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Sources:
1. Da Silva, J. G. (2012, June). Feeding the World Sustainably | United Nations. Www.un.org. https://www.un.org/en/chronicl...
2. Foley, J. (2014). Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic. Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic...
3. Ranganathan, J., Waite, R., Searchinger, T., & Hanson, C. (2018). How to Sustainably Feed 10 Billion People by 2050, in 21 Charts. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/h...
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| Native Landscaping in the Southeastern US |
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| Abigail England |
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We’ve all heard of invasive species. When we usually think of the term, we tend to think of animals such as insects, but plants can be equally destructive. When it comes to the south, kudzu is one of the best examples to give when it comes to invasive plants. The vine which was once native to China and Japan has spread mostly through the southeastern United States, brought multiple times due to its beauty and then sold for decoration. While it was thought to have been a good idea due to its help in the reduction of soil erosion, it has caused the opposite effect. The vine has proved to be more detrimental than good, with its growth causing the plants thriving in their native habitat to diminish due to the excessive amount of shade that the vine produces. This is a classic example of how too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.
This requires action, and one way to fight these invasive species is through native landscaping. Native landscaping is the planting of native plants like flowers in our backyards to foster native species of animals while providing general environmental benefits. The USDA has many reasons why you should garden with native flowers in your region, including requiring less fertilization, providing more shelter for wildlife, promoting biodiversity, and requiring less water for gardening. Of course, there is a balance to be attained between introduced and native plant species, and by no means would it be 100% possible for everyone to have a completely native garden. Still, the University of Georgia cites many reasons why we should have more native plants, such as native wildlife being more likely to thrive in environments with native plants, native plants being able to withstand weather extremes that would normally affect introduced plants, and ecological preservation reducing the destruction of natural environments and ecosystems.
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Sources:
1. Loewenstein, N. J., Enloe, S. F., Everest, J. W., Miller, J. H., Ball, D. M., & Patterson, M. G. (2022, March 8). History and use of kudzu in the southeastern United States. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topi...
2. Native Gardening. U.S. Forest Service. (n.d.). https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildfl...
3. Wade, G., Nash, E., Beckham, B., Crisafulli, S., & McDowell, E. (2009, September 1). Native plants for Georgia part I: Trees, shrubs and Woody Vines. University of Georgia Extension. https://extension.uga.edu/publ...;
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