We’re hearing all kinds of doom and gloom about planetary crises. The weather, climate on a local scale, ocean temperatures, drought, and flooding are all signs of disharmony on Earth.
In the midst of calamity, there are creative solutions to address these climate issues. Let’s look at some of this tremendously good news.
First: Water – Bottles
The vast majority of the world has clean drinking water. We still have large areas worldwide where this isn’t true but several NGOs are working to solve those water problems.
Here, let’s talk about water and single-use plastic. Statistically, in Europe, 99% of the population had access to safe drinking water in 2022. Yet, a large portion of the population still prefers to drink bottled water. From 58% in France to over 75% in Italy. And in the US over 60% of people prefer bottled water.
In initial data from 2024, 60% of US adults said they had a reusable water bottle. That’s about 155 million people. Chart: How Popular Is Bottled Water Around the World? | Statista
The big question on my mind is, of that 60% who have a reusable water bottle, how many actually use it? How often does it get left at home, on the counter, on the desk, or somewhere under a car seat? Just because you have something doesn’t mean it gets used.
Reusable water bottles are becoming normalized. You can take them on planes, fill them up at water fountains, and sometimes ask for water to go from a restaurant (not quite the same since Covid). In fact, in some circles, the use of single-use water bottle use is looked upon as extremely undesirable. We’re seeing water container judgment and guilting, not a good incentive for seamless change.
Ethics and opinions are everywhere now that climate extremes are beginning to impact everyone.
The Ethics of Regen Ag – Vegan. Vegetarian. Omnivore.
There is so much misinformation surrounding regenerative agriculture. I don’t blame an urban vegan who’s never seen a ranch to think all animal husbandry is inhumane CAFOs (confined animal feedlot operations). That’s the dominant message. But it’s not the only message.
For most pasture-finished livestock, there is only one bad day. Even if you’re not a meat eater you have to admit the humane treatment of livestock is second nature to most ranchers and farmers. It’s not good for the quality or the quantity of finished meat to stress their animals.
The nutrient density is much higher in pasture-finished livestock than in CAFO meat. For example, beef studies have shown higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), vitamin E, and vitamin B in pasture-finished livestock.
Pasture finished means the livestock spend their entire lives on pasture. They eat grass and other forages and are allowed to roam and graze. And that goes for all livestock, we’re not just talking beef here. Chickens devour huge quantities of insects.
Non-meat eaters will still have ethical problems with raising animals for the express purpose of harvesting them. But isn’t that the same thing we do with plants?
There is a growing body of evidence for sentience in plants. The new field of plant neurobiology looks at the relationship of plant electrical and chemical signaling to biological bases for plant sentience. Plant neurobiology: an integrated view of plant signaling – ScienceDirect
Ethicists look at this science and raise the question: If consciousness boils down to some form of biological adaptation, then plants have evolved their phenomenal experience of the world – and consciousness is possible.
I know this puts me out there in WooWoo land. But humans carry an incredible amount of hubris to think we know everything. Every day we learn something new. Why categorically dismiss plant consciousness?
Unless it makes you feel better about your salad?
Feeding the Soil So the Soil Will Feed You
Talking about salad greens and other vegetative crops leads to discussions of proper soil management. It’s not enough to sustain our soils, we need to regenerate them.
Today the vast majority of farmland is planted with corn, soybeans, cotton, beets, and a few other crops. The food we eat is produced primarily in other countries. Our farmers aren’t feeding the world, they’re feeding gas-guzzling SUVs.
Farmers don’t set out to destroy their land, but that’s what’s happening. It’s because farmers are stuck in a spot where they don’t make enough money each year to prosper but they do make just enough to have hope for the following season. But it’s hard to feed your family with hope.
Slowly farmers are trying new ways of farming. Simply because the old ways aren’t working anymore. The profit margins keep getting thinner. It’s like this Tennessee Ernie Ford song “16 Tons.” Watch and listen to it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLVtJkpl_ug&t=111s
There’s a new generation of consumers asking how their food is grown. Who want to know their farmers and want to know if they’re eating “clean” food. We’re on the cusp of a sea change in consumer buying behaviors.
The healthcare industry is aware of the connections between nutrition, chronic disease, the gut/soil microbiome connection, and longevity. A whole generation of tech-savvy and environmentally aware consumers are calling the shots.
It’s a brave new world we’re living in. It’s an exciting time to just watch how incredibly fast change is happening. Hold onto your seat, the ride is going to get bumpy!
Need help navigating this new business world? Contact me here.
Understandably, vegans and vegetarians think all livestock are treated poorly. AI makes a composite of what’s the dominant imaging. We need to change the messaging so AI knows the real story.
