Jonathan Hawken

Oh for peat’s sake: On its surface, peat may not evoke immediate fascination or excitement. It consists of fertile soil predominantly composed of deceased plant matter, gradually accumulating and securely storing carbon, nutrients, and water. Yet peatlands exhibit remarkable biodiversity, hosting various organisms such as insects, amphibians, migratory birds, mammals, reptiles, as well as diverse flora, depending on their specific geographic location. Despite occupying a mere three percent of the Earth's surface, they are estimated to contain twice as much carbon as the world's entire forests combined.

In Finland, Tero Mustonen has dedicated himself to reinstating peatlands to their former magnificence, employing traditional knowledge obtained from local indigenous and rural communities, with minimal reliance on heavy machinery. The sites have a noteworthy resurgence of wildlife, with the number of bird species jumping from just three to 210– including the unique Terek sandpiper.  Mustonen shares his enlightening insights in a concise interview with Yale Environment 360 which I highly recommend.

 Benjamin Felser

Decentralized solar in Argentina: The surge of small-scale solar initiatives in Argentina is the subject of an article in Diálogo Chino exploring successful models. A consortium of urban schools and an agricultural community in the countryside are among the cooperative projects currently providing energy to 17% of Argentina's population. Armstrong, population 15,000, established a local solar co-op that sells surplus energy to the grid which garnered community and government support. In Buenos Aires, eight schools have transitioned to solar power, contributing energy to the grid during summer months and utilizing it for their own needs during the school year. The leaders of both projects emphasize that the impact extends beyond mere energy independence and financial gains. The demonstration of change has empowered community members and students, fostering connections between renewable energy and other urgent environmental concerns. 

 Rachel Martin

Brazilian tree frog shakes up the pollinator world: A nectar-loving tree frog is changing the way scientists think about pollinators (typically associated with insects and birds) by raising the question of whether amphibians can also spread pollen from flower to flower. The frog, known as Xenohyla truncata or Izecksohn’s Brazilian tree frog, has been observed pollinating plants, potentially becoming the first scientifically-recognized amphibian pollinator. The nectar of the milk fruit tree attracts the frog, who wiggles into the flower and ends up with pollen stuck to its back. This interaction repeats, creating the opportunity for cross-pollination, an essential function for plant reproduction, healthy ecosystems, and even slowing climate change. Future research is required and could involve long-term studies involving camera traps for monitoring the frogs, or assessing the reproductive success of the milk fruit tree without their assistance. It may not be long before frogs join the list of overlooked pollinators including bats, lizards, opossums, and even cockroaches. Here are ways to take actions that support pollinators from Project Regeneration’s Nexus database.

 Robert Denney

Insects are a Climate-Friendly Option for Animal Feed: Using insects for food has been discussed as a potential climate change solution for numerous reasons. Notably, raising insects requires minimal land, they can be fed on food waste, and their entire bodies are edible. But while consuming insects may be a nonstarter for some people, it appears to be less eyebrow-raising to use insects as animal feed for livestock and for pets. a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adc9165" style="mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #d71624;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Insects are being explored as a high-protein alternative to conventional feedstocks. The use of insects in animal feed has gained attention as a means to address sustainability concerns. It has been estimated that around 1.2 trillion edible insects are raised on farms annually, providing ranchers with an opportunity to reduce their reliance on carbon-intensive crops such as soybeans.

 Tim Treuer

Filling the blue-collar hole in the green agenda: The New Yorker recently released a digital issue on climate solutions. While I’ll hold my tongue on the piece about spraying glass beads all over the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska, I really enjoyed this story on the need to train more electricians in order to build a renewables-based economy. There are more than half a million unfilled trades jobs in the American construction sector, and a quarter of that workforce is older than 55.  The article delves into a successful network of trade schools in Connecticut, which serves as a potential model for other states seeking to meet the demand for electricians. What particularly struck me about the piece is its indication of a changing narrative around the need for a costly college education versus vocational training for blue-collar work. I mean, this is a periodical whose (unofficial) mascot is a dandy in a top hat looking down his nose through a monocle– yet the piece does a superb job of celebrating the people doing the gritty and humble labor that is the foundation for the green revolution.

 Courtney White

Agroforestry Renaissance: As this Civil Eats article explains, there are exciting new developments in the field of agroforestry. For starters, a survey conducted by U.S. Midwest-based Pasa Sustainable Agriculture revealed that agroforestry and silvopasture – both of which have been practiced by Indigenous and traditional communities for centuries – were the top practices on the minds of modern farmers. Pasa was granted $50 million from the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to expand agroforestry initiatives along the Eastern seaboard.  In addition, The Nature Conservancy launched a five-year program aimed at encouraging private investment in agroforestry projects, and in Congress the Agriculture Resilience Act proposes a strategy to address climate change through improved soil health. Agroforestry's potential role in shaping U.S. agricultural policy is expected to be reflected in the upcoming Farm Bill.  You can go here to sign a petition to support regenerative practices in this year’s Farm Bill and read more about taking action from our partners at Regenerate America.

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