Agroforestry isn’t a new phenomenon; Indigenous peoples have been practising it for thousands of years, but it’s now gaining popularity across the globe. What is agroforestry? Agroforestry is a land management approach in which trees are grown on the same area of land as crops or pasture. There are many types of agroforestry, but the two most common approaches are: 1. Silvopastoral…
What’s going on here? Wine grapes are a sensitive crop. Shifting weather patterns due to climate change will mean that we see huge differences in where our wine comes from. What does this mean? The ‘wine map’ is expanding. Wine usually grows 30 – 50 degrees North and South of the equator. Now, wine is being produced in Norway, as far North…
What’s going on here? A project in Spain is restoring ancient water channels which have been around as far back as the mediaeval times. These channels are important for dealing with drought and the increasing demand for water from intensive farming. What does this mean? Acequias are networks of irrigation streams. They distribute water from snow melt in the Sierra Nevada mountains…
What’s Going On Here? After an application from the National Farmers Union (NFU) and British Sugar, last week Defra authorised the ‘emergency’ use of a neonicotinoid pesticide treatment on sugar beet crops planted in England in the 2022 season. In 2018, the EU banned all outdoor uses of neonicotinoids due to evidence that they cause harm to bees. What Does This Mean? …
What’s going on here? Under the EU, BUnder the EU, British farmers received grants through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Following Brexit, the government has promised to introduce the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), consisting of: The Sustainable Farming Incentive, Landscape Recovery and Local Nature Recovery schemes. ELMs promises the restoration of 300,000 hectares of land 2042 by paying farmers and landowners…
Microfinance – how it can protect the most vulnerable against the effects of climate change and incentivise sustainable business practices.
Now more than ever, especially with the publishing of the IPCC report last week, we need to reduce our carbon emissions to avert the worst impacts from climate change. This will not be easy. And we will need to think hard about how we can positively impact all areas of the natural world. Beneath our feet is one of the most exploited,…
This article has caused some debate amoungst the Curious.Earth community and it is not represesentive of everyones views. We do however understand we need to hear everyones voice if we are to make the best decisions for our future. Got beef with the article or Loining for more? Email us hello@curious.earth Curious.Earth Team Plant-based diets are on trend, and not only with…
What’s Going On Here? The conservation of small-scale farming and the transition away from extensive industrial farming methods is key for a sustainable future. This twofold strategy is fundamental for the health of the planet, as highlighted this week by Prince Charles. What Does This Mean? Since the 1990s small, family run farms in the UK have been in decline, priced out…
