What is regenerative agriculture and how could it help stabilise the climate? What’s the link between farming and biodiversity loss? These were some of the questions we hoped to answer at our latest Our Planet Our Future event, a screening of Common Ground, the highly anticipated follow-up to Kiss the Ground.
While Kiss The Ground argued that moving to a system of regenerative agriculture could help us restore soil, sequester carbon and reshape our food systems, Common Ground focuses on the farm system itself, revealing its unjust practices. It profiles a hopeful movement of white, Black, and Indigenous farmers who are using regenerative models of agriculture and argues that it could help us balance the climate, save our health, and stabilise the economy – before it’s too late.
As always, the evening sparked lively debate and some fantastic ideas for action.
Drawing down all human-generated CO₂ – fact or fiction?
Regenerative agriculture, also known as ‘Regen Ag’, is a term used to describe a collection of farming methods aimed at restoring and improving the health and fertility of the soil. In doing so, it increases biodiversity, enhances ecosystems, ensures livestock welfare and strengthens communities.
One of the film’s most surprising claims was that switching to regenerative agriculture could draw down all human-generated CO₂ emissions. Understandably, this raised eyebrows in the room. Is this really the case, or just wishful thinking?
After the session, we took a deeper look at the research and discovered that although regenerative agriculture does sequester carbon, improve soil health, increase biodiversity and improve water retention, it’s unlikely to cancel out all global emissions – unless they vastly decrease.
Global COâ‚‚ emissions currently sit around 39 gigatons per year. There are varying estimates of how much COâ‚‚ regenerative agriculture could sequester each year. Some research suggests 0.2 gigatons, while the Boston Consulting Group believes it has the potential to capture 5 gigatons per year – much less than we’re currently generating. Added to this, soil carbon saturation means there’s a natural limit to how much carbon can be stored, and competing land uses means we only have finite arable land.
Surprising scenes and glaring omissions
For many of us, the film’s most shocking moment was a sequence showing 18 inches of newly sown topsoil blown away in just five days of severe winds. It was a stark reminder of how fragile our farming systems have become.
We also discussed how the film fails to acknowledge that the land area for agriculture should be reduced to increase biodiversity and the impact of methane from grazing animals. It also did not mention of the number of cattle needed for the regenerative agriculture model.
How you can make a difference
Our discussion also focused on the actions we can take to make a difference ourselves in own homes and communities. Here are some ideas we shared:
- Buy local, organic and regeneratively-grown food
- Grow your own veggies and share your surplus with your neighbours and friends
- Read Regenesis by George Monbiot – a previous book club pick
- Protect the soil in your gardens and growing spaces by keeping it covered with plants or cover crops. Kiss The Ground published a helpful guide.
- Look for child-friendly growing activities. Not all schools have growing projects, and are often dependent on enthusiastic parents.
The film website also has some great suggestions.
Reading our food labels
Attendees were keen to understand how to identify regenerative produce when out shopping. This isn’t always easy, but there are some helpful schemes, such as the LEAF Marque symbol. This symbol recognises farmers taking steps to protect biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce their environmental impact.
Several UK supermarkets already use LEAF Marque-certified produce, including Tesco, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.It’s unclear whether Sainsbury’s sells LEAF Marque-certified fruit and veg. If you’d like to see a LEAF-certified farm in action, you can visit Annable’s Farm at Thrale’s End. This Demonstration Farm shares its learnings to encourage more farmers to take up regenerative agriculture.
Our next event
At our next event, we’ll head to Harpenden Common with Alex Melson, Green Space Development Manager at Harpenden Town Council to learn about the history of the common, the management of its grasslands, woods and ponds and its development plans. Book your free spot here.
About Our Planet Our Future
Our Planet Our Future is Sustainable St Alban’s landmark series of talks and events to help you live a more sustainable life.
Resources
Regenerative Farmers of the UK – discover events, resources and farmer stories
- https://regenerativefarmersofuk.com/
- https://regenerativefarmersofuk.com/resources/
- https://regenerativefarmersofuk.com/events/
The LEAF Marque
- https://leaf.eco/farming/leaf-network
- https://farmsunday.org/visit-a-farm/the-leaf-marque
- The LEAF Marque is holding an Open Farm Sunday on the 8th of June: https://farmsunday.org/news/diary-date-8th-june-discover-the-roots-of-your-food-this-open-farm-sunday
- https://leaf.eco/education/leaf-education
Soil health
- Read about how Soil Squad CIC is transforming leftover food waste into rich compost to support regenerative growing.