ver the last 40 years many agricultural research organisations have made studies of organic and bio-dynamic agriculture that show the potential of these farming methods to be a major part of the solution to global climate change.

Again and again these studies have shown that over long periods of time and under many different conditions, organic and bio-dynamic farming practices continually sequester large amounts of measurable carbon into the soil. They also show that conventional chemical based agriculture degrades the land and thus reduces soil carbon over the long term.

Most of this scientific research was done before global warming was ever an issue. It was done primarily to increase our knowledge of these farming methods and their sustainability.

Under the name of bio-agriculture (an inclusive term for organic and bio-dynamic farming methods) Erwin Berney has made it his work to bring together this research and do an in-depth study of its implications to climate change. Dr Jonathan Banks and Hamish Mackay have collaborated in this.

The results are extremely encouraging.

By using bio-agricultural farming methods the world could not only meet its emissions reduction targets, but can also seriously think about becoming carbon neutral. In addition to this the study reveals many other benefits of these farming methods. From extra income for farmers – paid carbon credits for sequestering CO2, to reversing land degradation and thus helping to ensure food security for the rapidly growing world population. Compared to other emission reduction solutions bio-agiculture is low cost and easy to implement.