When we pledged under the 2015 Paris Agreement to help maintain the average rise of global temperatures below 2C, leaders knew that not only did we need to stop increasing our greenhouse emissions but also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But how? Turns out the answer lies underfoot. Farming and land management is the second largest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions on earth. In December 2015, Michael Pollan from the Washington Post named carbon farming agriculture’s “secret weapon.” But why is it just now that it is making headlines on Australian shores? The ABC reports that “across Australia, carbon farming has reduced about 60 million tonnes of carbon emissions, which is close to 10 per cent of the country's total emissions.” With over 700 farms nationwide, executive manager for Climate Friendly, Josh Harris told the ABC "in terms of financial value there's been about $500 million in carbon contracts signed and so far there's been close to $100 million in carbon income that has come into the region.Simply put, carbon farming is farming in a way that helps reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions and excess carbon from entering the atmosphere, instead it holds carbon in the ground where it aids the growth of vegetation and plants. It aims to reduce the number of carbon emissions in its production processes as well as increase the production of carbon in our backyard.Using conscious farming methods to help manage land, water, plants and animals to meet the Triple Challenge of Landscape Restoration was first bought in by the Abbott government and has since taken a backseat. This style of farming is nothing new, it actually encourages farmers to regenerate their land through traditional farming practices. Carbon farming methods include:
Carbon Farming is slightly different to farming for carbon credits. According to Green Collar, there are currently around 730 different carbon projects in Australia and this number is rising. Organisations like Carbon Farming Australia manage carbon credits and education for Australian Farmers Lottie Dalziel is the founder of Banish an education platform and plastic free online store.