Join Regeneration International in Marrakech for COP22

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The COP22 Climate Summit will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on November 7-18, 2016. The Regeneration International Network has organized a series of events that will focus on the role of soil, agriculture and land-use practices in reversing global warming.

Why regenerative farming and land use?

After spending decades focused solely on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate activists and the UNFCCC now recognize the need to also include large-scale carbon sequestration in the strategy to reverse global warming.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “a large fraction of anthropogenic climate change resulting from CO2 emissions is irreversible on a multi-century-to-millennial time scale, except in the case of a large net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere over a sustained period.” Simply put, even if we cut all human-induced GHG emissions today, the globe would continue to warm for decades, even centuries to come. Recently the scientific community identified soil carbon restoration using regenerative agriculture and land use practices as one of the safest and most effective means of removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Fortunately, millions of farmers around the globe are ready to implement regenerative agriculture and land use practices. We must act now to unleash the power of regenerative farmers to cool the planet and feed the world through soil carbon restoration.

“If rapid phase down of fossil fuel emissions begins soon, most of the necessary CO2 extraction can take place via improved agricultural land forestry practices, including reforestation and steps to improve soil fertility and increase its carbon content,” – James Hansen

Soils are also the largest terrestrial carbon sink on the planet. But soils around the globe have lost 50 to 75 percent of their original carbon content, largely due to the destructive practices of humans. With support from international bodies and conscious consumers, farmers around the globe can put an end to the release of agricultural GHG emissions, and turn their farms into carbon sinks capable of removing enough CO2 from the atmosphere to reverse global warming and repair the damage inflicted in ecosystems and the environment by degenerative food systems.

Regeneration International at COP22

Here are the side events RI has organized for COP22.

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change
Date: November 16, 2016 16:45 – 18:15
Location: Bering Room, COP22 Blue Zone

Can Consumers Drive the Transition to Climate-friendly Regenerative Beef, Poultry & Dairy Production?
Date: November 17, 2016 15h00  – 16h30
Location: Salle 7, Green Zone at COP22

Re-framing Food and Agriculture: From Degeneration to Regeneration
Date: November 18 13h00 – 14h30
Location: Salle 2, Green Zone at COP22

Follow our COP22 page for events as well as news related to agriculture and the 4 per 1000 Initiative.

– The RI Team

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change

Date: November 16, 2016 16:45 – 18:15
Location: Bering Room, COP22 Blue Zone, Side Event area
Remote participation: If you cannot make it to the event, it will be broadcast by the UNFCCC Climate Change Studio Youtube Channel, be sure to tune in!

We will hear from grassroots and Indigenous women leaders addressing climate solutions from a climate justice framework including forest and biodiversity protection, just transition to 100 percent renewable energy, agro-ecology implementation and rights of nature.

Speakers:

  • Thilmeeza Hussain – Voice of Women Maldives, Climate Wise Women
  • Neema Namadamu – SAFECO; Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Amina El Hajjamc – Tamazight Representative of the High Atlas Foundation
  • Blanca Chancosa – Abya Yala Women Messengers, Otavalo, Ecuador
  • Cecilia Flores – Abya Yala Women Messengers, Aymara, Chile
  • Osprey Orielle Lake – Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network
  • Precious Phiri – Earthwisdom; Regeneration International, Zimbabwe

Accreditation to enter COP 22 venue is required to attend.
No registration is necessary but seating is limited.

Can Consumers Drive the Transition to Climate-friendly Regenerative Beef, Poultry & Dairy Production?

Date: November 17, 2016 15h00  – 16h30
Location: Salle 7, Green Zone at COP22

As the global population grows, consumers will need to reduce their consumption of livestock and dairy products if we are to avoid runaway climate change. But we also must move towards regenerative models for producing adequate amounts of meat, eggs and dairy products that provide optimum nutrition, while also producing fewer emissions and less pollutions, while rebuilding healthy soils capable of drawing down excess carbon.

Agenda:

15.00 – 15.15: Are some animals more equal than others? An overview of the global impacts of animal agriculture, Richard Young, Sustainable Food Trust

15.00 – 16.30 : Panel discussion for identifying potential global consumer campaigns aimed at (1) educating consumers about the impact of factory farm products and regenerative alternatives; (2) promoting and increasing demand for regenerative meat, egg and dairy products; (3) facilitating an increase in global supply of regenerative meat, egg and dairy products. Followed by Q&A.

  • Alexis Baden-Mayer, Organic Consumers Association, USA
  • Andre Leu, IFOAM Organics International, Australia
  • Mercedes Lopez Martinez, Vía Orgánica and Asociación de Consumidores Orgánicos, México
  • Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Main Street Project, Guatemala/USA

Moderator: Katherine Paul, Regeneration International, USA

This event is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP on Facebook.

Re-framing Food and Agriculture: From Degeneration to Regeneration

Date: November 18 13h00 – 14h30
Location: Salle 2, Green Zone at COP22

Could the solution to the climate crisis as well as poverty and deteriorating public health be right under our feet, and at the end of our knives and forks?

Come join a dynamic and engaging conversation with leading voices in sustainable agriculture and food initiatives from around the globe. Together, we’ll explore how regenerative food, farming and land use can cool the planet and feed the world. This is the beginning of a movement. We encourage you to show up as collaborators ready to learn and share ideas, and leave as a part of the regenerative solution.

You’ll get to hear from and speak with:

  • Andre Leu, IFOAM Organics International, Australia
  • Murielle Trouillet, 4p1000 Initiative, French Ministry of Agriculture, France
  • Abdellah Boudhira, Regenerative Farmer, Morocco
  • Barbara Hachipuka Banda, Natural Agriculture Development Program, Zambia
  • Konrad Meyer, Biovision Foundation, Switzerland
  • John D Liu, Environmental Education Media Project, USA/China

Moderator: Ercilia Sahores, Regeneration International, Argentina

This event is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP on Facebook.