Michael Kiely Michael Kiely Carbon Farmers of Carbon Farmers of

AustraliaAustralia

Save Our SoilsSave Our Soils

Save the Family FarmSave the Family Farm

Save The Planet:Save The Planet:

The Soil Carbon SolutionThe Soil Carbon Solution

PARALLEL UNIVERSES?PARALLEL UNIVERSES?

SCIENCE & AGRICULTURESCIENCE & AGRICULTURE

Science has failed to reproduce results farmers Science has failed to reproduce results farmers get.get.

Pots and Plots? Methodology?Pots and Plots? Methodology?

Effect of observer?Effect of observer?

COLLIDING COLLIDING UNIVERSES?UNIVERSES?

““Soil Science Summits”Soil Science Summits”

Bring scientists and farmers togetherBring scientists and farmers together

Agricultural ScientistsAgricultural Scientists&&

Agricultural ExperimentalistsAgricultural Experimentalists

Sharing perspectivesSharing perspectives

Collaborative Research?Collaborative Research?

Use farmers’ practical knowledge toUse farmers’ practical knowledge to reality-check scientific attempts to recreate reality-check scientific attempts to recreate

realityreality

WHO CANWHO CANPREDICT THE FUTURE?PREDICT THE FUTURE?

ESTIMATIONS OF SOIL C MARKET “POTENTIAL”ESTIMATIONS OF SOIL C MARKET “POTENTIAL”

WHO CAN PREDICT…WHO CAN PREDICT…

The Price of Carbon when USA, China & India The Price of Carbon when USA, China & India eventually enter a market already suffering eventually enter a market already suffering

shortages of offsets?shortages of offsets?

The Costs of measurement when market reaches The Costs of measurement when market reaches critical mass?critical mass?

The Rates of Carbon Sequestration when results The Rates of Carbon Sequestration when results from new biotech solutions contradict estimations from new biotech solutions contradict estimations

of peer-reviewed science?of peer-reviewed science?

Can We Predict New Ideas, or New Technology?Can We Predict New Ideas, or New Technology?

CONFIDENCECONFIDENCEIN SCIENCE?IN SCIENCE?

Among farmers?Among farmers?In the community?In the community?

How RIGHT can it be?How RIGHT can it be?About what?About what?

SOIL CARBON SOIL CARBON SOLUTION IS SOLUTION IS INEVITABLE?INEVITABLE?

WHY?WHY?

33 FUNDAMENTAL FUNDAMENTAL FACTSFACTS

1.1. MORE AUSTRALIAN ICONS MORE AUSTRALIAN ICONS DESTROYEDDESTROYED

(MURRAY-DARLING RIVERS SYSTEM)(MURRAY-DARLING RIVERS SYSTEM)

2. THREAT OF INVASION FROM ASIA?2. THREAT OF INVASION FROM ASIA?

predicted bypredicted by

3. NO SHORT TERM SOLUTION3. NO SHORT TERM SOLUTION(except SOIL CARBON)(except SOIL CARBON)

Professor Rattan Lal*:Professor Rattan Lal*:“…“…a bridge to the future”a bridge to the future”

Professor Bruce McCarl*:Professor Bruce McCarl*:

““instantly implementableinstantly implementable””

*IPCC Lead Author*IPCC Lead Author

NeitherNeither

““Clean Coal”Clean Coal”NorNor

Nuclear PowerNuclear PowerNorNor

Solar EnergySolar EnergyNorNor

Wind TurbinesWind TurbinesNorNor

ForestsForestscan remove thecan remove the

Legacy Load* of CO2eLegacy Load* of CO2eIn the next 10-20 years.In the next 10-20 years.

*(70-100 years’ backlog of emissions already *(70-100 years’ backlog of emissions already in atmosphere is enough to drive us through the in atmosphere is enough to drive us through the

dangerous 2°C level into Climate Chaos)dangerous 2°C level into Climate Chaos)

PHOTOSYNTHESISPHOTOSYNTHESIS

CAPACITYCAPACITY

DEPLOYMENTDEPLOYMENT

CRITICAL MASSCRITICAL MASS

ONLYONLY

AT MASSIVEAT MASSIVE

AT FULLAT FULL

AND SIGNIFICANTAND SIGNIFICANT

CAN TACKLE THE LEGACY LOADCAN TACKLE THE LEGACY LOAD

FARMERSFARMERSMANAGE 60% of TERRESTIAL MANAGE 60% of TERRESTIAL

SURFACESURFACE

CAPACITYCAPACITY5.5 BILLION HECTARES5.5 BILLION HECTARES

DEPLOYEDDEPLOYEDCAN EXTRACT 10 BILLION TONNES CAN EXTRACT 10 BILLION TONNES

CO2eCO2e CRITICAL MASSCRITICAL MASS@ .55 TONNES @ .55 TONNES CARBON/HECTARECARBON/HECTARE

WHEN THE WORLD EMITSWHEN THE WORLD EMITS

8.5 BILLION TONNES CO2e8.5 BILLION TONNES CO2eMORE THAN IT SHOULD EACH YEARMORE THAN IT SHOULD EACH YEAR

Why Carbon Farming?Why Carbon Farming?(Time to reach critical mass)(Time to reach critical mass)

1010 2020 3030 40 40 5050

YearsYears

SoilSoil

ForestsForests

Clean CoalClean Coal

NuclearNuclear

WindWind

SolarSolar

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

The World has The World has 10 Years to do 10 Years to do

something something serious about serious about

Global Global Warming-Warming-

STERN STERN REPORT / REPORT /

NASANASA

OFFICIALOFFICIAL‘BARRIERS TO TRADE’‘BARRIERS TO TRADE’

1. No peer-reviewed data available as evidence of Australian 1. No peer-reviewed data available as evidence of Australian soilssoilsʼ̓capability.capability.

2. Common belief that soil carbon is 2. Common belief that soil carbon is ʻ̒hard to measurehard to measureʼ̓..

3. Additionality provisions of Kyoto Protocol which state that an 3. Additionality provisions of Kyoto Protocol which state that an action must be taken primarily for the purposes of action must be taken primarily for the purposes of sequestration.sequestration.

4. Permanence provisions of Kyoto, which refers to the so-4. Permanence provisions of Kyoto, which refers to the so-called “100 Year Rule”.called “100 Year Rule”.

5. Lack of an agreed methodology for measurement, 5. Lack of an agreed methodology for measurement, monitoring and verification.monitoring and verification.

6. The cost of baselining and regular updates of soil carbon 6. The cost of baselining and regular updates of soil carbon scores.scores.

The most important barriers to soil carbon trading The most important barriers to soil carbon trading are:are:

a.) the science is lagging the politics;a.) the science is lagging the politics;

b.) ignorance of the issues at all levels;b.) ignorance of the issues at all levels;

c.) fear of the soil solution; andc.) fear of the soil solution; and

d.) lack of a sense of urgency.d.) lack of a sense of urgency.

THE REAL BARRIERSTHE REAL BARRIERS

Sense of urgency in Government: wait until 2015?Sense of urgency in Government: wait until 2015?

Department For Finding Reasons Why Soil Carbon Cannot Department For Finding Reasons Why Soil Carbon Cannot Be TradedBe Traded

Rules suit fossil fuel and forestry (the 3 F’s)Rules suit fossil fuel and forestry (the 3 F’s)

Rules seem to be designed to shut out soil carbonRules seem to be designed to shut out soil carbon

$4billion for fossil fuel industries$4billion for fossil fuel industries

$…..? Soil carbon$…..? Soil carbon

THE REAL BARRIERS TO THE REAL BARRIERS TO TRADETRADE

The real barrier is between the earsThe real barrier is between the ears

Governments cannot lead, but only follow.Governments cannot lead, but only follow.

Green groups cannot lead, but only reactGreen groups cannot lead, but only react

The People alone can lead.The People alone can lead.

If not you, who?If not you, who?

If not now, when?If not now, when?

“I walked away feeling very excited!”

“A stellar cast!” The Land

“Euphoric!”

30 Expert Speakers

“A challenging time ahead.”

2008 CARBON FARMING

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“Great speakers”

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Sunflower photo David Ward

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KEEPING UP WITH CARBON FARMING

•Leading Carbon Cockies reveal their techniques

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•New soil carbon trading scheme launched

•AND MUCH MORE…SEE

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2009: THE YEAR OF SOIL CARBON

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Photo: David Ward

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Country

“Uamby” via Goolma NSW 2852 26 December, 2008

Hello,

Today I heard a news report that made me depressed. The banks have started foreclosing on farmers impacted by Climate Change. It makes me spit. While the big city investor gets a tax break to buy up family farms and plant forests as ‘carbon sinks’, the farmer is to be slugged with a ‘tax’ for emissions… but denied the right to trade the soil carbon they can sequester. Soil carbon credits alone could save family farms. The Garnaut Report’s figures indicate that soil carbon credits could add 30% to a farmer’s income. Properly managed, pasture and croplands can capture and hold more carbon than a forest… and provide food and incomes for local people. We know that. But it takes a lot of explaining to get decision-makers to understand. It takes a lot of time with scientists to get the evidence we need. And it takes a lot of travelling to speak with farmers and tell them that soil carbon can potentially offset their emissions plus provide as buffer against lower rainfall and higher temperatures. This is the work of the Carbon Coalition. And we need your help to continue. We are getting close to 1/next…

An Appeal From The Carbon Coalition

We have big plans for 2009:

1. SOIL-C-CENTRAL is a mega-website under construction that will provide access to every important source of information about soil carbon.

2. WORLD SOIL CARBON SYMPOSIUM: We plan to stage a webcast conference linking soil carbon experts on 5 continents in an event that will gain global attention.

3. NATIONAL SOIL CARBON STRATEGY to map the best way forward.

4. CARBON FARMING PILOT PROGRAM: This will see 50 farmers across Australia demonstrating in real time how they can grow soil carbon levels and offset their methane and nitrogen emissions - to prove it can be done.

…2/next

success. Carbon Farming is widely acknowledged as a win-win-win solution: It is about healthy soils, healthy landscapes, healthy farm profits and healthy rural communities. And a healthy climate: Soil carbon experts believe that the world’s 5.5 billion hectares of agricultural soils can absorb enough CO2 to give renewable energy alternatives time to reach critical mass. It is the only hope we have of staving off the worst effects of Climate Change.

5. SCIENTIFIC EXPERT PANEL: We have started this project which aims to give Australian landholders the same access to markets enjoyed by US and Canadian farmers.

6. AUSTRALIAN CARBON FARMING ASSOCIATION: An official organisation to manage services to members and add weight to the Coalition’s lobbying efforts.

7. BUYERS’ GUIDE TO BIOFERT: A “Choice Magazine”-style service that rates suppliers of soil treatments based on customer ratings.

Great outcomes if we succeed. And we have come a long way in a short time. When we started in late 2005 ‘soil carbon’ was not on the radar. After PM Rudd announced a national enquiry into the issue, The Land’s Matt Cawood said:

“You single-handedly barnstormed the issue onto the National Agenda… We wouldn’t be talking about soil carbon if it wasn’t for you.”

And this month the UN’s Food & Agricultural Organisation (FAO) acknowledged the Coalition’s contribution to its own campaign for changes to the Kyoto rules about soil carbon at Copenhagen 2009.

…3/next

Enclosed you’ll find an ad for the DVD and CD recordings of the recent Carbon Farming Conference - the latest word on the subject and still the only dedicated Carbon Farming conference in the world. Australia is acknowledged as the leader in carbon farming by practitioners in the USA and Africa. More than 30 experts shared their insights at this unique conference. It’s an ideal resource for your group or your staff. We have also produced The Carbon Farming Handbook, a solid introduction to the field and a useful resource. Again, the only one of its kind, and again world-leading information. By purchasing anything from Carbon Farmers of Australia, you enable the work of the Carbon Coalition to continue. An order form is enclosed. You can also use the Order Form make a donation to support the work of the Carbon Coalition. Look at the dominos on page 2. And count the ways you can make the world and better, safer place for our children and grandchildren.

Thank you for your support,

Michael KielyCo-ConvenorCarbon Coalition

PS. You could do a great thing if you passed this email around your networks.

…4/ends

The Carbon Farming Handbook

Written by Michael Kiely, author of Carbon Coalition’s blogsite for 3 years, journalist and editor, and carbon farmer. Educated by Australia’s best carbon farmers and soil scientists. Australia’s leading commentator on soil carbon issues.

AT LAST!

An Introduction to Soil Carbon, Land Management & Climate Change

• For Beginners and Experts

Chapters include: • Growing Soil Carbon • How to Baseline • Emerging Markets • Carbon Farming Techniques • Benefits Beyond Credits

Support the Support the Soil Carbon Soil Carbon MovementMovement

Hard CopyHard Copy: $95 + $9.95 P&H: $95 + $9.95 P&H

5+ copies $35 ea. (+P&H)5+ copies $35 ea. (+P&H)

CALL 02 6374 0329 CALL 02 6374 0329 (Every cent goes towards the Carbon (Every cent goes towards the Carbon

Coalition’s Soil Carbon Campaign)Coalition’s Soil Carbon Campaign)

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The world needs Carbon Farmers to feed it and help restore the landscape and to help reduce the pace of Climate Change.

We need your help. Every time you spend money with Carbon Farmers of Australia you are contributing to the outreach, lobbying and policy work of the Carbon Coalition.*

(See carboncoalitionoz.blogspot.com)

Support the Support the Carbon Carbon

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* “You single-handedly barnstormed the issue onto the National agenda.” - Matt Cawood, The Land

* “I believe that they [the Convenors of the Carbon Coalition] should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.” - Andre Leu, Chairman, Organics Federation of Australia

CARBON FARMERS OF AUSTRALIA

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Support the Support the Soil Carbon Soil Carbon MovementMovement

Thank you,

Your contribution will allow the Coalition to continue the work of raising awareness among politicians and city people of the powerful opportunity that Soil Carbon offers us all to avoid the worst effects of climate change, to restore health to the farm landscapes, to give new hope to rural communities, and a new future to families on the land. We couldn’t do it without you.

Michael Kiely