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A circular innovation for Africa: recycling coconut waste reduces timber consumption and deforestation. Photo: Freetown sl Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Freetown sl Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The story of Alhaji, the startupper who is curbing deforestation with coconut waste

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Una soluzione circolare contro la deforestazione in Africa Occidentale. Alhaji Siraj Bah, giovanissimo innovatore di Freetown, in Sierra Leone, scommette sui residui del cocco per offrire un’alternativa ai prodotti derivati dal legno
"The EU must encourage carbon removal and support carbon credits," according to European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski (photo). Image: CC-BY-4.0: © European Union 2019 - Source: EP© European Union 2019 - Source: EP CC-BY-4.0:

Brussels is working on carbon credits, as certification framework is still undefined

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The EU Commission aims to draw up the required guidelines for the calculation and recognition of credits in the carbon farming sector by the end of the year. The matter is complicated as companies pressure raise doubts on deadline compliance.
A soil sampling operation. The survey, which also involves Colorado State University, is focused on the interactions between grazing, soil and the carbon cycle. Photo: courtesy of Francesca Cotrufocourtesy of Francesca Cotrufo

Grazing land, hidden treasure: “Adaptive grazing management helps climate and soil”

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A research on the interactions between livestock, soil and the carbon cycle was just launched in the US. Francesca Cotrufo (Colorado State University): "We are already working at global scale, market participants have realized the importance of the issue". Carbon is crucial, "but accurate calculation methodologies are needed".
High energy costs and China's export squeeze are pushing fertilizer prices to their highest levels since the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Photo: Cjp24 Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Cjp24 Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Soil tests revive as fertilizer prices skyrocket

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Fertilizer costs at their highest peak in 12 years. Here is the chance to focus on preliminary soil analysis, a crucial tool to limit excessive and inefficient use of additives
For years, U.S. and Canadian scientists have been studying microbes of some farmland in Ontario to identify links between some particular crops and soil balance. Photo: Pixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not requiredPixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not required

Microbes tell us how the soil is doing. And they help save on fertilizer

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It' s not just about organic matter: microbes are crucial in guaranteeing a proper soil balance. Canadian and Amercan scientists have developed a new test to capture soil biological activity
Nel 2023 la Commissione UE finalizzerà la Nature Restoration Law con l’obiettivo di tutelare legalmente il suolo e azzerare il consumo netto entro il 2050. Foto: Gerd Altmann Creative Commons CC0 Public domain

EU ready to work on soil law: “Net consumption must go to zero by 2050”

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The Commission has announced a European law for soil protection by 2023. Debora Fino (Re Soil): "An historic choice, now Member States can take a major step forward". Concerns over France and Germany's position
Australia is betting on soil carbon sequestration. But according to an expert "the idea that the agricultural sector can offset fossil damage is pretty fanciful." Photo: John Englart Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Photo: John Englart Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Soil carbon sequestration in Australia can’t offset emissions

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Australia is focusing on soil carbon sequestration. But without a government u-turn in the fight against climate change, the agricultural sector will not be able to offset the damages of the fossil fuel industry
Assessing carbon concentration is crucial for Malawi farmers who need to maximize the fertility of their soils. Photo: USAID Free to use CC0USAID Free to use CC0

Low cost technology helps African farmers to measure carbon in soil

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In Malawi, a $400 calibrated reflectometer has allowed to record the carbon concentration in soil. A key step for better managing agricultural land
The Ulan Buh desert in Mongolia hosted the first large-scale trial conducted by Chinese researchers. Photo: 摩游乐 Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)摩游乐 Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

China is fighting desertification by adding cellulose to sand

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Chinese researchers offer a solution to soil degradation: a plant paste that can turn the desert into a grassland. The new technology might help 500 million people in Central Asia
Pandemic gave a major boost to the proliferation of gardening and urban agriculture. Photo: John Breslin CC0 Public DomainJohn Breslin CC0 Public Domain

California shows golden rules for urban agriculture and sustainable gardening

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The gardening boom since 2020 offers great opportunities. But caring for urban gardens without wasting resources requires attention.