An info-graphic campaign highlighting the importance of regenerative organic farming as a strong mitigator of climate change was launched recently.
The campaign is led by the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) supporting the Pacific island coutries bid for a warming threshold of no more than 1.5 degrees as the Pacific position at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) negotiations in Paris.
Pacific island leaders through two declarations, one from the Pacific Islands Development Forum meeting in Fiji and the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Papua New Guinea declared that global warming has to be kept under 1.5 degrees to avoid the severe impacts of sea-level rise and extreme weather events on vulnerable states.
Organic farming as proven through various scientific findings offers climate solutions through the greater capture of carbon dioxide and green house gases from the atmosphere that contribute to climate change.
Infographics focus on driving home this message with strong visuals and through harnessing the power of social networks like Facebook and Twitter to grab the attention of the world.
The campaign theme ‘Agriculture Counts’ shines the spotlight on the sector.“They inform our online audiences the role agriculture has played in climate change,” said POETCom Coordinator, Karen Mapusua.
“The campaign slogan ‘Agriculture Counts’ places the focus on the sectors contributions to GHG emissions and these are often not recognised or people are largely unaware because there is more focus on emissions by the energy sector.

“Chemical agriculture or conventional farming systems contributes 40 percent more GHG’s than organic farming.
“As we share the campaign with our online community we look forward to interactions over its messages to get people discussing this important issue.
“Already we are witnessing this happen as the campaign gains more traction.”

Useful as well as an adaptation measure, regenerative organic farming promotes resilient farming systems able to adapt to extreme weather patterns like droughts to continue producing healthy, nourishing food.
“While we target COP21 decision makers, we are also reaching out to Pacific farmers to adopt farming practices that are resilient to climate change,” Mapusua added.

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