Author: admin

New study shows looking after the soil is good for the climate

A new study from Northeastern University and nonprofit research organization The Organic Center (TOC), though, has reached the conclusion that soils from organic farms have 26 percent more potential for long-term carbon storage than soils from conventional farms, along with 13 percent more soil organic matter (SOM).

As reported in Civil Eats,  this study analyzed soil samples from over 700 conventional farms in 48 states. Chemists Elham Ghabbour and Geoffrey Davies  made the alarming discovery that these samples contained little to no humic substances. Humic substances are one portion of soil organic matter, which is made up of decomposing plant and animal matter. Humic substances are a major component of healthy, fertile soil, giving it structure and water-holding ability, among other things.  Ghabbour and Davies hypothesized that the lack of humic substances was due to the high-input practices inherent to conventional farming, such as tilling and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Read the full article on Civil Eats

Conference follow-up: report from Coaltown case study

What has coal meant for towns close to deposits? How are residents doing today – should the reserves be exploited more or should we look to alternatives? These are some of the questions explored at the Invest in Peace Forum – part of the Lands Lives and Peace conference held at the Caux Palace in Switzerland during July 2017. Continue reading Conference follow-up: report from Coaltown case study

Opinion: Agricultural investment is the path to our sustainable future

Published by Devex.com this opinion article by  Yvonne Harz-Pitre points out how investments in agriculture — the dominant occupation for the world’s poorest people — can help us make great strides on many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). This sector alone accounts for 70 percent of water use. It often becomes a casualty of climate change, but is also emits significant greenhouse gases. It employs millions of women — who, if given access to the same resources as men, could feed an extra 150 million people in the world.

Read more on the Devex website.

 

(Thanks to TBI daily for the news)

Konferenz Report Nr.1:  Frieden ist möglich

Im Juli veranstaltete der Caux Palace in der Schweiz das Invest in Peace Forum. Die Initiative, eine Kooperation zwischen der schwedischen Stiftung für nachhaltige Wirtschaft und Initiatives of Change, Schweden, hat in ihrer ersten Konferenz Bodenrestaurier, Friedensaktivisten und Investoren zusammengebracht, um herauszufinden, wie die Investment besser dazu beitragen kann, die Grundlagen für Friedens zu schaffen. Das Hauptthema konzentrierte sich darauf, wofür wir Investitionen benötigen, und wie wir die Bedingungen von treuhänderischen Investoren erfüllen können.

Continue reading Konferenz Report Nr.1:  Frieden ist möglich

Conference 2017 Summary: creating the conditions for Peace is Possible

During July, Caux Palace in Switzerland hosted the Invest in Peace Forum.  The initiative, a cooperation between the Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation and Initiatives of Change, Sweden, convened land restorers, peace activists and investors in its first-ever conference to explore how investment can better help build a foundation for peace. The main theme centered around what we need investment for, and how to meet the needs of fiduciary investors. Continue reading Conference 2017 Summary: creating the conditions for Peace is Possible

Time to Finance a Peaceful Future

Writing on her company blog, Marilou van Golstein Brouwers, Chair of the Management Board of Triodos Investment Management, urges us to be active investors in co-shaping a world that is more sustainable, humane and fair.

Indeed, in her role as she is meeting a growing number of people who want to invest their money according to their values, who want to contribute to positive change. As Marilou says:

“There is a growing momentum and awareness that is not going to be stopped.”

UN Secretary Christiana Figures visited Triodos Bank in November 2016. She is a stubborn optimist when it comes to our response to climate change.

 “What we finance in the next five years determines what the world will look like in the coming 300 years.”   Christiana Figueres, the former Executive secretary for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Read the full blog post here.