Earth’s boundaries are being crossed
A recent study published in the journal Science Advances found that Earth is now well outside the safe operating space for humanity. The study, which assessed nine planetary boundaries, found that six of them have been crossed, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and land use change.
These planetary boundaries are thresholds beyond which the Earth’s life support systems are in danger of collapse. If we continue to cross these boundaries, the consequences could be catastrophic, including more extreme weather events, mass extinctions, and food shortages.
There is still time to act, but we need to make significant changes to our way of life. One promising solution is hemp.
Hemp, grown at scale, can pull us back from Earth’s natural boundaries
Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including food, fibre, and biofuel. It is also a very efficient carbon sink, meaning it can help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The European Commission found that hemp can sequester at least 15 tonnes tons of carbon dioxide per hectare in one growing season of 4-5 months. This is more than twice the amount of carbon dioxide that trees can sequester.
Hemp can also help to improve soil quality, reduce erosion, and conserve water. It is a sustainable crop that can help us to address the climate crisis and other environmental challenges.
We need to start using hemp more widely if we want to reverse the trend of crossing the planet’s natural boundaries. Hemp is a powerful tool that we can use to create a more sustainable future.
Here are some specific ways that hemp can help us to reverse the trend of crossing the planet’s natural boundaries:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Hemp can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Improve soil quality: Hemp can help to improve soil quality by increasing organic matter content and reducing erosion.
- Conserve water: Hemp is a drought-tolerant crop that can help to conserve water.
- Reduce pollution: Hemp can be used to create biodegradable plastics and other products that can help to reduce pollution.
- Promote biodiversity: Hemp can help to promote biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
Hemp is a powerful tool that we can use to create a more sustainable future. By using hemp more widely, we can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil quality, conserve water, reduce pollution, and promote biodiversity.
If you are interested in learning more about how hemp can help to address the climate crisis, I encourage you to join us. Hempoffset, a Tao Climate business, helps businesses and individuals offset their carbon emissions by planting hemp. Our methodology for the creation of Hemp Carbon Credits is science-based and data-driven, with all impacts measured.
Together, we can use hemp to create a more sustainable future for our planet.
“The greatest threat to the planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
— Robert Swan
Learn more
Learn more about hemp at our Hemp Hub
Register your intent to take action on climate with us
Read the full report on Earth’s natural boundaries at Science Advances
The Guardian: Earth ‘well outside safe operating space for humanity’, scientists find
Image credit
Earth boundaries over time: Credit: Azote for Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University. Based on Richardson et al. 2023, Steffen et al. 2015, and Rockström et al. 2009
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Founder and CEO at Hempoffset.com and TaoClimate.com.
Hempoffset works with hemp growers and makers worldwide, to capture and sequester CO2 at scale, while building a sustainable world.
Tao Climate works with companies and individuals that want to measure, minimise and manage their carbon footprints. Tao Climate is the way to carbon neutral.
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