Its hard to get any 'balance'  in the discussion at the moment,  so really had to send this one out!

Click here for  a balanced view 

Yes,   the insurance industry is hurting!  Click here for latest figures.  These are the first effects of climate change.    COST, COST and more COST!   How long can Governments and business ignore this?   How long before you won't be able to insure against it? How long before it sends Governments broke -  Queensland is a good example.

Add this to the Climate Commissions report  out today  find it here    and we are really galloping towards the unknown!   This really is a sobering read,  but I hate the way it seems to assume that all is now 'set in stone'  as to what will happen.  Its like 'Well, the Titanic has hit the iceburg, assume the crash position'.  (the report has sections on specific areas of Australia which might be of interest to you)

Yet, we are still not engaging the largest carbon sink over which we have control -  the soil,   we are still painfully slow at engaging new  (people friendly) energy sources, and the powers that be seem to have the 'adaptation' model going -   assuming we can no longer 'mitigate' or lower the effects.

I know its important for people NOT to be afraid, but we do need a really big kick up the backside!  What will our children say to us  -   "What did you do Mummy (Daddy, Granma etc)  to help save us from the worst effects of climate change?"

I reckon we should be on a WAR FOOTING  now when it comes to truly making a difference in the time we have.   When there is such a focus,  people pull together towards a common goal.  Women, in the second World War did things we never knew we could do.  

The soils have such great win/wins.  Such productivity and other co-benefits to be had when we store carbon back in the soils - its just not good enough to say 'the gains are only small'  -  we need EVERY tool we have -  YESTERDAY! Sometimes I wonder if its just too easy, too 'low tech'  and that's what keeps it hidden -  if it cost billions to do,  it would probably get more air-time!     I know there are some 'difficulties' but for goodness sakes, we can get to the moon, we can invent airplanes that go faster than the speed of light,  surely overcoming some technical issues with soils CAN't be beyond us????????????

 

 

 Was is ever likely that Governments could truly lead on climate change -  Truly give us the requirements rooted in the real world to act in time, and in a way which would benefit the most?  

The article header reads  "Corporate world forced to lead on climate change"  -  Well,  what might that mean?

• There is now an urgent economic driver for change-  Costs of the 'climate variability'  are hitting Governments hard,  but their reactions are too slow.   The changes are happening NOW,  while we figure out how to use the largest carbon sink under our control (the soils).  The Carbon Farming Initiative may be well meaning, but is mired in a belief that the 'science'  is too hard.   We have no time to sacrifice the very good for the perfect!!

•So, now its a 'key strategic risk'  for companies.   Yay!  Given the strength of hitting the 'hip pockets' of business, perhaps we had to wait for this time.  Companies know the air must be cleaned up, they know they can't do business in an atmosphere where we are constantly hit by disasters. click here

•Sir Richard Branson recognised this  a few years ago and has an initiative called the 'Carbon War Room' click here They have a mission to "harness the power of Entrepreneurs to unlock market driven solutions to climate change'. 

Can the profit motive save the world?   
 

 

 

For those of us who believe looking after the planet is bigger than politics, we need to think of life post-election. So, what do we have?

If Labour wins (and stranger things have happened), we get 'business as usual' - The CFI, and a mandatory market, but with prices linked to the EU post 2015 - which, by all accounts probably means low prices! We also get a market STILL run by Government - and since when do Governments run a market well? 

If the Coalition wins we get the CFI, plus 'CDM type' projects - which is to say energy efficiency methodologies - in an effort to gain 'lowest cost' abatement. Soil is still in their 'direct action' plan, but has to compete with others. It is 'assumed' soil may well NOT be lowest cost (due to delays in getting going and bringing forth innovation I would suggest!) 

Either way, we get a mandatory market at low prices - high volumes AND/ OR a market dominated by ONE player - the Government - after low prices.

However - strangely enough, they both need to reach the 5% by 2020 target, which is quite a lot of carbon. Therefore one can safely assume there is a market.

As one who entered this space with a deep belief that we need to make changes to the way we consume energy and to the improvements of our 'farm scape' , as well as continue to grow economically and socially, then I'm wondering:

• Can we make a market without 'Government' How do we transition from this phase of 'Government forcing us to do something to a population which wishes to make changes and therefore change happens? 
• Is this happening anywhere in the world? 

If so, what is the 'business case'?

• The cost of the extreme weather events is already mounting, here and overseas. This is why Governments are worried. China is worried! They will 'mandate' things as we move forward and it is likely they will impose tarriffs on countries who are not doing something. 
• Most people have children and grandchildren and wish for our most beautiful planet to remain so. After all, 'good planets are hard to find' and even if there is a small chance climate change is real, if we give them a Good Value, easy to implement reason for adding $25 a week to their budgets to ensure it does, I have no doubts they will do so. (how much does a steak cost in Sydney, for example?)
• Business understands they need a stable atmosphere to maintain business and they have a duty of care to stakeholders and others. Responsible business such as Transforce Buik Haulage in Dubbo NSW stands ready to support farmers in their bid to improve their soils and help them 'clean up after themselves'

So, I'm dreaming of a real market, one where normal business drivers exist, where jobs are created and profits earnt, where our soils are simultaneously resorted, our air cleaned and our children protected. Where our energy efficiency improves, we learn to use our waste profitably again and Government is not front and centre!

Can we do it? Yes we can!

The Two Markets

In this week's webinar 'The Two Markets' we will be exploring some of what is happening here and overseas and 'envisioning' a market we'd like to live in. Our webinars are for innovators - We go beyond just 'explain the CFI', we give clues to potential futures, we open up your mind. We have over 25 years of Marketing and Business experience which we have focussed in this area. Come, pick our brains and be inspired about the future!

CFI 'heats up'

Amazingly, having reported the first soil carbon measurement protocol published, we have two more in the pipeline! And also, RCS (Grazing for Profit) will soon be putting up a soil carbon methodology for the CFI - with a new soil carbon measurement protocol in it as well. This leaves the CSIRO one needing to come to light. Yes, innovation will come. Thats what getting started is about. 

This is why we do not agree that investigating the sequestration potential of soil carbon is 'going up a blind alley'.

Yes, we were floored by the Radio National Story on Sunday - The journalist did a great job, but it appeared to be a 'shut the gate' exercise from Dreyfus. Personally, I think he is worried that it is an area that the Opposition could just creep up behind them on - again. And again, the Government may be shown to be wanting.

Do we remember, for instance, how many times it took Thomas Edison to discover how to make an electric light work more efficiently! The scientists themselves now acknowledge the need to look into areas which we asked for right from the beginning (collaborative science with those making the high end of sequestration a reality)!

For our response to the Sunday program, please check it out here. 

To me, it looks like soil carbon may have just become politicised in this highly charged election year. However, the soil remains the largest carbon sink under our control, and if we do not want any perverse outcomes from only allowing trees to be planted , then we have only just found out one small piece of information to be put into the jigsaw puzzle. 

In the meantime, we had a great first webinar last week and are set to continue this week. This Thursday we continue with 'The Carbon Farming Initiative Process', featuring 'The Seven Steps to a Carbon Credit'. Register now to receive the most up to date information from those that know!

Whats happening with the CFI this week?

Confidence in the Carbon Markets has been shown by the Landfill Gas Recovery and Intensive Pig Industry.

Since the first piggery 'CO2 from methane' digester project was started in the Young District, there are now four others up and in the running for Carbon Credits. Two declared and two more coming. Add this to the fact that there are no fewer than 20 capture and combustion of methane in landfill gas from legacy waste projects, shows that people will invest to enter this market. See the full list here.

Meanwhile Broadacre farmers and the soils wait... 

Go forth and plant trees, my son! (sayeth the Department). Begs the question yet again - is the CFI just an intensive industry/waste industry initiative? There have been millions spent on soil carbon research - and our need to change soil management is immediate. We have been given assurances that things are moving fast...

Webinars

Carbon Farming is here to stay - both sides of politics are committed (YAY!). Coalition is promising a soil carbon methodology within the CFI - with a 25 year option, but low on details at this point. 

Don't forget to register for upcoming webinars to make sure you are ready to take decisions! We take the pain out of the language and point the way to the future. 

Soil Carbon "Action on the Ground" 

The VCS guys are off and running. Their 'learnings' will help us all. Click here to view the VCS soil carbon meth in action!

ALSO from overseas - more soil carbon measurement protocols being developed. Who said nothing is happening overseas? Click here for more information!

Check out our new Resources section

Because we are educators at our core we like to share our wealth of information. We have an academic and business background and have researched widely. These resources are a great way to understand the what/where/how of Carbon Farming, the CFI, and other matters. Plus, many of them are FREE.

We've been working hard on the 'methodology' area as well, to enable 'the common man' to be able to participate in this 
area. Michael has written a fantastic guide which is available in the online shop - it's a great guide to staying sane through the process!

Miscellaneous great links and stories from home and abroad! 

• Want the facts and only the facts on recent heat wave, duration, highest temps? Click here to read the Bureau of Meteorology's climate statement. Sobering reading if you ask me. 
• Discussion around climate change and doing something may be changing in the USA as people come to grips with the increased cost associated with the ferocity of surges, storms and other nasties - click here to read.
• Measuring, mapping, and understanding water risks around the globe! Very authoritative. Click here to read.

I remain your humble carbon servant. I can be reached on 02 6374 0329, or email louisa@carbonfarmersofaustralia.com.au.

Back on the job! Sorry for absence over the last few weeks although may have caught up with many of you on the old 'social media' - call it 'post conference' exhaustion! Having cleared the first few piles of material however, the sheer weight and interest of what is going on pulls me back again to spread the word. 

Announcing the Website Revolution!

Many moons ago, we dreamed up a megasite - in fact a 'webtropolis' and it is now live! We'll have much more general information for you, as well as many ways of moving forward with your carbon farming and even energy efficiency goals and aspirations. We'll have places where you can let us know what you are thinking, and a place for innovations as well. We'll be working hard over the break to develop it further!

New Training Announced

Yes, we are entering the 'digital age' like never before! We've figured out the technology and we will be holding our very first Webinars in early February - Check back for dates as I'll be beavering away getting the materials ready.

Soil Carbon... on and on and on

Meanwhile, in the face of continued 'discussion' between science and practice on what can be done in soils, Michael has uncovered the 'theory of the outliers' and managed to have a chat to Dr Jeff Baldock about these 'unexplained' results. We've identified with Dr Jeff Baldock of CSIRO that our carbon cockies and indeed the 19 wonderful farmers in the Major General Jeffries program and others could well be the 'outliers'. That is those who have shown that they CAN do more, store more and keep more than is commonly understood.

We hope to put a research project application in around these areas, using the 'Good Doctor Baldock' and our fabulous Carbon Farmers. Stay tuned!

Elephants in the room

1. Is the CFI an 'intensive industry' only space? 

As well known advocates of soil carbon and broadacre farming in the 'carbon farming' space, we pose the question: Is the CFI destined to be for Councils, those who burn savannah and intensive industry only? While I am very grateful for the 'Environmental Plantings' Meth - and this is the first one which can be undertaken by a broadacre farmer - Where is soil carbon and nitrous oxide reduction from altered fertiliser use? 

Nowhere on the Government site can you see what is happening within the bowels of the 'soil carbon working group' or the nitrous oxide side - I have suggested more transparency to the Department, so hopefully it's not a sin to be able to be informed on such things.

2. The mystery of the 'meth'. 

While there are many and various 'Grant Applications' open, of which we are part of a few (stay tuned), and which will result in many great training opportunities, we remain prisoners of the difficulty of 'methodology interpretation'. Have a look at an approved one on the Government site. 

The problem is, they are highly technical, and difficult to read (Greek, we say!). Without a 'Plain English' version of each, how is a well informed landholder going to be able to decide which one is best for them? No use educating everyone on a process that once it gets to the point of project implementation falters on this difficulty? Let me work on that one!

Conference Wrap-up

Well, did we raise the profile of what farmers can do in this space? Did we deliver it in Plain English, and did we show the step by step guide? Yes we did. Is it still complicated, and long winded and New?Yes it is. 

This is a 'journey' and a process new to all. Its complex because you are selling information - But consider this - This is the ONLY thing you can sell, where you get to keep the product - Yes, you will keep the carbon you store, for instance, and the benefits of reductions in nitrous oxide! (Thanks to Peter Richardson of Object Consulting for pointing this out). Conference slides are also available at the Conference program page, and included here for your reference:

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Alistair Handley (2344 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Angus Maurice (13965 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Brian Murphy (4593 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Darryl Paulhus (3113 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Freddy Sharpe (831 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Jennifer Lauber Patterson (1439 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Kellie Waters (1946 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Mary-Anne Wilson (345 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Mobile Pyrolysis Plant (6951 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Peter McGee (690 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Peter Robertson (633 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Romily Webster (1790 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Shane Joyce (15013 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Tony O'Hara (494 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Virginia Young (1918 KB)

Carbon Farming Conference 2012 - Wayne Sharpe (1387 KB)

We had a terrific line up of Carbon Cockies and Shane and Shan Joyce were thrilled to take out the top honours.

I'd now like to, of course do the Merry Christmas thing - and wish you a calm, peaceful, time - full of as much sleep, grog, sand and water - or whatever it is you need to rest awhile and recharge the batteries! We'll be back early next year - and we are calling 2013 - THE YEAR OF THE SOIL CARBON METHODOLOGY.

Yours, as ever  - humble carbon servant. I can be reached on 02 6374 0329, or email louisa@carbonfarmersofaustralia.com.au.

1. The 100 Year Rule is not based on science. It is a convention of uncertain origin. It is not based on the period required for a molecule of CO2 to cycle through the atmosphere, as is commonly believed. (See "The 100 Years Rule: Deal Killer or Price Support?")
2. Offsets based on avoided emissions are no more or less secure than offsets based on sequestration. They cannot guarantee that the emissions avoided will remain avoided for 100 years.
3. State Ministers of Lands are unlikely to allow Crown lessees to enter contracts that run longer than the lease itself.
4. There have been very few programs established anywhere in the world with 100 Years ruling them in 2005-2012.
5. There are precedents for a range of periods, based on achieving a range of objectives.
6. Short periods can have long term effects, as farmers tend to renew stewardship covenants. A series of short term agreements can provide long term benefits.
7. More than 95% of buyers of forest-based offsets say the co-benefits of carbon sequestration can add significant value to them .
8. The statement that the carbon credits are merely a ‘bonus’, that the real benefit is higher production, demeans the CFI and the change it could bring and the blockage the 100 Years Rule represents.
9. There are several options to the pure 100 Years Rule, including buffer pools, insurances, government guarantees, ‘banking’ offsets, hedging, etc.
10. There are entrenched attitudes in Australian society that farmers should provide ecosystem services to society for free. If landholders are to be paid, it should be made as hard as possible so farmers will not make ‘money for jam’, hence The 100 Years Rule.

For More, see "The 100 Years Rule: Deal Killer or Price Support?"
 
Read more…

How much would you pay the people who could solve this problem? 

AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE, OI, OI, OI!!!

Draft Conference Program announced!

With the success of our paralympians and the ringing in my ears, my fervour rises into the stratosphere (and my language skills tend to decrease as a result). "Dare to dream" hardly does these guys justice. Many have overcome obstacles that make me shake in my boots just thinking about. Many, many have been told never to dream, to go home and accept their fate.

The reason they are there is because they WON'T accept their 'limitations', preferring to write their own scripts. It CAN be done, they are sure, if they just keep up the hard work, take the pain and stay as focused as an arrow searching for the bullseye. Hour after relentless hour.

It is with this fervour that we mount the 6th annual Carbon Farming Conference and Expo. With this conference I want to show how we CAN make a multi-million dollar market that simultaneously helps solve the climate challenge, builds resilience into the Australian landscape and breathes life back into Regional Australia.

For once, we have:

• The political will, from both sides of politics 
• A ready made market - The low carbon era is here to stay, no matter the right or wrong.
• A starting framework - and what starting framework has ever been perfect?
• The best business people in Australia being called to do the job. Our Farmers.

Yet the CFI is having trouble getting off the ground. She's the Boeing 747 of her time; she's on the runway, she's got the fuel, but where is lift off? Why is there no lift off? Because we are still talking Greek!

Where is the PLAIN ENGLISH explanation? what actually ARE the rules and can we live with them? or who do we talk to for advice? Is the Government listening?

COME ON DOWN TO THE 2012 CARBON FARMING CONFERENCE AND EXPO!

Now folks, because I spend 24/7 eating and breathing this thing and I love Plain English, I’ve been able to put together experts in each of the relevant, in play now, fields to explain this to you in detail. 

• What are the rules?
• How to engage
• Is there a buck in it now?
• What is coming up?
• Basically everything you need to make a decision around being involved – if you are a farmer, an NRM agency, or you provide services to farmers. Instant expert, over just a few days. 

We've unveiled the draft Conference program, so why not give this a bloody good shake and then see if we can live with it! You won't know until you can weigh it up. 

Stay turned for some more great announcements, too - will have to wait until next newsletter because I've prattled on too long!

As you know, I remain your humble carbon servant.

P.S. Oh, and for some reason the Prime Minister has declined my offer of a speaking spot. Will I let that stop me?