Heal the World: An Earth Day Story
In the quest to reverse climate change, harm reduction alone is not enough - we must also focus on healing damage already done. Badger is leveraging the power of regenerative agriculture to tackle climate change from the ground up. Read on to learn more!
In 1985, scientists discovered a hole in the ozone - a layer that shields Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays - much like Badger’s mineral sunscreen. When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals used in refrigerants and propellants like aerosol cans were blamed, drastic action was taken to stop their use. In the 34 years since its discovery, global efforts have halted the expansion of the hole in the ozone layer, but not healed it.
Today, we -- scientists, citizens, businesses, etc. -- recognize that healing the world requires more than the halting of harmful actions. In order to reverse climate change and restore balance for future generations, we must regenerate and heal our soil, atmosphere, forests, and oceans, transforming degeneration to regeneration. And that’s exactly what we are doing here at Badger!
In the summer of 2017, we made 5 commitments to reverse climate change through the Climate Collaborative. We’ve made progress on all 5 of these commitments, and in 2018, we made an important sixth commitment to integrate carbon farming in our agricultural supply chain and increase our regenerative capacity. What does this mean?
A Carbon Story
Carbon is a natural building block, a fundamental component of all known life on earth. Just as energy moves through the food web, carbon moves from the earth into the atmosphere and back again through natural cycles. With the onset of mechanized, large-scale production in the Industrial Revolution, the combustion of coal and fossil fuel has emitted far greater levels of carbon in our atmosphere than can be absorbed through natural cycles. The use of chemical fertilizers, mono-cropping, deforestation, and other harmful human practices have reduced soil health and further weakened our planet’s capacity for absorbing carbon. These disruptions to our natural carbon cycle have put into peril the resiliency of the very systems upon which life on Earth depends!
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture improves and revitalizes the health of the soil through farming it, rather than leaving it depleted. Using techniques like cover cropping, not tilling, composting, and keeping soil covered strengthens and allows nature to engage in natural cycles that draw down harmful atmospheric carbon and transform it into helpful soil organic carbon.
That’s why Badger and many companies like us are committed to using regenerative agriculture as a tool for fighting climate change. In doing so, we:
- Reduce greenhouse gas levels in our atmosphere
- Improve soil health & fertility
- Promote food security
- Increase ecosystem health & resiliency
- Protect biodiversity
- Build community resiliency
- Restore water quality
How and Where are We Using Regenerative Agriculture?
- On the Badger grounds and gardens in Gilsum, NH, we are engaging our employees in using regenerative practices and transforming our land. Big changes are coming this summer, and we look forward to sharing more soon!
- We continue to work on increasing the regenerative capacity of our supply network, working with growers who engage in these practices wherever possible, like Soler Romero, where our olive oil is grown.
- We are partnering with other organizations to champion regenerative agriculture, and to advocate for healthy soils.
With kindness as our compass, we wholeheartedly seek to do no harm. Yet we know that in order to make real, lasting change for people and planet, we must aim higher- to regenerating and healing damage already done. We believe that supporting regenerative agriculture is a resilient, healing method for restoring lost balance and reversing climate change.
Want to join us in your own backyard? Learn more about the practices we are using in the Badger garden and get the tools you need to grow your own Climate Victory Garden here!