Cooling the planet WITH WATER

If we really want to cool the planet, it’s the hydrological cycle we need to focus on, not carbon.

That was one of the key messages that noted soil microbiologist and climatologist Walter Jehne gave at the Organic Dairy and Pastoral Group’s conference in March. For many years, he has being trying to raise the profile of hydrology in the climate management debate.

“The drawdown of carbon dioxide is essential because we need to rebuild organic matter in soils to get a soil carbon sponge that supports the water cycle. But the only way we can safely and naturally cool the planet and prevent climatic catastrophe is by restoring hydrological processes,” says Walter.

WATER VAPOUR AND HYDROLOGY

That there’s a halo of greenhouse gases encircling the earth is well understood, what a lot of us don’t know is that 80% of the greenhouse effect comes from water vapour and