Now in his senior year, Benji was excited to be taking Ms. Learnalot’s Current Issues class. He’d already decided on a term paper topic. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had recently released the “Climate Change and Land” report. With land stewardship going back generations on Benji’s family farm, he wanted to do his part, and he needed to learn more.
That night he poured over a summary of the report but eventually his eyelids drooped, and Benji fell into a deep sleep. His dream world took him to a Colonial Era print shop where his distant relative, Benjamin Franklin, was setting type for the next edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac.
Benji chatted with the elder statesman and shared what he’d already learned. The report confirmed that the Earth’s climate is definitely being disrupted. There’s no time to lose in addressing that reality. Mr. Franklin nodded in agreement, “You may delay, but time will not.” The report recommends transitioning away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” the printer advised.
As the report’s title indicates, proper land use is critical in addressing this issue. Humans continue to expand the amount of land in “production mode” to supply our food and material goods. This means the natural areas – forests, jungles, undisturbed prairies and the like – are diminishing. But they are critical for soaking up and storing carbon and for keeping a balanced carbon cycle. We can’t afford to lose much more. “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water,” Ben cautioned.
Livestock production can be particularly problematic because feeding livestock requires a lot of land in comparison to the food calories it creates. Many of us love our burgers, steaks and chops. But each of us can help by moderating our meat consumption (especially red meat) and letting plants take a more central place on our plates. “Eat to live, don't live to eat,” Ben suggested.
Benji hadn’t realized how important farming and the ag industry is in stabilizing the climate. He was determined that his family farm would do its part by demonstrating best practices. “A good example is the best sermon,” the elder Franklin agreed adding, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Thanks for the good advice Ben! Because this is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.
That night he poured over a summary of the report but eventually his eyelids drooped, and Benji fell into a deep sleep. His dream world took him to a Colonial Era print shop where his distant relative, Benjamin Franklin, was setting type for the next edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac.
Benji chatted with the elder statesman and shared what he’d already learned. The report confirmed that the Earth’s climate is definitely being disrupted. There’s no time to lose in addressing that reality. Mr. Franklin nodded in agreement, “You may delay, but time will not.” The report recommends transitioning away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” the printer advised.
As the report’s title indicates, proper land use is critical in addressing this issue. Humans continue to expand the amount of land in “production mode” to supply our food and material goods. This means the natural areas – forests, jungles, undisturbed prairies and the like – are diminishing. But they are critical for soaking up and storing carbon and for keeping a balanced carbon cycle. We can’t afford to lose much more. “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water,” Ben cautioned.
Livestock production can be particularly problematic because feeding livestock requires a lot of land in comparison to the food calories it creates. Many of us love our burgers, steaks and chops. But each of us can help by moderating our meat consumption (especially red meat) and letting plants take a more central place on our plates. “Eat to live, don't live to eat,” Ben suggested.
Benji hadn’t realized how important farming and the ag industry is in stabilizing the climate. He was determined that his family farm would do its part by demonstrating best practices. “A good example is the best sermon,” the elder Franklin agreed adding, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Thanks for the good advice Ben! Because this is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.
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