Again, taking the corona crisis as an example, what we are doing now is trying different available antiviral drugs, convalescent plasma therapy and undertaking vaccine trials. In our hypothetical scenario with forest and climate change, the Klimawald (“Climate forest”) concept is like a combination of two methods: antiviral drugs and convalescent plasma therapy. Wherein the former is about using a certain combination of existing drugs to treat the disease, and, the latter involves transfusion of plasma from a COVID-19 recovered patient into an infected patient. Thereby, the antibodies present in the plasma of the recovered patient helps to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the infected patient. Similarly, in our climate forest, a species is selected to be planted for its ability to tolerate drought or the ability to enhance the resilience of the forest in future climatic conditions. We planted 11 species of conifers and broad-leaved trees; 7 of them are native; 4 come either from Southern Europe, the Mediterranean mountains or from North America.

Now, let us move on to the real world, where things are more complex and challenging. Just like it is not easy to convince people to adopt social distancing, it is not easy to bring people from diverse backgrounds and different interests for a common cause. “Why did we build Klimawald?”, “What was the need?” and “How far we have succeeded?” were some questions we asked ourselves. We acknowledge the responsibility of maintaining the beauty of this planet in a way that it was given to us. Centuries ago, Ludwig van Beethoven said, “How happy I am to be able to walk among the shrubs, the trees, the woods, the grass, and the rocks! For the woods, the trees and the rocks give man the resonance he needs.” We hope our future generations will be able to describe the beauty of forests as he did.

The project Klimawald began under the title “Carbon Offset Week” in which we – the initiators –  wanted to organize a planting campaign for people who wish to offset their carbon emissions. When the Office of Land, Forest, and Agriculture (AELF) and Hospitalstift willingly offered a hectare of land for plantation, the concept of “Carbon Offset Week” was revised. Now, the aim was not only to plant trees, but also to restore a damaged forest, and, therefore, with Dr. Gregor Aas and Dr. Birgit Thies we developed the concept of Klimawald (“Klima” meaning climate and “wald” meaning forest in German). We identified four major threats to German forests: low species diversity, long and intensive droughts, the velocity of climate change and the dispersal rate of trees. Klimawald model suggests thinning, planting diverse species, and selecting future-oriented species. We built Klimawald to acknowledge our carbon footprints, take responsibility for the impact of human-induced climate change and contribute to prepare forests for future scenarios.

Ecologist Eugene P Odum once said, “The future belongs, not to those who have the most, but to those who do the most with what they have”. In our case, we had one hectare of forest land which was converted from spruce-pine forest to mixed forest with the help of scientists, forestry practitioners, students, and citizens. Apart from the human resources, the financial resources for the project were covered through donations and support from our partners. The success of a project depends on how an action is followed up by another. In the case of Klimawald, the planting event in spring was followed by two watering events in summer. The average survival rate was about 90% at the end of August 2019.

What we learned from this project is that the knowledge can be translated into action when individual interests synergize. Klimawald also showed us a way to hold dialogue with different sections of our civil society. Some of our partners and supporters who had never worked together found common grounds to cooperate. The idea of Klimawald not only generated interest among the citizens of Bayreuth, but it has moved beyond its borders and motivated students from Höxter to develop their own Klimawald Höxter. It also led to the development of a similar project by our team members in South Korea. In the meantime, the Klimawald site has become a spot for excursion and environmental education. The project also stirred a debate on the model of climate forests. In the forthcoming year, we want to improve the project, build close networks and take further actions.

Overall, the experience of developing an idea of Carbon Offset Week into a Klimawald project was very enriching. According to a Korean proverb, “고생 끝에 낙이 온다 (gosaeng kkeute nagi onda)”, delights come at the end of hardship (English translation), and a delightful moment has arrived in the journey of Klimawald. Out of 160 projects in Germany, Klimawald is now nominated for the award “Blauer Kompass 2020” of the German Federal Environment Agency. Apart from three jury awards, there is an audience award for which the voting has already begun, and we are in the second spot as of April 15, 2020. Global Change Ecology (GCE) is an international study program and so is our team. The diversity of nationalities is a strength of GCE students. And to confront a global problem like COVID-19 or climate change, we need this strength!

We hope that the help and support received during the planting and the watering event will be showered on us again for the “Blauer Kompass 2020” competition. Klimawald was built with your participation and will stand the test of time with your participation. Because the story has just begun…

On this link, you click,

Klimawald you select,

While you press Abstimmen

Remember this simple request,

Same time again tomorrow,

On the same address,

You can vote for us,

Till 20 April.

For more information visit: https://en.klimawaldbayreuth.com/

Blauer Kompass 2020: www.uba.de/tatenbank

(written by: Nikunj Pathak on behalf of Kun Ro, Ahram Chae, Theresa Landwehr, Steffen Schwardmann and the Klimawald team)

References: https://www.bmz.de/en/publications/topics/climate/Materialie283_forest_action_plan.pdf

The post From Carbon Offset Week to COVID-19: The story of Klimawald appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Tree plantation: 25-27 April 2019

Back to the 17th century, when the mining industry in Saxony was threatened by the scarcity of forests, Hans Carl von Carlowitz formulated principles for sustainable forestry. In his work Sylvicultura Oeconomica oder naturmäßige Anweisung zur wilden Baum-Zucht (Sylvicultura Oeconomica or the Instructions for Wild Tree Cultivation) he coined the term ‘sustainability’ or “Nachhaltigkeit” (in German) and emphasized on the need of planned reforestation projects. Today our world is facing a serious threat from climate change. In the year 2018, we experienced the warmest summer in Germany in recent times. According to the National Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetter Dienst, DWD), the temperature in June 2018 was 2.4°C higher than the average temperature between 1961-1990. There is enough evidence to say that the increase in global temperatures is caused by anthropogenic Green House Gas emissions (GHGs).

After energy and industry, the transport sector is the third largest contributor to GHG emissions in Germany and Europe. The overall emissions from the transport sector in Europe have increased by 3%, the emissions from international aviation have increased by 1.5 % in 2017 (EEA). In our study program, Global Change Ecology (GCE) students come from many countries. The present cohort of GCE students represents four major continents namely Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. Due to the diversity of study program, and its unique course structure, we (students) travel for conferences, internships, science schools, master thesis, and visit our family in home countries. Through these activities, we end up releasing tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To check this, we decided to do a carbon footprint calculation for our friend Kun. In the year 2017-18, he traveled between South Korea, Germany, and Finland and this travel itinerary produced 3.07-ton CO₂ equivalents in the atmosphere. Like Kun, many of us travel in Germany, Europe or abroad for work and studies. This means we are emitting more GHGs in the atmosphere.

So, “What shall we do now? How can we offset our carbon emissions?”, we asked ourselves. After looking for all possible mitigation options we thought why not do something here in Bayreuth, why not plant some trees for offsetting our emissions. Well, we know that on an average, a tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and sequester about 1 ton of carbon dioxide by the time it ages 40 (Tree fact NC State University). Furthermore, forest ecosystems provide valuable ecosystem services, as they prevent erosion, absorb solar radiations and reduce global warming. In addition, they provide habitat for birds, insects, animals, and humans. But the question was how, when and where to plant trees. We pitched our idea to Dr. Birgit Thies (BayCEER) and Dr. Gregor Aas (Ökologische Botanischer Garten, ÖBG). They were overwhelmingly positive about our idea. Together we prepared a proposal and decided to approach the  “Amt für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten” (AELF) and the “Stadtförsterei Bayreuth”. The officials from AELF and Stadtförsterei liked our proposal and provided 1-hectar (ha) land for the project.  In the past, this forest land has suffered from drought, heat, and bark beetles. Therefore, we decided to reforest this land. And thereby the Klimawald Bayreuth was born.

We are aware of the ongoing climate change, and the rising mean annual temperatures which are putting our forest ecosystems under stress. Our project Klimawald Bayreuth will build a climate resilient forest – a forest for future climate. This forest will be capable of tolerating at least 2°C warming condition. For this reason, we decided to plant a mixture of native and non-native trees. Around 4700 trees belonging to 10 different species will be planted in the first leg of the project, from April 25-27, 2019. The second plantation drive will be organized in spring next year. Based on soil, light and climatic conditions long-term forest management plan for maintenance of the site is being prepared. Moreover, the project site is fenced for preventing any interference from surrounding wildlife. Through this project, we want to mitigate climate change, reduce our emissions and bring a positive change in society.

At present, our target is to mobilize approx. 180 participants working in 9 groups – 3 groups per day with each having 20 participants. The planting will take place from 25 – 27 April 2019. In the interest of sustainability, and for a happy and green future, we invite university students, researchers, lecturers, high school students, and citizens to join our efforts.

Together we will create a forest of the future!

Where birds will sing,
Bees will fly,
Soil will be steady,
And trees grow high…

To join our efforts in planting trees, please register at https://www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/klimawald/?lang=en

For more information visit our website: https://www.klimawaldbayreuth.com/

The project is supervised by Dr. Birgit Thies (BayCEER) and Dr. Gregor Aas (ÖBG) with support from AELF and Stadtforestei Bayreuth. We are thankful to our partners Friends of GCE e.V., Summer in the City e.V., KHG Bayreuth, Forum 1.5 and BcG Alumni e.V.

References

Pan, Y., Birdsey, R. A., Fang, J., Houghton, R., Kauppi, P. E., Kurz, W. A., … & Ciais, P. (2011). A large and persistent carbon sink in the world’s forests. Science, 333(6045), 988-993.

http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/

https://knoema.com/atlas/Germany/CO2-emissions-per-capita

Title Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash

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“Agroecology is a key tool in the transition to sustainable food.”

FAO

“The future of agriculture is not input-intensive but knowledge-intensive. We need the integrated approach that agroecology can offer.”

José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General

On November 25^th, 2018, Agriculture Day was celebrated at the United Nation Conference on Biodiversity COP-14 in Sharm El Sheikh. Under theme of Agriculture Day various sessions were organized and one such session was about ‘Agro-ecological approaches and biodiversity-friendly practices to increase productivity ‘. The session was moderated by Emile Frison from IPES-Food and included panelists from Government of France and Bolivia, Friends of the Earth International, Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE) and Forest Peoples Program (FPP). The session began with panel members presenting initiatives taken by their respective governments and organizations. Mr. Jean Lanotte, from the Government of France (Ministère de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation) highlighted his government’s agroecology policy which aims at reducing use of pesticides, promoting agroforestry and organic agriculture, conducting training of farmers and building an Agriculture Observatory of Biodiversity. Georgina Catacora-Vargas from Government of Bolivia said her country has regulatory framework on agroecology since 2006 and current focus is on education and the inclusion of the tourism sector for the adaptation of the agroecology law. Other panel members mainly from civil society organisations emphasized on connecting agriculture to local culture and moving political systems from large agricultural systems and investing more in agroecology.

“Agroecology offers a unique approach to meeting the needs of future generations while ensuring no one is left behind.”

FAO

From the presentations, reports and facts presented during this session, I learned that agroecological approaches are bottom-up and territorial processes, that can deliver contextualized solutions to local problems. Agroecological systems works on maximizing synergies between different components (soil, water, plants, animals, livestock’s, trees, human resource) of agriculture for achieving greater resource use efficiency and resilience. The knowledge of agroecology can transform food and agricultural systems, addressing the root causes of problems in an integrated way and providing holistic and long-term solutions. For instance, the farmers in Netherlands have developed a mechanism of exchanging their live stock produce for green manure. The grass/clover mixture is sheared several times a year by a local organic livestock farmer in exchange for the manure. Moreover, these farmers do not use pesticides, ploughing is done with a special eco-plough and weed management is done by use of machinery only in the early stages of crop growth. The growing innovations in agroecology are useful in conservation of above and below ground biodiversity. Agriculture is clearly a crucial sector to achieve the sustainable use and the conservation of biological diversity and agroecological approaches are therefore critical in implementation of post 2020 framework.

References:

• Dalgaard, Tommy, and Nicholas Hutchings, John Porter. “Agroecology, Scaling and Interdisciplinarity.” Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 100(2003): 39-51.
• Rio Convention Bulletin 26 November 2018 Vol. 200 No. 47
• FAO’s work on Agroecology A pathway to achieve SDGs
• FAO. Agroecology Knowledge Hub. Available at: http://www.fao.org/agroecology/en/

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Emily was cleaning bicycle when her father arrived. “Please turn off the tap Emily you don’t need this amount of water for cleaning”, he requested.

“Dad we have plenty of water in the pipe”, Esther replied sweetly.

“Not always my dear, some cities in the world don’t have enough water for drinking or cleaning bicycle like this”, he explained. “Really? Where in the world is there less water?” she asked.

“Let me tell you a story“- her father said.

“I always like your stories dad please start”, girl said impatiently.  “Please turn off the tap”, he said and started..

Terry Burner the owner of several Real Estate business and Car Washing facilities in Southern California was enjoying his Easter Holidays in Barcelona. He was a man who had inherited his grandfather’s small garage and had doubled the profit over the past decade. Known for his excellent money-making schemes, Terry was walking around the beach in his polo hotel t-shirt, when he saw a man in his mid-thirties coming towards him.

“You seem like a rich man”, the man prompted.

“Certainly I am”, Terry affirmed.

“If you don’t mind, can I get some water”, he asked.

“Yes, why not, please have it”, Terry offered his half filled metal bottle.

While the young man was fulfilling his metabolic needs Terry was staring at him in surprise.

The man finished and said, “Do you know Cape Town is getting dry?”.

Terry exclaimed, “What? I didn’t know. I am not following Africa lately”.

“You must know the story, rich guy”, the man replied.

The young man – who looked like a control freak – began: “The population of Cape Town in South Africa has roughly doubled in the last two decades whereas its water resources have increased very slowly. The city experienced indeed dry days in the past. But now, scientists believe climate change has intensified the recently experienced drought events, thus resulting in water shortage”. With this the young man stopped and asked: “What do you think Sir?

“I think Climate Change may be a reason for the drought events,  but the ignorance of the Cape Town City administration cannot be overruled. They could have prepared better infrastructure in fighting drought”, Terry responded.

“You are reasonably correct sir. Six dams were completely filled in 2014 and city administration assumed  future rainfall pattern would resemble past. However, three straight years of drought changed everything. No one in the government anticipated this”, said the man.

“But my dear friend” – inquired Terry – “Cape Town authorities could learn from California where $7.5 billion dollar water bond was approved with 67 percent vote. Century old laws were replaced and water usage was monitored”.

“I hope they learn from experience in California” – replied the man – “but do you think we are underestimating the impacts of climate change with a situation like this? Researchers from University of Cape Town acknowledged they had never expected such a rapid impact of climate change. What is your take on this?” the man asked Terry.

“Let me be very blunt here”, Terry said looking at him. “Climate Change is affecting all of us but we can’t simply blame all problems on it”

“For instance – said Terry – when I inherited my family business, it was running in debt. So I decided to change the system by creating a new customer base and by diversifying our spending from garage to car washing and real estate. I promoted also the use of technology and adopted efficient trade practices”.

“What do you mean by technology and efficient trade practices?” asked the man.

“Well, about 60% of my car washing facilities and other offices use treated wastewater, all our toilets are flushed with gray water and we reward employees for their water saving efforts. These are some initiatives, I assume people in other parts of the world – and Cape Town officials – are also doing this”, Terry pointed.

“Well, Cape Towners have successfully pushed Day Zero by reducing water consumption by 60%: people showered in 90 seconds avoided wastage of water, reused gray water. Moreover, Cape Town officials cut irrigation supply, constructed water collection points and rigorously worked for a water saving campaign”, explained the man.

“What is Day Zero? And I am sorry, are you a Cape Towner ?” Terry asked. “You seem to be very concerned about the city!”.

The young man replied: “Day Zero is when the city reservoir reaches 13.5 % of its total capacity, which means authorities have to cut off water supply to three quarters of population.”

Before the man could elaborate further, Terry’s phone beeped. Terry with open eyes said “I am afraid I have a skype call now. I have to go, but it was nice meeting you Mr…?

“Mr. Rigo Flech”, the young man answered.

They shook hands. Rigo added “And the answer to your last question is Yes, I am a Cape Towner and once I owned a car washing facility and a small motel in Cape Town”.

After having said this, the young man walked away. In some minutes Terry was back in hotel thinking about Rigo.

Next morning near an old Heritage garden of Barcelona, Terry saw a beautiful fountain but what stuck him was a small bird showering in water. Remembering the young Rigo he smiled and mumbled: “You have have left me numb Cape Town bird Rigo”.

“What did he do after?”, Emily interrupted.

“He googled “Cape Town drought”, dad smiled and said.

“Can we avert a crisis like this or people keep migrating from there?”, Emily inquired.

“Hope Terry has a solution”, he grinned.

“I got my answer Dad, not wasting water anymore”, she admitted.

“Every year thousands of bird migrate in search of food and nesting. While we may know the science but there is a always a story. Rigo was one of those birds who left Cape Town for a better life”. You can be next..

(Terry Burner, Rigo Fletch, and Emily are fictional characters and all the facts provided in the story are borrowed from articles listed.)

References

• https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/15/how-the-drought-changed-california-forever/
• https://www.npr.org/2016/03/18/469799456/in-california-dealing-with-a-drought-and-preparing-for-a-flood
• https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/cape-town-running-out-of-water-drought-taps-shutoff-other-cities/
• www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cape-town-drought-water-shortage-luxury-five-star-hotels-day-zero-laundry-showers-toilet-flush-pool-a8191966.html
• https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/why-april-rainfall-is-key-to-stave-off-cape-towns-day-zero-20180409
• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-drought/cape-town-day-zero-pushed-back-to-2019-as-dams-fill-up-in-south-africa-idUSKCN1HA1LN

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“Remember to look up at the stars. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem there is always something you can do and succeed at.”

Stephen Hawking

Today, one of the most brilliant minds of our time passed away: Professor Stephen Hawking died this morning at the age of 76.

GCE student Nikunj Pathak penned a poem to honor this extraordinary and inspiring man.

A tribute to  Stephan Hawking

He asked how and why,
What is hidden in the sky,
Who are the stars so bright,
Why they glitter in the night,

 

From the theory of Big Bang,
How universe formed and sank,
Explaining math physic rule,
Little Einstein of the school,

 

When the body paralyze,
Doctors feel he won’t survive,
Ignoring physical bind,
He romanced with science,

 

In a brief history of time,
He enlightened many minds,
From his radiations on the black hole,
Science and theories were retold,
He asked how and why,

What is hidden in the sky…

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