Beer, Soil, and Climate Change
Do you know what ASBC stands for? If you answered American Society of Brewing Chemists, you’re correct. That organization appears in the top four Google search results for “ASBC.” The chemists, or the folks they hired to design their website, seem to be on top of search engine optimization.
Although I enjoy a good microbrew, I think I’ll skip upcoming ASBC webinars on the science of beer. The ASBC that is relevant for me and for you (my readers) is the American Sustainable Business Council. This ASBC is devoted to promoting triple bottom line (3P) business practices, emphasizing the importance of not only Profit but People and Planet when making business decisions.
The advocacy arm argues for policy change at both the federal and state levels. Issues ranging from regulating ingredients in consumer products to encouraging fair employment practices. ASBC asks its members to contact their senators and representatives and express support for certain bills or encourage voting against others.
Individual ASBC membership is free, so I encourage anyone who supports responsible business to join. Companies that want to take a stand can apply for a paid membership. My business, JLFG Communications, is a bronze member, and I feature the ASBC membership badge on my website footer.
ASBC runs webinars. They aren’t usually about beer. Last week I attended one about soil health that featured an easy way for individuals to act on climate change.
In short, soil degradation is linked to climate change. Commercial fertilizers and pesticides draw nutrients out of the soil. These chemicals contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, specifically increasing nitrous oxide, one of the greenhouse gases. Monoculture—planting a single crop year after year—is another part of the problem.
The solution lies in regenerative agriculture, which is a return to pre-industrial practices. Regenerative practices include replacing synthetic chemicals with mulch and compost, planting cover crops, rotating crops, and much more.
The result is healthy soil with a proper balance of nutrients in which microbes can thrive. These microbes help restore carbon levels in the soil and keep the carbon underground where it belongs.
The whole system is complex and beyond my ability to explain in a blog post. If you want to learn more, you can read the Rodale Institute white paper, “Regenerative Agriculture and the Soil Carbon Solution.”
Although regenerative agriculture is complex, it is easy to be part of the solution.
The Carbon Underground, a nonprofit organization working to reverse climate change through soil restoration, just started a new program. Adopt-a-meter launched on Mothers’ Day 2021 with the message of protecting Mother Earth. For $5 per meter, you can support healthy soil and help save the planet.
The funds go to farmers—particularly women—around the world who are engaged in regenerative agriculture. Supporting their work allows them to restore more acres of agricultural land. The farmers produce healthy food for their communities while reducing the global carbon footprint.
By the way, beer brewers rely on crops—barley and hops—to make their products. I think that the brewing chemists would approve of the adopt-a-meter program. Cheers!