· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Conversation or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: New research in South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges shows that actions like revegetation by farmers not only enhance biodiversity but also store carbon
• However, Australia’s current carbon market does not recognize this type of carbon gain, indicating a gap in the market's design
🔭 The context: The study focused on the BushBids scheme, where farmers undertook activities like reducing grazing and controlling weeds
• These activities, if linked to carbon markets, could finance biodiversity conservation, demonstrating that carbon storage and biodiversity protection can be synergistic
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This research underscores the potential of land use practices in tackling both climate change and biodiversity loss
• Properly designed market-based schemes can incentivize farmers to restore ecosystems while also contributing to carbon sequestration, offering a dual benefit for environmental sustainability
⏭️ What's next: The findings suggest that adjustments in market mechanisms, like Australia's carbon market and the upcoming Nature Repair Market, could facilitate better integration of biodiversity and carbon sequestration goals
📈 One stat: The study found that the additional carbon stored in woodlands could pay all, or a substantial proportion, of the cost of restoring degraded native vegetation
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