Welcome back to Drop #64. In our previous exploration #63, we talked about how cutting-edge research reveals the regenerative power of forests and small water cycles in cooling the planet. We discussed three pivotal studies: the role of forests in mitigating pollutant transport, advancements in lidar technology for understanding cloud dynamics, and AI-driven models that enhance our comprehension of complex climate interactions.
Building on these insights, today we delve into a fundamental lesson taught early on by our mothers: "Put it back where you took it from." This simple yet profound principle is critical in restoring ecological balance and combating the Polycrisis.
"Put everything back where you took it from."
A couple of days ago, I had an enlightening conversation with Rabia Betul Gurel Mohibali, who sparked the inspiration for this drop as she reminisced about our mothers' lessons. A member of Catalyst 2030 and a passionate advocate for zero waste and sustainable communities, Rabia is a social entrepreneur whose work deeply reflects the ethos of returning to balance. From leading projects that transform waste into valuable resources to developing eco-friendly products, Rabia's initiatives promote a circular economy that mirrors the natural cycles we were taught to respect as children.
From drought and flood cycles to desertified landscapes and to depleted rivers, industrial-scale resource extraction to pollution, these are all symptoms of our failure to "put things back." Restoring resources to their origins could rebalance ecosystems and significantly cool our planet.
From Theory to Practice: Embracing Cyclic Resource Management
Our journey towards amendment begins with embracing cyclic resource management, which is deeply rooted in permaculture principles. This method promotes sustainability by ensuring every element serves multiple purposes, with outputs from one process feeding into another, much like the natural cycles we observe.
1. Successful Applications of Resource Return Principles
Let us examine some tangible successes of this principle in action across different environments. These cases not only reinforce the principle but also demonstrate its wide-ranging benefits:
i. Loess Plateau, China: Integrated Watershed Management
Project Overview: The Loess Plateau restoration involved reversing desertification and significantly improving hydrology through soil conservation, water management, and afforestation.
Technique and Impact: Integrated watershed management was pivotal. Over two decades, these practices increased agricultural productivity, raised local incomes, and restored depleted soils. A study highlighted that sediment runoff decreased by over 100 million tons annually, significantly enhancing soil fertility and reducing flood risks (T. Wang, 2020).
ii. Stockholm Biochar Project, Sweden: Urban Carbon Negative Initiative
The Stockholm Biochar Project , also called stockholm tree pits, was initiated as part of an effort to create a greener city and tackle climate change. The project involves converting garden and park waste into biochar, which is then used to enrich urban soils. This not only improves soil health and increases greenery but also sequesters carbon, contributing to the city's climate goals
Technique and Impact: The process of pyrolysis is used to transform organic waste into biochar, a stable form of carbon that can remain in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, effectively locking away carbon dioxide. This biochar is then mixed with compost and used to improve the fertility and water retention capacity of urban soils. The project has not only helped in carbon sequestration but also promoted urban agriculture and green space development. A pilot plant was successful enough that the city has moved forward with a full-scale facility, aiming to treat thousands of tonnes of organic waste annually, demonstrating a scalable model of urban waste management and carbon sequestration (Stockholm Biochar Project, 2018).
iii. Urban Resource Cycling: Freiburg, Germany: Sustainable Urban Planning
Freiburg is known for its advanced waste and water management systems, which integrate green infrastructure like green roofs and rain gardens.
Technique and Impact: The city's use of sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure mimics natural processes, effectively reclaiming and repurposing resources within the urban environment. This approach has reduced environmental impacts and enhanced the city's economic and social well-being (C. Tisdell, 2009).
iv. São Paulo Water Reuse Project, Brazil: Water Reclamation
Faced with chronic water shortages, São Paulo implemented one of Latin America's largest water reuse programs, utilizing advanced filtration and treatment technologies.
Technique and Impact: Water reclamation techniques transformed wastewater into a vital resource, conserving freshwater and reducing the ecological footprint. This project showcases how megacities can adapt to water scarcity and enhance urban sustainability (J. Cain et al., 1999).
v. Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary, USA: Natural Water Treatment through Constructed Wetlands
The city of Arcata, California, has developed an innovative wastewater treatment system that integrates constructed wetlands into its process. This system not only treats sewage effectively but also provides a thriving habitat for wildlife and a recreational area for the community.
Technique and Impact: The Arcata treatment system uses a series of oxidation ponds, treatment wetlands, and enhancement marshes that mimic natural processes to purify wastewater. These wetlands support a diverse range of plant and animal life while filtering out pollutants from the water through biological activity. As water moves through the wetlands, microorganisms and plants absorb nutrients and break down contaminants. The system has proven effective in improving water quality before it is discharged into local water bodies or used for irrigation. Additionally, this approach has transformed the area into a wildlife sanctuary, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, thereby fostering environmental education and community engagement. The project demonstrates how wastewater treatment can be combined with ecosystem restoration and public use (Gearheart, R. A., & Williams, J. B. (2005)), Ewel, K. C. (2001). "Natural systems for wastewater treatment: A case study of the Arcata marsh enhancement wetlands."
2. Exploring Effective Techniques
Building on these successful applications, let’s dive deeper into the specific techniques that underpin such achievements, providing practical insights into how these principles can be effectively implemented:
Integrated Watershed Management: This approach, used effectively in the Loess Plateau, combines several strategies, including soil conservation, water management, and afforestation, to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Waste Management: As Stockholm & Freiburg shows, incorporating green infrastructure like rain gardens and green roofs alongside advanced waste management practices helps manage urban ecosystems sustainably.
Water Reclamation: The technique applied in Arcata and São Paulo, where advanced treatment processes recycle wastewater, is vital for megacities facing water scarcity, turning an underutilized resource into a renewable asset.
Constructed Wetlands for Waste Management: Arcata Wastewawter treatement employs this, Vymazal (2013) reported in Ecological Engineering that constructed wetlands effectively remove up to 90% of nutrients and heavy metals from wastewater, proving their efficacy in pollution control (Vymazal, 2013).
Biochar Application, Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced from organic materials and used as a soil amendment to improve soil health and sequester carbon. Stockholm City successfully showcased it. Furthermore, Jeffery et al. (2017) in Soil Biology and Biochemistry demonstrated that biochar application enhances soil fertility and increases crop yields by improving soil structure and nutrient availability (Jeffery et al., 2017).
Further Exploration of Groundbreaking Techniques
In addition to the previously mentioned environmental management practices, here are more innovative techniques supported by empirical evidence:
i. Holistic Management
A study by Teague et al. (2016) in the Journal of Environmental Management found that holistic planned grazing improved soil health and carbon sequestration compared to conventional grazing methods, demonstrating enhanced ecosystem services (Teague et al., 2016).
ii. Syntropic Farming
Research indicates that syntropic farming systems can increase organic matter content and biodiversity significantly within a few years, supporting crop yields and ecosystem health (Smith et al., 2018).
iii. Borewell Recharging
Studies in India have shown that borewell recharging can enhance groundwater levels by over 50%, crucial for sustaining water supply in arid regions (Kumar et al., 2017).
iv. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs)
Dunnett et al. (2012) found that SUDs significantly reduce urban runoff and improve water quality, enhancing urban landscapes while managing stormwater (Dunnett et al., 2012).
Additional techniques include:
v. Keyline Design
Keyline design is a landscape approach that enhances water retention and distribution across a terrain. It has been shown to improve water infiltration and soil fertility, making it effective in arid regions. Yeomans (2008) highlights increased agricultural productivity and water efficiency in areas where keyline design is implemented (Yeomans, 2008).
vi. Zai Farming
Zai farming involves creating small pits to concentrate water and nutrients for crop cultivation, often used in dry regions. Zai pits have been shown to double crop yields in semi-arid regions by improving water and nutrient use efficiency (Roose et al., 1999).
vii. Check Dams
Check dams are small barriers built across the direction of water flow on minor channels. These structures counter erosion by reducing water flow velocity and enhancing sedimentation. Studies have shown that check dams restore degraded lands and enhance groundwater recharge in hilly terrains (Singh et al., 2010).
These techniques showcase the wide array of sustainable resource management approaches available. Each method offers a unique contribution to restoring ecological balance and maximizing resource efficiency. Through the implementation of these strategies, along with many other innovative methods, communities across the globe can leverage the power of nature to restore and revitalize their environments.
Looking Ahead: Questions for Future Exploration
As we continue to explore and implement these groundbreaking techniques, several questions arise that could shape our future discussions:
Could road crossings be adapted into infiltration areas using mesh-like structures to direct water to underground tanks, ensuring that sewage does not mix with this water? Could this water then be used to irrigate green belts where a reed bed mix in gravel and potting mixes would further filter the water, and shade-providing trees like bamboos and willows planted to reduce the urban heat island effect while also acting as natural purifiers for water and air?
Considering Nigel Dunnett's Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs), could a low-cost version be implemented that does not involve congesting roads, such as creating a shaded canopy over existing roads using giant bamboo? What sacrifices might densely populated cities like Karachi have to make to accommodate bamboo planting, and what would the infrastructure costs entail?
Can unpowered technology bridge the gap in water management by collecting water at appropriate crossings, using roads that naturally act as water channels in cities, then pumping this stored water to places outside the city to create natural ecosystems tailored to the city's specific pollutants?
What impact might such ecosystems have on air quality, and could they contribute to the formation of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs)-based water droplets (cloud condensation nuclei) instead of relying on pollution particles, which can lead to higher cloud systems and exacerbate the drought-famine cycle? Would the plants not foster a more balanced small water cycle with frequent, low-intensity rains, which could be more easily managed by city drainage systems and stored, while also mitigating the urban heat island effect?
How can urban planning be adjusted to prioritize green spaces in cities experiencing rapid growth and development?
What are the implications of vertical gardening and rooftop gardens for urban biodiversity and building cooling?
Can the reintroduction of native species into urban areas play a role in enhancing urban biodiversity and ecological balance?
How can local governments incentivize businesses and developers to incorporate sustainable and nature-based solutions in urban design?
What are some innovative ways to integrate water bodies like ponds and streams in urban parks to enhance natural water cycles and support local wildlife?
How might community-led initiatives be structured to manage and maintain urban green spaces sustainably?
What role can technology play in monitoring and enhancing the effectiveness of green infrastructure in cities?
How can cities adapt to changing climate conditions through dynamic and resilient urban planning that includes natural solutions?
What are the psychological and social benefits of increasing green spaces in urban environments, and how can these be maximized for community well-being?
These questions invite us to think critically about our approaches and the potential for scalable solutions that respect both the environment and urban dynamics. I look forward to exploring these ideas further in my upcoming drops, engaging with you, our community, to pioneer solutions that create sustainable and livable cities for all.
Thank you for your time,
This is brilliant. National focus by government is required in this direction to save Mother Earth.
I wish the contents are implemented in my country.