1st Global Congress on Best Regenerative Agricultural Practices to Reverse the Climate Emergency & Pandemics

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Campus of Catholic University of America

Washington, DC 

May 15-18, 2023

 

 BACKGROUND 

 

The world is experiencing simultaneously two fundamental, existential emergencies – Climate Change and a Pandemic. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in both emergencies.. Fortunately, solutions to both these emergencies can be found by modifying our agricultural Production and Postharvest practices.

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According to the UN, “Climate Change due to Global Warming is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment.” We MUST identify effective means to combat this climate emergency and implement them immediately.

 

There is a growing consensus globally that by implementing Regenerative Agricultural practices and Reducing Food Waste we can substantially reduce the carbon footprint imposed by agriculture. AND, at the same time, sequester large amounts of the carbon in CO2 from the atmosphere into the soil. This double punch, if put into practice globally, promises to immediately and substantially mitigate the disastrous impact of climate change. 

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The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) warns of “a looming food crisis,” stating that the current pandemic could have a devastating impact on global hunger and poverty – especially on the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Global poverty is projected to increase for the first time since 1998, reversing decades of global progress against hunger and malnutrition.

 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has highlighted how our present factory animal farms provide “breeding grounds” for the development and multiplication of exotic viruses that may infect humans. This pandemic has also  exposed the fragility of our present industrial food supply system that is dominated by major food companies. A need exists to strengthen smallholder farmers and local food supply systems.

 

Regenerative Agriculture and Food Waste Reduction through an enhanced cold chain, if implemented globally, will reduce future pandemics while building more resiliency to pandemics into agriculture and food supply systems in the future. At the same time proven Regenerative Agriculture Practices, if adopted globally, can reverse the climate emergency.

 

 PURPOSE OF THE CONGRESS 

 

The purpose of this congress is to convene the world’s leading scientists, farmers, students, policymakers, administrators, funders, and businesses that are knowledgeable on the relationship of agriculture to climate change and global  pandemics plus the role that Regenerative Agriculture and Cold Chain Postharvest Management can play in reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. Leading practitioners of regenerative agriculture and food waste management globally will showcase their best practices at the congress. Through sharing this collective knowledge, leading delegates at the Congress will issue a “communique” setting forth an action plan for policymakers worldwide. It will state Best Regenerative and Cold Chain Management Agricultural Practices globally to reverse the world's climate and pandemic emergencies. 

 

The congress will present clear justification to greatly accelerate implementation of Best Regenerative Agriculture and Food Waste Management Practices globally. The interaction of delegates at the congress will provide opportunities for the formation of  new alliances and communication networks that will amplify the fields of Regenerative Agriculture and Food Cold Chain Management while accelerating their growth and application.

 

Publicity generated by this Congress will expand global awareness of the key role that agriculture can play in mitigating the damage imposed by global warming and pandemics.

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Formal organizations and informal relationships resulting from this Congress will accelerate existing momentum and growth of Regenerative Agriculture and Postharvest Cold Chain Management to reduce food waste.

 COOL THE PLANET . FEED THE WORLD 

 

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 The Power of Regenerative Food and Farming to Save the Planet 

 

 

 

“If you’ve never heard about the amazing potential of regenerative agriculture and land use practices to naturally sequester a critical mass of CO2 in the soil and forests, you’re not alone. One of the best-kept secrets in the world today is that the solution to global warming and the climate crisis (as well as poverty and deteriorating public health) lies right under our feet, and at the end of our knives and forks."

 

 

 - Ronnie Cummins International Director of the OCA and Regeneration International

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