In an era of environmental consciousness and heightened awareness of the need to combat climate change, organic farming has emerged as a possible hope. Given that it’s currently Organic September, we thought it was a great time to shout about why organic farming is so important.

The ethical and ecological advantages of organic farming practices have been gaining momentum over the years, making them a popular choice among environmentally conscious consumers. But we need to get things mainstream. We’ve been organic since day one, so here we delve into why organic farming is climate-friendly, exploring how it helps reduce emissions, pollution, and carbon footprint while making our soils and ecosystems more resilient to climate change.

It’s an exciting time for emerging research too, which is finally underpinning what organic farmers have believed since the beginning. Individuals like Tim Spector are leading the way in sharing the message about the importance of organic farming and organic food. It’s becoming more and more evident that it’s not just important for the climate, but for our health too.

Reducing emissions and energy use

Organic farming's climate-friendly nature starts with its lower carbon footprint. Unlike conventional agriculture, which often relies heavily on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides derived from fossil fuels, organic farming employs more sustainable practices. By eschewing these energy-intensive inputs, organic farms help reduce carbon emissions.

Moreover, organic farming typically utilises practices like crop rotation and cover cropping, which improve soil health and sequester carbon, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect. These techniques not only reduce emissions but also require less energy compared to the production and application of chemical inputs, making organic farming a more energy-efficient choice.

Importantly, and underpinned by an important Soil Association campaign, nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilisers are overlooked in terms of how they contribute to climate change. The creation of synthetic fertilisers messed up the previously working nitrogen cycle. We won’t achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions unless we achieve net-zero nitrogen, and then will require organic farming. Our approach to climate change needs to incorporate many different elements, but our approach to farming is crucial.

Mitigating pollution in soils and waterways

Another often-overlooked aspect of organic farming's climate-friendliness is its role in preserving the integrity of our soils and waterways. Conventional agriculture frequently involves the use of synthetic chemicals that can leach into the soil, contaminating it and eventually seeping into water bodies. This pollution poses a significant threat to the environment and human health.

Organic farming, on the other hand, relies on natural fertilisers like compost and manure, which enrich the soil without harming it. By avoiding chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic farms reduce the risk of soil and water pollution, safeguarding vital ecosystems and aquatic life.

Capturing and storing carbon

Organic farming's positive impact on carbon capture and storage cannot be overstated. Healthy soils are incredible carbon sinks, capable of sequestering vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Organic farming practices, such as minimal tillage and cover cropping, promote soil health and enhance its ability to store carbon. This not only helps reduce the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere but also improves soil structure, making it more resilient to erosion and better at retaining water.

The carbon stored in organic soils not only mitigates climate change but also contributes to soil fertility and crop productivity. It's a win-win situation that organic farming offers, promoting sustainability and climate-friendliness hand in hand.

When we look at the data, it’s quite staggering. Organic farmland stores, on average, 3.5 times more carbon than non-organic farmland. Organic farmland does this by drawing carbon dioxide into plants and trees as well as other photosynthesising organisms. Healthy soils, only possible through organic farming, are vitally important in the war on climate change.

Boosting resilience to climate change

As the effects of climate change become increasingly pronounced, it's crucial to adopt farming practices that help our ecosystems adapt and become more resilient. Organic farming methods, with their focus on biodiversity and soil health, inherently contribute to ecosystem resilience.

By cultivating diverse crops and avoiding monoculture farming, organic agriculture is better equipped to withstand extreme weather events and pest outbreaks, which are expected to become more frequent due to climate change. Additionally, organic farms promote biodiversity by providing habitat for a wide range of plants and animals, most notably pollinators. This increased biodiversity strengthens ecosystems, making them more adaptable to the changing climate.

It’s not just the climate, it’s your health too

While the climate-friendly aspects of organic farming are emerging as very clear, it's important to note that the benefits don't stop there. Organic foods, produced without synthetic pesticides and herbicides, are healthier for consumers. These products are less likely to contain pesticide residues, making them safer to eat. We do not yet fully understand the long term effects of these chemicals on the human body.

Organic foods are also typically free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which some studies suggest may have health risks (albeit currently unknown).

There’s more and more research emerging about this. For example, halving air pollutants from farming could prevent 52,000 deaths each year in Europe alone. Tim Spector’s work is particularly interesting here. Looking at a large meta-analysis, he recently revealed that organic food, on average has 30-40% more polyphenols and nutrients. It’s thought that this is due to plants not needing to manufacture their natural defence chemicals when insecticides and chemical fertilisers are used.

The part you play

In a world grappling with the consequences of climate change, the importance of sustainable and climate-friendly practices cannot be overstated. Buying organic products from trusted sources, like The Coconut Company, is an example of how agriculture can be part of the solution.

As research continues to highlight the merits of organic farming, it's clear that this eco-conscious approach is not just a trend but a vital strategy in our fight against climate change. By choosing organic products, consumers not only support sustainable agriculture but also contribute to a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come. And organic food is better for you too!