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Green the Desert podcast

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We need cows & new policy to reverse desertification

Allan Savory

Allan Savory talks about his method for bringing life back to the desert using animals, especially large plant-eating ones. He strongly believes that cows and other livestock are not just part of the solution, but THE solution.

According to Savory, the decline of biodiversity, desertification, and climate change are all linked, and conventional methods like planting trees or using machines won't cut it. He stresses the importance of looking at land management as a whole, taking into account the culture, economy, and needs of the local community.

Savory also discusses the shortcomings of institutions and the necessity of involving citizens in policy-making. He believes that even if his method fails, the cost of trying it is minimal, but if successful, it could save countless lives and businesses.

Savory underscores the role of agriculture in addressing global issues and the importance of using animals to reverse desertification. He explains that his approach draws from military management principles and highlights the need to break down complex problems into manageable parts.

He also debunks the idea that veganism is the ultimate solution to environmental and ethical issues, emphasizing the need to consider the bigger picture and the long-term sustainability of the environment. However, veganism can be a valid choice in climates that are humid enough.

Key takeaways

    * Cows and other large herbivores are not just part of the solution to desertification, they are the solution.

    * The loss of biodiversity, desertification, and climate change are interconnected and must be addressed holistically.

    * Traditional methods like planting trees or using machines cannot solve the problems of desertification and climate change.

    * Managing land requires considering the culture, economy, and needs of the local people.

    * Institutions often fail to address the root causes of environmental problems, and citizen involvement is crucial in developing effective policies. If Allan Savory's holistic management approach is wrong, the cost of trying it is minimal, but if he is right, it could save billions of lives and businesses.

    * Agriculture is the basis of everything, and until it becomes sustainable, no other industry can be sustainable.

    * Using animals as a tool is essential to reverse desertification and regenerate the land.

    * Complex problems should be broken down into manageable segments to facilitate effective decision-making.

    * Veganism is not the solution to environmental and ethical issues; it is important to consider the holistic context and long-term sustainability of the environment. Though veganism can be a solution, depending in which context you are.

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