In recent years, there have been drastic changes in global climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a rise of 2.5 to 10° Fahrenheit in the coming century. According to NASA, April 2018 was the third warmest month of April recorded. What can be the future impact of these changes and why should we be worried? Longer summers, shorter and warmer winters, floods, storms, tides to name a few. Talking about the cause, human activities remain the main culprit, activities that we barely pay attention to but their effect is massive and disastrous. So the question is, Can we prevent the varying climate trends? With stringent measures, yes we can! The priority is to curb all activities which produce more heat. Adopt the following measures to bring climate changes.
A Silent Crisis Threatens Armenia’s Countryside
Armenia’s farmers have faced shrinking yields, deteriorating soil health, and increased exposure to harmful chemicals for decades. Pesticides and chemical farming practices have degraded Armenia’s soil, hurt rural communities, and endangered people’s health.
Some pesticides imported into Armenia (HHPs – Highly Hazardous Pesticides) harm the human endocrine system, causing serious health issues.
Most farmers either unknowingly or intentionally, use unacceptable amounts of chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers, creating a vicious cycle of environmental contamination.
These levels of exposure are clearly unsustainable. The evidence shows that pesticides are one of the primary drivers of declines in populations of insects, birds and many other groups of species.
Moreover, pesticide exposure can cause several chronic diseases in humans, with users of pesticides and vulnerable groups such as children being particularly at risk.
Our assessment finds that we should find additional policies and adopt measures to accelerate and incentivize the transition to more sustainable farming systems. The permaculture is a natural solution to this problem.
What is permaculture? Permaculture is a sustainable farming method that imitates natural ecosystems, using techniques like composting, mulching, crop rotation, and water conservation.
Why this solution is important for Armenia? The permaculture model addresses the urgent need to transform Armenia’s agriculture, reduce reliance on harmful chemicals, improve public health, and create a sustainable, resilient agricultural system for future generations.
Let’s save the soil that feeds us
Using the permaculture method we physically restore our soil and crops by eliminating harmful chemicals and reconnecting with our cultural heritage to honor and rejuvenate our origins. We create a self-sustaining ecosystem that embodies health, sustainability, and respect for our environment and heritage.
Gayane Harutyunyan
