Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, presents an increasingly difficult challenge for farmers and communities around the world. In the face of these difficulties, community driven projects have allowed farmers to harness the Power of Proximity in their efforts to become more adaptive to climate change. So in today’s blog, we take a look at just some efforts underway in the nexus of water, food and energy that are designed to make farmers more resilient to water shortages while helping capture carbon in the process.

In regions such as the Philippines, initiatives like the Slanted Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) are reshaping practices (and landscapes) by incorporating contour farming techniques. By contouring hillsides with alternating strips of crops and conservation barriers, SALT minimizes soil erosion, improves water infiltration, and enhances soil moisture retention. This approach to agroecology uses hedgerows of fast growing perennial nitrogen-fixing tree or shrub species to create living barriers that trap sediments while conserving water and mitigating land degradation.

Similarly, in South America, organizations like Accíon Andina have combined community spirit with reforestation efforts to plant native Polylepsis trees to protect and restore watersheds. The Polylepsis genus, known for its ability to thrive in high-altitude environments, plays a crucial role in regulating water flow in the area, preventing erosion, and improving water quality. By reintroducing these native species into degraded landscapes, Accíon Andina promotes ecological restoration and sustainable water management, highlighting the synergy between reforestation, water conservation and community integrated sustainability.

In Australia, the practice of regenerative agriculture has gained momentum as farmers embrace holistic land management approaches to improve soil health and water retention. Techniques such as rotational grazing, cover cropping, and no-till farming enhance soil structure, increase organic matter content, and reduce runoff, leading to improved water infiltration and groundwater recharge. Through collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing platforms, Australian farmers are spearheading a paradigm shift towards regenerative practices that prioritize water conservation and environmental stewardship.

In Africa, the Great Green Wall initiative represents a bold vision to combat desertification and climate change across the Sahel region. By planting a mosaic of trees, shrubs, and grasses along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, participating countries aim to restore degraded lands, enhance biodiversity, and improve water availability. This transformative project harnesses the power of agroforestry and community-based land management to revitalize ecosystems, mitigate land degradation, and safeguard water resources for millions of people.

Small-scale farmers in Europe are embracing agroecological principles to enhance water efficiency and resilience in agricultural systems. The recently launched European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture was set up to enable the transformation of the agrifood system through accountable ecologic, economic and social regeneration–beginning with the health of soils. By integrating diverse crop rotations, regenerative systems and water-efficient irrigation practices, such farmers reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, conserve water, and promote ecosystem health. 

Across continents, sustainable agriculture practices are driving positive change, demonstrating the transformative potential of integrated approaches to water conservation and environmental stewardship. At the heart of this is grassroots and urgent community action, for it is only through community integrated sustainability and shared commitment that we can build a more sustainable future where water resources are protected, ecosystems are restored, and communities thrive in harmony with nature.

If you would like to power this shift, please get in touch. We have multiple opportunities both as part of greentech.training and its network of firms for those seeking to decarbonise the Earth’s atmosphere and restore a positive and regenerative balance within the water, food and energy nexus.