 The desert locust is one of the most devastating migratory pests in the world. It is highly mobile and feeds on large quantities of any kind of green vegetation, such as crops, pasture, and fodder. A typical swarm can be made up of 150 million locusts per square kilometer, usually carried by the wind up to 150km in one day. Even a very small, one-square-kilometer locust swarm can eat the same amount of food in one day as about 35,000 people. This poses a significant threat to subsistence farmers as the locusts destroy their very livelihood, and potentially endangers the food security of almost 25 million people.
A swarm covering an area the size of Luxembourg has been spotted in 10 African and Middle Eastern countries in the last few months, and more recently in Kenya. Experts fear that global warming is the root cause, and an increase in tropical storms is creating favourable conditions for them to breed in.\ So where did it start, and how do warming global temperatures facilitate longer breeding conditions? As greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun the oceans absorb more heat, resulting in an increase in surface sea temperatures. Changes in ocean temperatures and currents brought about by climate change lead to alterations in climate pattern around the world. Tropical cyclones are one example, and form when the water warms above 27°C, causing the moist air above the oceans to rise. In this case, a pair of cyclones came in from the Indian Oceans and targeted the Arabian peninsula - the vast desert region near the border of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, which brought copious amounts of wind and rain. When this rain falls in semi-arid and desert-like regions, the sandy soils are unable to cope with the amount of rainfall and inevitably flood. As such, once the floods recede, much of the soil retains this moisture, and according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) provides perfect conditions for female desert locusts to lay their eggs for months at a time. The desert locust are a difficult pest to control as they often cover very large and remote areas. But also, many countries affected lack basic infrastructure with limited resources for locust monitoring and control, and those inundated with political rife struggle to develop the necessary implementation activities. Without preventive systems, these locust swarms could happen more frequently, last longer, and spread further beyond imagination. The UN has warned that the locust swarms could increase 500 times by June, posing a major threat to the entire region. The short food supply also presents another problem. As demand outstrips supply, the price for a kilogram of rice now costs more than £1 compared to 70p before the locust crisis. From the outset, this may not seem a lot, but for those with little money, no crops, and families to feed, this is a significant rise. The locusts are causing significant disruption to the region’s food supply and raising prices in areas most heavily affected. The biggest issue is that African countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are already fragile with food security. If they don’t manage to get this locust invasion under control, and reduce the significant strain on the current food supply, then they could potentially face a severe famine like Ethiopia has continually experienced over the twentieth century.
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 The desert locust is one of the most devastating migratory pests in the world. It is highly mobile and feeds on large quantities of any kind of green vegetation, such as crops, pasture, and fodder. A typical swarm can be made up of 150 million locusts per square kilometer, usually carried by the wind up to 150km in one day. Even a very small, one-square-kilometer locust swarm can eat the same amount of food in one day as about 35,000 people. This poses a significant threat to subsistence farmers as the locusts destroy their very livelihood, and potentially endangers the food security of almost 25 million people.
A swarm covering an area the size of Luxembourg has been spotted in 10 African and Middle Eastern countries in the last few months, and more recently in Kenya. Experts fear that global warming is the root cause, and an increase in tropical storms is creating favourable conditions for them to breed in. So where did it start and how do warming global temperatures facilitate longer breeding conditions? Well, as greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun the oceans absorb more heat, resulting in an increase in surface sea temperatures. Changes in ocean temperatures and currents brought about by climate change lead to alterations in climate pattern around the world. Tropical cyclones are one example, and form when the water warms above 27°C, causing the moist air above the oceans to rise. In this case, a pair of cyclones came in from the Indian Oceans and targeted the Arabian peninsula - the vast desert region near the border of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, which brought copious amounts of wind and rain. When this rain falls in semi-arid and desert-like regions, the sandy soils are unable to cope with the amount of rainfall and inevitably flood. As such, once the floods recede, much of the soil retains this moisture, and according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) provides perfect conditions for female desert locusts to lay their eggs for months at a time. The desert locust are a difficult pest to control as they often cover very large and remote areas. But also, many countries affected lack basic infrastructure with limited resources for locust monitoring and control, and those inundated with political rife struggle to develop the necessary implementation activities. Without preventive systems, these locust swarms could happen more frequently, last longer, and spread further beyond imagination. The UN has warned that the locust swarms could increase 500 times by June, posing a major threat to the entire region. The short food supply also presents another problem. As demand outstrips supply, the price for a kilogram of rice now costs more than £1 compared to 70p before the locust crisis. From the outset, this may not seem a lot, but for those with little money, no crops, and families to feed, this is a significant rise. The locusts are causing significant disruption to the region’s food supply and raising prices in areas most heavily affected. The biggest issue is that African countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are already fragile with food security. If they don’t manage to get this locust invasion under control, and reduce the significant strain on the current food supply, then they could potentially face a severe famine like Ethiopia has continually experienced over the twentieth century.  Similarly to the Moringa Tree, the Neem Tree has a whole host of nutritional and healing properties. In India, the tender shoots and flowers of the Neem tree can be eaten as a vegetable. In Tamil Nadu a soup-like dish using the flower of the Neem is prepared, and in Bengal, the young Neem leaves are cooked in oil and tossed together with eggplant - usually served with rice as an appetiser.
Products and food made from Neem trees have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties. It is believed by Ayurvedic practitioners that Neem acts as an anti fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative agent, also used for healthy hair, to improve liver function, detoxify the blood, balance blood sugar levels and to treat skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Many medicinal trees like Neem, are in abundance in the Amazon rainforest - Brazil’s greatest natural resource and invaluable to the rest of the world. Ranging from anxiety to infertility, cancer and AIDS, these medicinal plants have long been used by ancient civilisations for their powerful medicinal properties, and used to heal all ailments that face mankind. In Western modern medicine, around 25% of all drugs are derived from rainforest plants. That’s an impressive statistic, especially considering that less than 5% of Amazon plant species have been studied for their potential medicinal benefits. Jon Vidal’s recent article highlights how the increasing demand for wood, minerals and resources from the global north leads to the degraded landscapes and ecological disruption that drives disease. In many ways, it is humanity’s destruction of biodiversity that creates the conditions for new viruses such as Covid-19 to emerge, highlighting how our relationship with nature is flawed. We have much to learn from the natural world, as we’ve only likely discovered a small percentage of plants that are beneficial to us. As such, exploring further will provide us with infinite opportunities to cure, prevent or mitigate such devastating infectious diseases that ultimately pose a significant threat to global health, security, and the economy.  In our previous blog post we comment on how humanity’s destruction of biodiversity is creating new and unprecedented conditions for new viruses such as Covid-19 to thrive. If anything, this pandemic shows the severity of the climate crisis, and how it has the potential of unleashing foreign microbes from unexplored places that inevitably come into contact with human beings.
Back in 2003, civets and snakes were briefly banned in China as it was discovered they likely transferred the SARS virus to humans. Although the use of wild animals is culturally embedded; for consumption, traditional medicine, and clothing to name a few, there is an increased risk of virus transmission when these exotic animals from different environments are kept in close proximity to one another. It provides a breeding ground for viruses to jump from one species to another, giving them reason to amplify, mutate, and develop into something much worse. If humans continue to encroach on these biodiversity hotspots, nature will find its way of fighting back. Decomposing animal carcasses in thawing permafrost are likely to have a notable impact too. In 2016, Russia experienced an outbreak of Anthrax, thought to be induced by warming global temperatures. During a heatwave, the thawing permafrost (which can be more than 1,000 ft deep in some places), exposed a reindeer carcass that was infected with anthrax decades ago. Once frozen, the dormant spores of anthrax bacteria reignited and spread across the tundra, infecting reindeer grazing nearby who picked up the disease and transmitted it to humans. Disease transmission from animals to humans is going to increase as temperatures continue to rise, because alterations in temperature, wind, and precipitation patterns can indirectly affect the pathogen’s reproduction and transmission rates. With this in mind, people must understand how the adverse impacts climate change could potentially reactivate pathogens as deadly as the 1918 Spanish flu, smallpox and bubonic plague, that may well be trapped in tundra across the globe. As we all slow down and readjust our priorities, there is an opportunity to think about how we can rebuild again, and how we move forward in the wake of this disaster. Although it is easy to feel physically isolated at a time like this, we are mentally and emotionally connected through a shared global experience that will ultimately bring us closer together. Our relationship with nature is highly flawed, and we have much to learn from the natural world. But, through collective action we can simultaneously address this global health crisis and mobilise interventions that prevent global temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees by 2030.  Termed the ‘Miracle Tree’ or ‘Tree of Life’, the Moringa Tree is one of the most nutrient-dense plants on the planet. This fast growing, drought-resistant tree is native to North-Western India, and has, for centuries been prized for its nutritional and healing properties. Persistent droughts, soil degradation and malnutrition are increasing. However, the Moringa thrives in arid and semi-arid environments, tolerating a wide range of soils ranging from old, depleted pasture lands to lands bordering desertification. As such, it is a particularly useful source for food during dry seasons.
The Moringa Tree can play a vital role in combatting malnutrition in Asia and Africa, as the young leaves, stalks, and pods can be eaten as a vegetable. When grown from cuttings, the first harvest can be taken within six months of planting. Fruits often do not appear in the first year, and for the first few years yields are generally low. However, by year two a single tree can produce around 300 pods, by year three around 400-500 and more than 1000 in subsequent years. When broken down, the wealth of natural minerals and compounds contained within the plant are some of the most important essential nutrients for human health and well-being. The leaves and seeds are packed with 27 vitamins, 9 essential amino acids, 46 anti-oxidants, numerous minerals, and high concentrations of protein. Studies have shown the micro-nutrient content is even greater when dried. For example, it is an extremely rich source of antioxidants such as quercetin and chlorogenic acid. For people who deal with diabetes and high blood sugar, regular consumption of Moringa leaves, roots and seeds can help to significantly lower blood sugar levels. Other studies have found that they can help to regulate hormonal imbalances, alleviate stress, reduce fatigue, improve digestive health, and fight colds and infections. What is more, a paste made from the leaves can provide anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment for insect bites, wounds or fungal skin problems, and crushed seeds can be used to aid cramps, rheumatism, arthritis, and as a natural antibiotic.  Agroecology shares much in common with other approaches to sustainable farming. In fact, it integrates a whole host of practices such as organic farming, regenerative agriculture, and some aspects of permaculture, therefore contributing to sustainable development. In essence, it is a farming technique that allows agricultural practices to be respectful of the local environment and its ecological specificities.
Farming works best when working in conjunction with local ecosystems, for example, improving the quality and productivity of soil with biomass and available biodiversity, rather than using chemical alternatives. This may seem similar to organic farming, and it is, as it guarantees animal welfare, and the use of fewer pesticides, antibiotics and GMOs. Growing crops beneath trees creates a sheltered microclimate for the plants whilst the trees deep roots bring nutrients to the surface. This creates a win-win situation for farmers, as this provides them with food security and balanced nutrition through greater crop yields, additional tree crop (such as timber, fruit or biomass), but also enables them to diversify their output, therefore protecting them from market and environmental volatility. At both local and global levels we are facing multiple food system challenges; drought, soil degradation, flooding, biodiversity collapse and malnutrition. However, through the reintroduction of biodiversity and diversity of crops, this inexpensive technique is simple to implement and highly effective, allowing farmers to build upon what they already have, work with nature, and develop solutions to their own problem. As such, we can see how agroecology helps to minimise the pressures on the environment and allows for an alternative food and farming system.  As global warming reaches historical new highs, both corporates and individuals are increasingly looking towards concrete climate change solutions to reverse, or at least mitigate the severe damage that has already occurred.
Tree planting is the one of the worlds biggest and cheapest ways of absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. During photosynthesis trees absorb and store carbon, later using it to build new materials such as trunks, stems and roots that facilitate their growth. CO2 removal through reforestation will help offset emissions from sectors like aviation where alternatives are not yet available. However, the amount of carbon stored in trees depends on a number of factors, such as growth conditions in the environment, tree species, age of tree, and the density of surrounding trees. As such, it is relatively difficult to quantify the exact amount of carbon that can be sequestered. But trees are much more than ‘carbon sinks’. A large majority of tree planting that occurs often takes place at a localised level. At such a small scale, trees offer a great deal of benefits to host communities, such as poverty reduction, food security, and economic empowerment. They are are valued for their localised function, by increasing resilience, promoting diversification, improving local economies and enhancing sustainability. Ultimately, the trees act as both a mitigation and adaptation strategy for climate change, which is vital if we are to reduce global emissions. Another method of sustainable tree planting is Agroforestry - a land management system, where trees and crops are grown together. This unique land management practice can help relieve the pressure of overgrazed land, reduce erosion and increase biodiversity. It is also capable of improving water infiltration, thereby increasing soil fertility for agriculture and improving the microclimate. That’s what we’re doing at Keystone. Using blended finance to fund live projects in Kenya, we’re planting trees that mitigate climate change and create the next generation of environmental stewards.  Everyone has a carbon footprint. It refers to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of your daily life and activities. We should care about our carbon footprint because the lower it is, the better it is for the planet.
So what is carbon sequestration? Carbon sequestration is the capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow or reverse atmospheric CO2 pollution, and to mitigate or reverse global warming. There are a variety of ways that carbon can be sequestered. These include plants and trees absorbing it through photosynthesis, the sequestration of carbon by mangroves, absorption through the ocean and the special role that phytoplankton play. Mangroves are powerhouses when it comes to carbon storage. According to a new study in Nature Geoscience, mangroves can sequester four times more carbon than rainforests can, but most of this carbon is stored in the soil below. Mangrove forests also provide a number of vital ecological services such as protection from nutrient cycling, and act as a vital buffer against storm surges caused by cyclones. In addition, fish rarely breed in the deep sea because the conditions are so hostile, and so many prefer mangrove environments as they are protected against predation and strong water currents. Our climate depends on them, however mass deforestation continues to threaten their numbers and so it is vital that we provide education on how to monitor and where possible, replant these species. So what role do phytoplankton play? Half of the oxygen we breathe comes from phytoplankton that are found in the ocean. These organisms consume copious amounts of carbon dioxide, just as carbon is stored in the wood and leaves of a tree. It then transforms it into oxygen during photosynthesis, subsequently emitting this oxygen back into the atmosphere. Over time, the remains of planktonic organisms slowly sink to the bottom of the ocean, creating a layer of carbon-rich organic particles that build up and gradually transform into hydrocarbons that sit at the bottom of the ocean. As such, this becomes a huge carbon sink, allowing the sequestration of carbon to occur on a huge scale. Protecting our oceans is of vital importance, and we’re doing just that through our mangrove restoration project on the Coast of Kenya, that helps improve water quality by filtering pollutants, while stabilising and improving soil conditions so that they are able to capture as much carbon as possible.  In Kenya, food consumption is outpacing food production which is set to widen further due to low productivity in the agricultural sector and rapid population growth. Although agriculture remains the main economic driver, unpredictable rainfall patterns and recurring droughts continually disrupt crop production, placing increased pressure of food security for many in arid and semi-arid regions which make up 80 percent of the country’s land area.
The most severe social and economic inequalities are prevalent in the arid north, which is highly underdeveloped and inundated by drought. Children who grow up in these food insecure households often lag behind others in terms of cognitive, emotional and physical development, also exacerbated by the net enrolment of children in primary education which remains well below 50 percent. Our strategic goals are to transform the local schools into dynamic learning centers for sustainable land use; to implement permaculture techniques and scale up the permaculture-energy-education model, to benefit the local children and communities, increase food security and provide a mechanism to be financially sustainable. So what exactly is permaculture? While many people mistake it for a simple set of gardening techniques, it’s much more comprehensive. Designed and developed by two Australian’s named Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, this agricultural system focuses on the natural way of practicing agriculture and maintaining the ecological system. This unique system is designed to improve the quality and productivity of society and the environment, all the while increasing food security through greater crop yields - turning our negative ecological impact into a positive. Once established it creates a closed loop system, where the waste of one element feeds another. On the ground, Keystone are designing a community-based clean energy programme that provides energy through the creation of biogas. While helping to power the local school and combat energy poverty, it also produces nutrient rich fertilizer that is used in their permaculture farming methods. So what are the benefits? Using the natural components of the ecosystem, waste products are recycled back to earth in the form of compost and used as a natural fertiliser. This reduces the need for chemical intervention and allows the natural system to perform the functions that pesticides normally would. Most importantly, however, is that it can be applied to different agricultural systems that are already functioning, giving communities the means to give life and transform the surrounding barren landscape. It has also brought about huge social benefits such as increasing the farmers’ self-reliance, who are now able to supplement and diversify their diet, and incentivize children to attend school with regular meals. Furthermore, it has strengthened the local communities and invigorated the local economy by providing an opportunity for many to sell their surplus crops. Want to learn more about our permaculture programmes in Kenya? Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@keystonelegacy.com  Julian Pycraft (founder) at Leaders on Purpose Summit, Washington D.C. presenting the Keystone Maasai ProgrammeBy Edward Pycraft
"The Leaders on Purpose CEO Summit brings together some of the world's top visionaries and leaders to accelerate a new kind of leadership at the forefront of a new business logic - one that, at its core, integrates purpose & profit." Today, we see how organizations can navigate the disruptive forces shaping the 21st century. Focusing on the new business logic, the Leaders on Purpose CEO Summit selects leaders who fall in the top quartile of profitability for their sector, with a business spanning at least 30 countries and ranking in the top 50% for environmental, social & governance (ESG) criteria. The research increasingly shows that achieving and sustaining corporate success is linked to a commitment to solving societal problems. This new shift transcends business models focused on generating quick profits at the expense of sustainable development by one underpinned with long-term sustained growth and adaptive business models. Leaders on Purpose have coined this their "North Star" - the shared goal of social and environmental value creation informed by the global context & long-term thinking. |