CLIMATE CHANGE & AGRICULTURE

We are living in a time of climate crisis. Our planet is warming, and our weather systems are causing chaos in our communities and food systems. With 50% of Aotearoa’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from agriculture, how we farm can make or break the health of our biosphere. The good news is that organic farming is climate-friendly and could even counteract climate change if practiced on a large enough scale. 
 
Some truly exciting research is now showing that shifting to organic regenerative farming practices could counteract climate change on a global scale.  

The Rodale Institute has been running a 40-year side by side study comparing the effects of conventional vs. Organic agriculture. The study has found that the organic system releases 40% fewer carbon emissions. Healthy organic plants and soil have the power to sequester carbon and literally pull it out of the atmosphere and put it back underground where it belongs. 

This is why our theme for Organic Week this year is Organics is Climate Action. Because we believe in an organic future for Aotearoa New Zealand. Will you help us get there? 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

🌱 Start with just one organic product swap, be it wine, snacks or fresh produce 
🌱 Grow your own – start small in pots or join your local community garden 
🌱 Eat less meat, eat more plants, and not fake plant meat, things that grow in soil are better for everyone 
🌱 Write to your local MP and ask in this election year what will they do to reduce agricultural emissions 
🌱 Get involved with Organic Week – plan a local event, join a webinar or go to a regional community event. Share our content – let ORGANICS take over your feed!  Start a conversation and eat, learn and grow organic   

Organics: Good for you, good for the planet

The world is becoming increasingly conscious about the effects our actions can have on the planet upon which we live. The term ‘organic’ is often misunderstood and misconstrued – so we’re here to tell you why you should go organic.
 
“Organic” has been defined by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) as – avoiding or excluding the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, antibiotics, growth modification and irradiation. This is all correct, yet below we explain why the term incorporates so much more than that.
 
Any farm, producer or manufacturer operating to satisfy certified organic standards are assessed and audited every year.

Organic certifications

Genuine products can be identified through the organic certification logos, shown below.
 
Organisations such as BioGro, Hua Parakore, AsureQuality, Demeter and OFNZ do the hard work to ensure that the products meet the certification requirements.
 
They do this so consumers can glance at a label and feel at ease that what they’re purchasing is what they say it is.

The following labels ensure that the product is certified organic in New Zealand.