Climate Considerations from Members

Harvest Magazine – Autumn 2021

The following piece is an excerpt from The Autumn/Winter issue of Harvests 2021. For access to the full article and to participate in monthly Zoom gatherings, become a member of Biodynamics New Zealand.

Members of the New Zealand Biodynamic Association met over Zoom on the fourth of February 2021 to discuss the impact climate change is having on Aotearoa and beyond. The following report was written by Amanda Bradley and submitted to the Goetheanum prior to the “Breathing with the Climate Crisis Conference” and represents the views of a small group of people. There of course are many other perspectives and stories within the association. If you feel called to contribute to this conversation please get in touch with Amanda at amanda@biodynamic.org.nz to discuss potential story ideas.

The climate issue is one on most people’s minds these days. Everyone is experiencing first hand effects of it. In parts of the Aotearoa, New Zealand, apples are ripening earlier than usual, leaves are falling in the middle of summer, our winters are becoming milder, in the South Island some parts experienced a white Christmas when it is usually sweltering hot.

It has become an ethical responsibility of anyone who works closely with the land to ask themselves, what can I do to respond to this crisis?

As members of the New Zealand Biodynamic Association this question was asked and an intimate group of members met over Zoom to discuss this issue. The following report is a summary of this session in which members discussed what issues were pertinent to members in Aotearoa, New Zealand, how we can respond to the climate crisis on a national and global scale, and contribute to bringing balance back to the Earth.

During the discussion the following questions were raised in relation to the climate issue.

• What the role of a biodynamic farmer or home gardener when approach climate issues?
• How do we communicate biodynamics with the general public?
• Food security? What is the future of our food production?
• What is the human and environmental impact of climate change?
• How is Aotearoa, New Zealand unique and what can we contribute to the climate solution

The people of New Zealand have a reputation of being resourceful, family focused, and we give things a go. The attitude of getting the job done, and having a laugh while doing it is one many kiwis are familiar with. Yet, there is a large percentage of the population who find it hard to come around to new ideas, or to be told their actions are harmful.

We in the biodynamic community have a wonderful opportunity here. The reason we put so much effort into these biodynamic practices is because we see results. If we can share the results with the wider public and offer solutions, we will go a long way towards bringing balance back to the earth.

Members of the Biodynamic Association of New Zealand are passionate about biodynamics capacity to heal the earth and restore balance. Empirical scientific evidence is available to prove what we know; that land farmed using these methods are more nutrient rich and produce better quality crops than their chemically treated counterparts. The challenge we face over the coming years will be communicating the message of biodynamics in a way that is accessible to the thousands of New Zealanders who would love to apply these methods in their own farm or garden.