Uncategorized – Page 2 – The Green Tau

Counting on 2026 … day 8

16th January

Reversing land system change needs to include both reforestation and the adoption of regenerative farming methods – ie methods that restore the fertility of the soil, restores fresh water cycles, protects the environment from pollutants such as pesticides, fertilisers, slurry etc, that promotes increasing biodiversity and produces healthy food. Somehow nations need to find ways of valuing the role that trees and good agricultural practice play in maintaining the wellbeing of the earth systems on which we rely.

This might be by levying a rate or tax to cover the cost similar to the water rate we used to pay for clean water – and which could be used to pay for planting trees and/or for setting aside land for woodlands. In the UK farmers can be paid by the Government (and thus ultimately paid for by the tax payer) to protect and enhance the natural environment – eg through the Sustainable Farming Incentive – https://www.farmingadviceservice.org.uk/category/funding-support

In a similar vein, consumers can actively chose to support environmentally friendly farming by paying a premium for the products thus produced – eg organic fruit and vegetables, grass fed meat, wild flower honey.

It might be by levying a fee on those whose businesses pollute the environment – eg levied against beef and dairy products, or against industrial chicken farms. Denmark – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20nq8qgep3o

Governments and other institutions- like health bodies, schools etc – might promote a switch to largely plant based diets (as per the Planetary Health Diet). Denmark is developing a concerted switch to a largely plant based diet with support for farmers as well as encouragement for consumers. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/plant-based-diet-shift-initiative-case-studies-denmarks-plant-based-food-grant/

Governments and farming bodies can encourage a switch to crops better suited to the changing climate in their region – eg switchIng from olives and almonds to pistachios in the dryer Spanish climate, introducing agroforestry, replacing cotton with hemp (as is happening in Turkey – https://egedeniztextile.com/turkish-hemp/) etc. https://inspain.news/spains-green-gold-rush-and-why-pistachios-are-the-future-of-farming/

Governments could mandate that public purchasing should favour sustainably produced products – both food and timber based products. This report urges the use of timber in the construction industry: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timber-in-construction-roadmap-2025/timber-in-construction-roadmap-2025

Conversely governments can implement legislation to limit or end land use and farming practices that damage planetary boundaries. The UK and the European Union have both introduced legislation that requires companies to ensure through the length of the supply chains that not products are derived from sources where deforestation is involved: https://www.clydeco.com/en/insights/2025/02/spotlight-on-deforestation-regulations-in-uk-eu

NB both sets of policies have yet to be fully implemented.

Green Tau: Agriculture and land use – part 1 climate mitigation

14th January 2026

Approximately 12% (47.7 MtCO2e as of 2022) of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from farming. Of that 58% is methane from livestock, a further 28% is nitrous oxides from fertilisers etc and 16% CO2 from motor vehicles etc. (1). Agriculture therefore has a significant part to play in reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. To achieve this changes – a transition – in agricultural methods and in the balance between livestock and arable land farming, and between food production and enabling the land to contribute in other ways to the maintenance of a healthy environment, will be necessary. This is noted in the SRUC report submitted in support of the UK’s 7th carbon budget: “The increasing need to reduce agricultural and food related emissions underlines the importance of estimating the mitigation potential in agricultural production in the wider context of emission reductions achievable with changing dietary patterns, land use and the agricultural production mix.” (2)

As the UK moves to a net zero economy, it is obvious that emissions from agriculture need to be reduced – the Climate Change Committee’s target is 21 MtCO2 by 2050. (Agriculture – including deliberate none cultivation of the land – offers opportunities to increase natural carbon absorption which should more than offset this remaining 21Mt of CO2). Every five years the CCC produces a carbon budget. The budget for the current period is the fourth carbon budget (2023-2027). The fifth carbon budget (2028-2032) was approved in 2016. The sixth carbon budget (2033-2037) whilst an amended version was initially approved by government, it was challenged in the courts as being insufficient and a revised budget submitted by the government in October 2025. The seventh carbon budget (2028-2042) was submitted by the CCC in 2025 for review and an agreed version should be ready approval by Parliament in June 2026.

The following infographic dates from 2020 and was produced by the CCC as part of their report, Land use: Policies for a Net Zero UK, which explored how policies could be implemented vis a vis agriculture to achieve the 2050 net zero target. It is gives useful overview of what changes will – are – being required of the agricultural sector. (3)

(NB the updated Land Use Framework (LUF) is still be worked on and is already at least a year late! This policy document won’t per-se specify what land should be used for what but will encourage informed decisions that hopefully produce a win-win solution where there are competing demands -eg food production and housing, nature restoration and new infrastructure. (4))

The seventh budget forecasts that emissions from agriculture should fall to 29.2 MtCO2e by 2040 to 26.4 MtCO2e by 2050 at which point this sum will be balanced by the land-based carbon sequestration which will have been increasing year on year as the impact of planting more trees, restoring peatlands etc takes effect.

The budget envisages a reduction in numbers of livestock, releasing land for growing other uses – eg horticulture, woodlands, and bio-energy crops (for use as a short term transition fuel) etc. This also envisages a reduction in consumption of meat and dairy products by consumers. There is no specific mention of growing beans and pulses but this would be essential to provide a sustainable plant based alternative to meat and dairy products.

The budget also envisages an increase in woodlands (mix of broadleaf and coniferous trees) to cover 16% of the UK, as well as year on year increase in agroforestry (this is still novel in the UK). To meet sequestration targets much of this tree planting needs to happen by 2030. The budget also relies on a 40% increase in hedgerows by 2050 as another boost for carbon sequestration and for biodiversity.

The budget envisages rewetting and restoring both upland and lowland peatlands – 3% of the latter by 2040 and 56% by 2050. Again this adaptation needs to implemented sooner rather than later to maximise the benefits of carbon sequestration. This critical adaptation will include rewetting significant areas of peatlands in East Anglia currently used for growing vegetables. Alternative areas of the country would have to be developed for vegetable growing. The budget also envisages 10% of horticulture will be taking place under glass by 2050.

The budget recognises that farmers will need financial support as they negotiate this transition. It will be important that farmers have longer term certainty as regards these changes and the support they will receive.

Government policies also need to promote the switch by consumers from meat and dairy to plant based alternatives. This could promote the health benefits of eating a richer plant-based diet.

As part of the process of producing the seventh carbon budget, the CCC convened a citizens’ panel to explore how these changes would impact households. It was generally accepted that there was a need to make changes in diet with the proviso that information should be made available showing the different impacts of alternative foods. The panel favoured a shift to healthier, home cooked foods and envisages that education could play a role in enabling plant-based meal preparation. There was agreement that plant-based foods needed to be competitively priced compared with alternatives – especially for those on low incomes. This is something that may require government directives for the food industry – especially as many of the panelist’s were uneasy about replacing meat and dairy with highly processed options such as precision fermentation. The panel was also concerned that policies should ensure the proper remuneration of farmers.

To read either a summary of the seventh carbon budget or the full report see :-

The Seventh Carbon Budget

Further reading – https://www.sustainweb.org/news/feb25-seventh-carbon-budget-climate-change-committee/

However how is this transition to be financed or effected?

(1) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/agri-climate-report-2024/agri-climate-report-2024

(2) https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Greenhouse-gas-abatement-in-UK-agriculture-2024-2050-Scotlands-Rural-College.pdf

(3) https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/land-use-policies-for-a-net-zero-uk/

(4) https://www.nffn.org.uk/resources/land-use-framework-for-england-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-for-farming

Counting on 2026 … day 6

14th January

Atmospheric aerosol loading is another planetary boundary that we should avoid crossing. The global concentration of aerosol particles has more than doubled since pre-industrial times. The effect that excessive aerosol concentration could have in human health and the climate that established the need for a safe limit.

What are these particles? – salt condensed from ocean waters, fine sand from desert dust storms, ice crystals over the poles and ash from fires as well as volcanic eruptions, carbon and sulphur dioxide from fossil fuel power statist and industrial smoke stacks, hydrocarbons from combustion engines and stratospheric vapour crystals from aircraft. (1)

It is another boundary where we are currently within the safe limits and in fact the concentration of aerosol particles in the atmosphere is declining as we are across the globe tackling and reducing air pollution, providing alternatives to open cookings fires, ending crop the burning of stubble after crop harvesting, reducing pollution levels from road vehicles and from commercial cargo ships. Taking action to stay within planetary boundaries is good for the planet and for our wellbeing! (2(

Counting on 2026 … day 5

13th January

Stratospheric ozone depletion is one planetary boundary* where we did cross into the danger zone and through concerted global action, pulled back from into the safe limits of the boundary. Regulations curbing what chemicals could be used, for example, in fridges and aerosols, had a real effect!

“”In the face of a triple planetary crisis – climate, nature and pollution – the Montreal Protocol is one of the best examples we have that showcases the positive and powerful outcome of multilateralism,”

Meg Seki, Executive Secretary of UNEP’s Ozone Secretariat. (1)

(1) https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/rebuilding-ozone-layer-how-world-came-together-ultimate-repair-job Do read this full article and/or watch the YouTube clip.

* NB What are the planetary boundaries? https://greentau.org/2025/10/22/counting-on-170/

Counting on 2026 … day 4

12th January

Data centres – which includes those that provide AI – use large amounts of water, principally in providing cooling., but also (depending on the source of their electricity) from the water needed at fossil fuelled power plants where water is again needed for cooling. It is estimated that the water footprint of AI in 2025 was somewhere between 313 and 765 billion litres which apparently is roughly the same as the amount of bottled water consumed globally. (1)

This consumption of water is going to increase as our use of and development of AI continues to expand. By 2027 experts predict global water use by could reach 4.2–6.6 trillion litres annually – equivalent to about half the UK’s annual water consumption. (2)

In a world where freshwater is already in short supply, this is a serious issue as highlighted in this comment from a UK Government blog:

“AI has potential to address challenges in healthcare, inequality and climate monitoring. However, these benefits must be weighed against the full environmental impact of building and running AI systems. This requires development of a comprehensive and transparent series of metrics that include, carbon emissions, energy consumption, water usage, biodiversity and social impact. Only by looking at AI through these combined lenses can we ensure it delivers net benefit rather than widening inequality or disproportionately impacting communities and regions.” (3)

A UK government report ‘Water use in AI and Data Centre’ highlights the issue of the 2050 projected daily 5 billion litre water deficit versus the expansion of date centres in the UK. It notes with concern that in coming to its projection of a 5 billion litre water shortage, the Environment Agency has not included any figures for the anticipated increased water demands that will be made as data centres expand. This is aggravated by a lack of information as data centres are not required to be transparent about the amount of water and electricity that are and will be using. Mandating transparency would encourage data centre to find ways of minimising the resources they need and would enable the relevant authorities to make better decisions as to where new data centres could or should not be located. (They should not for example be located in areas already prone to water shortages). (4)

Equally if information about the likely consumption of scarce resources were more readily available, it would enable a better discussion as to whether we should be encouraged the unrestricted growth of AI and data centre, and have the ability to weigh up the benefits of AI against its detriments.

First Sunday after Epiphany

11th January 2026

Reflection with readings below

The Orthodox Church understands that as Jesus entered the water of the River Jordan to be baptised, he sanctified all rivers and seas. Icons of the baptism sometimes show pagan gods or spirits fleeing from his presence in the water. And this is also why, it is common practice in the Orthodox Church – but also in other traditions too – of blessing rivers or seas on the feast of the Epiphany, which often involves throwing a wooden cross into the water. This Sunday representatives from Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr (their church buildings being on opposite banks) will gather midday on London Bridge to bless the Thames.

This line of thought goes further. Jesus by being baptised himself, sanctified baptism. When we were baptised we entered into an event where Jesus had preceded us. Just as Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, so are we. Just as Jesus in his baptism was proclaimed as God’s beloved, so are we. And just as Jesus’s baptism marked the beginning of his vocation, so our baptism sets us out on that same vocation – to bring forth justice; to be a light in the world; to heal the sick and free the oppressed. It is a vocation we do not do alone but together with all our brothers and sisters as the community – or body – of Christ.

This is a vocation that was recognised by Isaiah and by St Paul. It is a vocation that began on the banks of the Jordan in the sight of John the Baptist. It is a vocation that continues here and now – in us. It is a vocation that calls not just for thought, nor even just for prayer,but emphatically for action. As we hear again the story of Jesus’s own ministry, how he pursued this vocation in 1st century Palestine, we are reminded that his was an active ministry.

Jesus healed people. He released them from physical and emotional and spiritual bonds. He fed the hungry. He persuaded those with more than enough to share what they had with those in need. He challenged the religious authorities when they placed tradition or expediency over the needs of the people. He challenged them verbally. He challenged them by sticking to his counter cultural lifestyle. He challenged them by blocking roads and creating crowds that became a public nuisance. He challenged them by physically tipping over tables and spilling goods and money across the ground. He challenged them by his silence and by his acceptance of death. He surprised them by his resurrection.

What are we going to do this year? How will we transform the society we live in so that it reflects the values of God’s kingdom? How will we take care of the planet that God created and gifted to us? How will we challenge unjust systems? How will we speak truth to power?

Isaiah 42:1-9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.

Psalm 29

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendour.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.

9 And in the temple of the Lord *
all are crying, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *
the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.

11 The Lord shall give strength to his people; *
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Acts 10:34-43

Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ–he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptised by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Psalm 19 – where we fall short

19th January 2026

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 61:1b

Lord you created the world in love:

Glory to you.

Lord you sustain the world through love:

Glory to you.

Lord you invite us to share that love:

Glory to you .

A reading from Psalm 19:1-5

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;

yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Response

Is it in the coal pits and oil fields

that we see God’s glory?

Or is it in the wind, the sun and the sea?

Is it in the soya plantation and the chicken factory

that we see God’s glory?

Or is it in in the vegetable plot and the meadow?

Is it in the fumes of the combustion engine

or in the exhaust from the coal-fired power station

that we see God’s glory?

Or is it in the uphill slog and the down hill rush of the cycle wheel?

Is it in the land cleared of people to make way for luxury flats and runways

that we see God’s glory?

Or is it in the primeval forest and the indigenous village.

Is it in the spoil heap and stagnant stream

that we see God’s glory?

Or is it in the free running caribou and the eager beaver?

Is it in the slave to the workplace and the gig economy conscript

that we see God’s glory?

Or is it in the community of friends and neighbours?

Heavenly God,

Help us strip away the blinkers and disguises

that prevent us and others from seeing your glory.

Help us clear away the rules and expectations

that separate us from your glory.

Help us break down the indebtedness and inequalities

that so weigh us down that we cannot look up.

In simplicity let us know you.

In freedom let us follow you.

In joy let us celebrate your glory.

Amen.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Counting on 2026 … day 3

9th January

How do we protect and preserve fresh water supplies – part 4

As consumers we can use less water by reducing the amount we literally take from our taps, but we can also reduce the amount we consumer by reducing some of the things we buy. Everything we consume has a water footprint. Here again there is a strong argument for eating less meat and dairy and more nuts, seeds and pulses, and locally produced, in-season fruits and vegetables.

1kg of beef uses 15,415 litres of water, milk 1020 litres and vegetables an average of 322 litres. (1) Dried beans use 5053 litres , lentils 5874 litres and shelled walnuts 9280litres. (2) (NB a portion of beef will typically be twice the weight or more of a portion of beans or pulses).

Another significant item of consumption that can impact our water footprint, is clothing. Making clothes – growing cotton, manufacturing threads and dying the fabrics – uses a significant amount of water.

To produce a T-shirt can use 2000litres of water, a pair of jeans 11,000 litres, a pair of leather shoes 8000 litres. (3)

If we buy fewer items of clothes – buying items we know we like and they we know will last – rather than buying lots of new items which we may wear once and discard, we will make an impact on reducing water consumption and save money too! Clothes will last longer of we take care of them, mending and cleaning them as necessary. And if we no longer need or want them, we can give/ sell them as preloved items. Equally we can save water and money by ourselves buying preloved items.

Counting on 2026 … day 2

8th January

How do we protect and preserve fresh water supplies – part 3

Using less water!

This is something for businesses and farmers and domestic consumers to respond too – and feels particularly pertinent as decisions are made about AI and data centres generally (see tomorrow’s blog).

In the UK at our continued rate of water consumption there will be a daily shortfall of 5 billion litres (about a third of current consumption) by 2050. This takes into account the need to extract less water from rivers, aquifers etc where it negatively impacts the natural environment, a growing population, the need to cope with increasingly frequent droughts, the impact of climate change (eg changing rainfall patterns) and increased use by businesses. (1)

Per capita household water consumption in the UK is already falling, from an average of 169.53 litres per day in 2005/2006 to an average of 139.47 litres in 2023/2024. (2) However there is clearly a need for consumption levels to fall further. A survey across Europe in 2020 varied daily domestic consumption varied from 300 litres in Switzerland to 100 litres in Belgium and even less in Estonia and Slovakia. (3) In some instances the difference maybe due to a lower volume toilet flush, or the frequency and duration and rate of flow of showers, or the frequency of use and water efficiency of appliances such as washing machines.

Websites with water saving tips

How to save water

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sustainable-living/13-best-ways-save-water

This earlier blog is about saving and reusing grey water around the house – https://greentau.org/2025/07/10/counting-on-day-106-3/

And this one about showering less and more efficiently – https://greentau.org/2025/02/13/counting-on-day-31-3/

Counting on … day 1

7th January 2026

How do we protect and preserve fresh water supplies – part 2

Land use changes, especially things such as deforestation and urbanisation, have aggravated the problem –

“Deforestation, agriculture, and urban expansion have greatly changed the way land stores and moves water. When forests are cleared or soils are sealed under concrete, they lose their ability to hold green water — the moisture that plants rely on. This weakens local rainfall, increases runoff, and can intensify both floods and droughts. Changes to land systems also affect regional weather patterns, such as monsoons, and create feedback loops that further influence the climate.” (1)

Reducing or indeed eliminating such land use changes is clearly beneficial for the wellbeing of the planet. We can go further by reversing the changes by both protecting and increasing land uses that capture and store – eg through reforestation, restoring peatlands and wetlands, re-wriggling rivers (ie allowing them to flow freely and more slowly across a greater expanse of the flood plain, re-establishing water meadows, limiting the extraction of water to protect lakes and aquifers etc.

These nature based solutions not only protect supplies of fresh water, they also protect and enhance biodiversity and reduce the risk of flooding, creating a better environment for us to enjoy.

(1) https://www.planetaryhealthcheck.org/boundary/freshwater-change/