Last week on the Gold Coast at the Carbon Market Expo saw the coming of age of the climate change debate in terms of BIOSEQUESTRATION. The keynote address by Tim Flannery included a passionate call for more research to confirm the massive capacity of our grazing lands to capture and store carbon. While it is true that technology holds the answers to reducing our future emissions, the over-looked reality is that only biology (via the simple beauty of photosynthesis) hold the key to dealing with the excess carbon dioxide already in our atmosphere. This incredible natural tool is in the toolbox of our agricultural industries - yet for some reason that escapes me our so-called industry leaders are afraid to open the toolbox. The Government is waiting for a sign from the bush that we want soil carbon offsets available under the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Let's give them that sign now.

The new publication "Carbon Grazing - the missing link", (publishing funded by a community NRM organisation) explains how rural producers can increase profits while at the same time meeting their environmental obligations and reducing their greenhouse footprint. How to increase landscape resilience as the best means of adapting to climate change is explained. The book and further information is available at www.carbongrazing.com.au

As landholders we must embrace carbon emissions trading, but we need to speak as one body on some very important aspects. The science behind calculating our farm carbon budgets, is getting there, but still has a way to go, this will underpin the trading. Many farmers especially those involved in the grazing enterprises have an opportunity to benefit greatly from carbon trading. Over the past 15 years graziers have adopted different grazing strategies, which has improved condition and composition of their native pastures thus greatly increasing the carbon sequestration on their farms. The question here is when do the credits kick in? From what point is the farms baseline assessment taken? Where does "business as usual" start? For many graziers business as usual finished about 10 to 15 years ago and since then there has been some huge changes in management to increase ground cover and plant health. In some cases this has been a costly business, landcare and NHT funding has been a help, but the brunt of the projects have been born by the landholders. Are these innovative landholders going to be given the benifit of their efforts? Another big ? is the point of obligation. This needs to be clearly defined. On conclusion we see carbon trading as a real positive for grazing enterprises, creating a much greater awareness of plant function and the importance of ground cover throughout the grazing fraternity. There will be some very positive economic and ecological outcomes. BUT we MUST be very proactive in establishing the guidelines or big industry and greed will prevail.