Australia is aridifying as its climate changes. Scientists advise this is due to the southward shift of global pressure zones as well as the re-radiation of extra heat from bare areas that create high pressure heat domes that block the inflow of moist low pressure air. The consequence is lower rainfalls, reinforcing that we have to conserve and more efficiently use every drop. Can we harvest more of the water that flows continually over most landscapes from the 'rivers in the air?' The discussion in the film explores the natural processes and evidence in our landscapes and if we can potentially access these unrecognised sources of water to help rehydrate the land.

Walter Jehne, Australian soil microbiologist and climate scientist, gave a series of talks at NorthTec's Te Puna o te Mātauranga Marae. Walter tells us that the hydrological cycle drives 95% of the heat dynamics of the planet. Here are some of the topics covered. Video start: pedogenesis – the process of soil formation over time. 06:25 - Human degradation of soil and the atmosphere. 12:05 - Climate change and the need for a grass roots regenerative revolution. 16:03 - Is CO2 the cause or a symptom? 20:40 - Solutions, including controlling wild fires and reducing burning of grasslands. 24:00 - CO2 drives 3.8% of the global heat dynamics. The problem of the ocean as a heat and CO2 sink. 27:50 - The role of the hydrological cycle. 95% of the heat dynamics of the planet is driven by water. 31:55 - How we (mis)use water. 39:30 - Impact on water retention by increasing soil carbon to 3% - longevity of green.

Here is an extract Walter Jehne's presentation on 2 March 2020 at the NorthTec Marae, Whangarei, New Zealand. Walter talks about methane.