Name
Climate change, land loss, and displacement: reimagining landbanks for resilient biosolids recycling
Description
Climate change is rapidly reducing the land available for biosolids recycling through drought, flooding, erosion, and competing land uses. In Southern Africa, I have seen this firsthand through my work on climate displacement and disaster risk with communities facing land pressure from both environmental shocks and population movement. As viable land for agriculture shrinks, biosolids programs face a triple challenge: environmental compliance, public acceptance, and land security. This presentation reframes land as a climate adaptation issue, not just an operational one. I propose a three-part approach to expand options and reduce risk: First, integrate climate vulnerability mapping into landbank planning so programs identify and secure resilient land before drought or floods make it unusable. Second, diversify beyond land-intensive recycling by linking biosolids to climate-smart technologies like thermal treatment, pyrolysis, and biochar, which reduce land dependency while creating new products and markets. Third, center community engagement by treating affected populations as partners in land decisions, especially in areas experiencing climate displacement where land conflicts are most acute. The goal is to move biosolids programs from reactive land loss to proactive land strategy. By connecting climate displacement, land planning, and circular technology, we can secure long-term recycling options, reduce conflict over land, and position biosolest as part of climate adaptation rather than in competition with it. Conclusion Biosolids programs can only stay resilient if we treat land as a climate adaptation challenge, not just an operational asset. By mapping climate risks, diversifying to low-land technologies, and partnering with displaced communities, we secure recycling options while turning land pressure into innovation.
Authors
Malon Muronzi, Young Climate Activism in Zimbabwe