The Soil Will Save Us

1. Soil: The Forgotten Hero in the Fight Against Climate Change

The soil will save us.

Carbon sequestration potential. Soil has the remarkable ability to absorb and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process, known as carbon sequestration, could potentially mitigate the effects of climate change. Healthy soil, rich in organic matter, can store more carbon than the atmosphere and all plant life combined.

Soil degradation crisis. However, conventional agricultural practices have led to widespread soil degradation, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Over the past century, industrial farming techniques have depleted soil organic matter, reduced biodiversity, and increased erosion. This not only contributes to climate change but also threatens food security and ecosystem health.

Soil restoration as a solution. By adopting practices that restore soil health, we can reverse this trend and harness soil's potential as a carbon sink. These practices include:

• No-till farming
• Cover cropping
• Crop rotation
• Composting
• Holistic grazing management

2. The Intricate Dance of Plants and Soil Microorganisms

Plants leak. And in doing so, they support another world entirely: The world under our feet; the dark kingdom of which we're astoundingly unaware.

Symbiotic relationships. Plants and soil microorganisms have evolved a sophisticated trading network over millennia. Plants provide carbon-rich exudates through their roots, feeding the soil microbes. In return, these microorganisms deliver essential nutrients to the plants and help build soil structure.

Soil food web. This underground ecosystem is incredibly diverse and complex:

• A teaspoon of healthy soil contains billions of microorganisms
• These include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods
• Each plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling, water retention, and carbon storage

Impact on plant health. The health of this soil food web directly affects plant growth and resilience. Plants grown in biologically active soils are:

• More resistant to pests and diseases
• Better able to withstand drought and other stresses
• More nutritious for humans and animals

3. Holistic Management: Revolutionizing Agriculture and Ranching

Nature did it right for millions of years until we came and boogered things up.

Mimicking nature. Holistic management, developed by Allan Savory, aims to mimic natural processes in agriculture and ranching. This approach recognizes that ecosystems evolved with large herds of grazing animals, which played a crucial role in maintaining grassland health.

Key principles:

• Planned grazing: Moving livestock frequently to prevent overgrazing
• Animal impact: Using hoof action to break soil crusts and incorporate organic matter
• Rest periods: Allowing plants sufficient time to recover between grazing events

Benefits of holistic management:

• Increased soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
• Improved water retention and drought resistance
• Enhanced biodiversity
• Increased productivity and profitability for farmers and ranchers

4. No-Till Farming and Cover Crops: Building Soil Health Naturally

We're basically on top of an immense sand dune here.

No-till revolution. Conventional tilling disrupts soil structure and releases stored carbon. No-till farming, by contrast, leaves the soil undisturbed, preserving its structure and biology. This practice:

• Reduces erosion by up to 90%
• Increases water infiltration and retention
• Promotes carbon sequestration
• Saves time and fuel costs for farmers

Cover crop benefits. Planting cover crops during fallow periods or between cash crops provides numerous advantages:

• Protects soil from erosion
• Adds organic matter to the soil
• Suppresses weeds naturally
• Fixes nitrogen (for legume cover crops)
• Improves soil structure and water retention

Synergistic effects. Combining no-till with cover cropping creates a powerful system for building soil health. Farmers like Gabe Brown have demonstrated that these practices can:

• Eliminate or greatly reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
• Increase profits by lowering input costs
• Improve crop yields and resilience to extreme weather events

5. The Carbon Farming Revolution: Turning Soil into a Carbon Sink

Given what we've seen in our experiments, one and a half tons is doable.

Carbon farming potential. Carbon farming refers to agricultural practices that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. Research suggests that widespread adoption of these practices could sequester billions of tons of carbon annually.

Key carbon farming practices:

• No-till agriculture
• Cover cropping and crop rotation
• Compost application
• Agroforestry and silvopasture
• Managed grazing

Economic incentives. Governments and private markets are beginning to recognize the value of soil carbon sequestration:

• Australia's Carbon Farming Initiative
• California's cap-and-trade program
• Voluntary carbon offset markets

These programs provide financial incentives for farmers and ranchers to adopt carbon-sequestering practices, potentially creating a new income stream for agricultural producers.

6. Rethinking Agricultural Policy and Research Priorities

We still operate out of the cultural meme that we humans are superior to everything else in nature, that we're the big-brain mammals and that we can always come up with the technology that's going to be superior to anything nature does.

Policy misalignment. Current agricultural policies often incentivize practices that degrade soil health and contribute to climate change. Subsidies for commodity crops, crop insurance programs, and research funding priorities need to be realigned to support regenerative agriculture.

Research gaps. Despite the potential of soil health practices, research funding has been limited. Key areas needing more attention include:

• Long-term studies on carbon sequestration in different ecosystems
• Economic analyses of regenerative farming systems
• Development of region-specific best practices for soil health

Education and extension. There is a critical need to bridge the gap between soil health research and on-farm implementation. This requires:

• Strengthening agricultural extension services
• Developing farmer-to-farmer learning networks
• Incorporating soil health principles into agricultural education programs

7. Bridging the Gap Between Environmentalists and Agriculturalists

If we had been sitting at the same table 10 years ago, we would have been on opposite ends. And we'd have been sitting there because one of us was suing the other.

Historical conflict. Environmentalists and agriculturalists have often been at odds, viewing each other with suspicion and mistrust. This divide has hindered progress on crucial issues like soil health and climate change mitigation.

Finding common ground. Recent years have seen a growing recognition of shared interests between these groups:

• Both want to protect and enhance the land's productivity
• Both recognize the threat of climate change to agriculture and ecosystems
• Both seek to promote practices that support wildlife and biodiversity

Collaborative initiatives. Partnerships between environmental organizations and agricultural groups are becoming more common:

• The California Rangeland Conservation Coalition
• The Malpai Borderlands Group
• The Nature Conservancy's work with ranchers and farmers

These collaborations demonstrate the potential for win-win solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment.

8. Urban Soil Health: The Unexpected Frontier

There is a lot of soil functioning in urban areas, and, to me, that's a really positive message.

Urban soil potential. While often overlooked, urban soils play a crucial role in ecosystem health and carbon sequestration. Research shows that only 20% of urban landscapes are truly impervious, leaving significant potential for soil improvement.

Benefits of healthy urban soils:

• Improved stormwater management and flood prevention
• Reduced urban heat island effect
• Enhanced biodiversity and wildlife habitat
• Increased carbon sequestration
• Improved air and water quality

Urban soil health strategies:

• Green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, rain gardens)
• Urban tree planting and maintenance
• Community gardens and urban agriculture
• Composting programs
• Reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

By focusing on urban soil health, cities can contribute significantly to climate change mitigation while improving quality of life for residents.

Last updated: November 19, 2024