Energy

Is Soil our Secret Weapon Against Climate Change?

Mon, 2016-11-14 09:03

[...] Soil is one of a farmer’s greatest assets. It is a critical component of the farming system, making a vital contribution to food security, effective water and energy utilization. An efficient use of soil can deliver multiple benefits in addition to mitigating climate change effects.

Some estimates suggest soil can store up to 1,000 kgs of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide per hectare of land. In a process known as carbon sequestration, plants “breathe” in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), and store it via their roots in the ground, as soil organic carbon. This game-changing approach could offset up to 15% of global fossil-fuel emissions, complementing crucial efforts to decarbonise the energy and transport sectors.

And it’s not just carbon sequestration that makes soil such an important ally in the fight against climate change.

[Full article here | Photo by Elvis Ripley]

soil
  • Have your say here!Leave your comments, ask your questions and share your ideasIf you have already registered in our website,
    Log in and you are ready for leaving your message    If you haven't already registered in our website,
    please create a new account by clicking Register

Good practices and European projects map

@AgoraMedSpring

Good practices and European projects map

About the author

Medspring Agora team's picture

The Euro-Mediterranean AGORA is a way to engage the civil society in the institutional and policy dialogue on research and innovation with the aim of becoming an integral part of the decision making and governance processes.

The Agora is an important component of the broader MEDSPRING project, supported by the European Union with the aim of strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue and cooperation on research and innovation.

Copyright

Licence

Also on MedSpring

Milestones for development of Conservation Agriculture discussed in Tunisia

Milestones for development of Conservation Agriculture discussed in Tunisia
The representatives of more than 10 public administrations and agencies representing a wide range of agricultural institutions,...

Pollution, desertification and women’s rights linked

Pollution, desertification and women’s rights linked
Pollution and desertification have a disproportionate impact on women and children, the Sisterhood is Global Institute (SIGI)...

Learning Route in Morocco and Egypt

Learning Route in Morocco and Egypt
[View the story "Learning Route in Morocco and Egypt" on Storify]

Tag cloud

agriculture Algeria biodiversity brokerage climate change cooperation COP22 desalination Drought egypt EMEG energy Energy efficiency environment euromed family farming food food security greece Hackathon infographic innovation interview Irrigation jordan Lebanon livestreaming Malta Mediterranean MENA migration morocco nexus nile olive Organic farming palestine permaculture renewable energy renewables report research small farmers smart agriculture soil solar solar energy spain sustainability Syria training tunisia waste water water water management water scarcity water security Wind wind energy women
More