[Intro]
Can you dig it?
Dig it
Dig it
What can it hurt, digging in the dirt?
[Verse 1]
In the dirt, beneath our feet
Lies a secret, hidden deep
Carbon captured, in the ground
A silent savior, all around
Going down, down, down
[(Chorus]
In the dirt, in the soil
Lies the power to uncoil
Carbon stored, in its hold
A treasure waiting to unfold
[Break]
What can it hurt, digging in the dirt?
Can you dig it?
Dig it
Dig it
[Verse 2]
But beware, for there’s a tale
Of emissions, methane’s wail
From the soil, it may rise
Adding to our warming skies
Self-demise, realize
[Chorus]
In the dirt, in the soil
Lies the power to uncoil
Carbon stored, in its hold
A treasure waiting to unfold
[Break]
What can it hurt, digging in the dirt?
Can you dig it?
Dig it
Dig it
Piggly, dig, dig
[Bridge]
Feedback, back, back, loops
Feedback loops, in soil’s embrace
Changing primate picks up pace
Water cycles, altered, askew
Soil’s role, vital, so true, true, true
[Break]
What can it hurt, digging in the dirt?
Can you dig it?
Dig it
Dig it
Piggly, dig, dig
[Chorus]
In the dirt, in the soil
Lies the power to uncoil
Carbon stored, in its hold
A treasure waiting to unfold
[Break]
What can it hurt, digging in the dirt?
Can you dig it?
[Outro]
So let’s cherish, this precious land
With sustainable, nurturing hand
For in the dirt, lies the key
To a home, that’s healthy and free
[Ending]
[Silence]
A SCIENCE LESSON
Why might soil be the most important piece of the climate change puzzle?
The potential for systemic climate risk is significant: The most vulnerable states and communities will remain disproportionately impacted by a warming world, exacerbating existing inequities. Research indicates that projected population density will intersect with extreme temperatures exceeding 29°C mean annual temperature (MAT), a condition currently limited to only 0.8% of Earth’s land surface area. Under the medium-high scenario of emissions and population growth, it is projected that by 2070, approximately 2 billion people will inhabit these extremely hot areas. Presently, only 30 million individuals reside in such regions, predominantly within the Sahara Desert and Gulf Coast.
Soil plays a crucial role in the climate change puzzle for several reasons:
- Carbon Storage: Soil is one of the largest reservoirs of carbon on Earth, storing more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined. Healthy soils contain organic matter, such as plant residues and microbial biomass, which sequester carbon from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. Preventing soil degradation and promoting practices that enhance soil carbon sequestration, such as agroforestry and no-till farming, can help mitigate climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Soil is also a source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Activities such as deforestation, agricultural practices, and land use changes can disturb soil carbon stocks and release stored carbon into the atmosphere. Additionally, certain microbial processes in soils produce methane and nitrous oxide, potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Managing land use and adopting sustainable soil management practices can help reduce emissions from soils and mitigate climate change.
- Feedback loops: Changes in climate can impact soil processes and properties, leading to feedback loops that either amplify or mitigate climate change. For example, warmer temperatures can accelerate the decomposition of organic matter in soils, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and further exacerbating global warming. Melting permafrost in polar regions can release large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, which can further accelerate climate change. Understanding these feedback mechanisms is essential for predicting future climate change scenarios and developing effective mitigation strategies.
- Water Cycle Regulation: Soil plays a critical role in regulating the water cycle by storing and releasing water, influencing evaporation rates, and affecting precipitation patterns. Changes in land use, such as deforestation or urbanization, can alter soil properties and disrupt the water cycle, leading to changes in regional climate patterns. Healthy soils with high organic matter content have better water retention capacity, which can help mitigate the impacts of droughts and floods associated with climate change.
Overall, soil is a vital component of the Earth’s climate system, influencing both the drivers and impacts of climate change. By adopting sustainable soil management practices and preserving soil health, we can help mitigate climate change, enhance ecosystem resilience, and ensure food security for future generations.