Soil solutions for climate change and economic resilience

By Andi Anderson

Farmers face increasing challenges due to climate change, with droughts, floods, and storms causing billions in economic losses annually. However, a sustainable solution lies beneath our feet—soil carbon storage.

Professor Jerome Dumortier from Indiana University highlights the role farmers can play in mitigating climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in soil. This practice not only combats climate change but also enhances soil health, water retention, and erosion control.

One effective method is cover cropping, where farmers plant crops during off-seasons to capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This approach protects and enriches the soil while reducing environmental damage.

Indiana, with 80% of its land as farms, forests, and wetlands, has vast potential to adopt soil carbon storage practices. By 2050, Indiana could remove 5.4 million tons of carbon dioxide annually through improved soil management.

Janet McCabe, former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deputy administrator, emphasizes the economic impact of extreme weather on agriculture. Rising temperatures and precipitation are already increasing production costs and lowering yields. Without sustainable solutions, farmers may face insurmountable financial challenges.

The “Roads to Removal” report estimates that nationwide soil management could remove 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050, creating 440,000 jobs in the process. Policies like incentives for carbon removal—such as $40 per ton—can provide farmers with an additional revenue stream while supporting climate goals.

By investing in soil carbon storage and supporting programs like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, policymakers can help farmers combat climate change while ensuring the sustainability of American agriculture.

The practice offers a cost-effective way to prevent future weather-related economic disasters and create a more resilient agricultural industry.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock