Contributions to Climate Change Solutions from the Soils Perspective.

Globally, agriculture accounts for about 14% of the total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), including 47% of the CH₄ emissions and 84% of the N₂O emissions.  While agriculture contributes to GHG emissions, agriculture currently helps to reduce a portion of total GHG emissions.   Soil management can help mitigate climate change by reducing emissions of CH4 and N2O and enhancing soil C content.  It is estimated that agriculture (cropland and grasslands) can mitigate ~15% of the greenhouse gases emissions.  While soil management offers a short-term solution to help mitigate climate change, the practices that lead to soil C sequestration and reduced GHG emissions can have long-term and permanent benefits for improving soil quality and thus food security and sustainability.  In addition, other environmental benefits are achieved with soil C sequestration, such as improved air and water quality, reduced soil erosion, enhanced water retention, and improved wildlife habitat.  Economic analysis suggest that soil carbon sequestration and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are among the most beneficial and cost effective options available for reducing greenhouse gases, particularly over the next 30 years.  Soil management practices are designed to either to reduce C loss or induce C gains from agricultural soils.