Excerpt
The anthropogenically induced increase of 146% in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), from 278 ppm in the preindustrial era (circa 1750) to 405.5 ppm in 2017, is presently increasing at the rate of 2.24 ppm y−1 (0.55%) (WMO 2018). This increase, along with those of methane (CH4; from 722 ppb to 1,859 ppb by 257% and increasing at the rate of 0.38% or 6.9 ppb y−1) and nitrous oxide (N2O; from 270 ppb to 330 ppb at the rate of 0.27% or 0.93 ppb y−1) has already caused ~1°C (1.8°F) increase in global temperature since the Industrial Revolution (IPCC 2018) with dire consequences as exemplified by the increase in frequency of extreme events throughout the world. However, there is still a chance to implement the Paris Climate Agreement proposed at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) in 2015 and limit the global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F). To achieve this limit, however, the world must identify noncarbon (C) fuel sources and simultaneously adopt techniques of removing CO2 from the atmosphere or implement negative emission technologies (NET). Carbon sequestration in soil is an important NET option with numerous cobenefits of enhancing agricultural production, improving water resources, and strengthening biodiversity (Lal 2010).
Carbon…
- © 2019 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
