Marginal Improvements to Agricultural Soils Can Help Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
Introduction
New research suggests that making marginal improvements to agricultural soils worldwide can contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by helping to mitigate global heating.
The Importance of Farming Techniques in Carbon Storage
Farming techniques that improve long-term fertility and yields have the potential to store more carbon in soils. However, these techniques are often overlooked in favor of intensive methods that rely heavily on artificial fertilizers, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The Potential Impact of Improved Farming Techniques
Recent data indicates that storing just 1 percent more carbon in approximately half of the world’s agricultural soils could absorb around 31 gigatons of carbon dioxide annually. This amount is close to the 32 gigaton gap between current planned emissions reduction and the necessary carbon cuts by 2030 to limit global heating to 1.5C.
Feasibility of Carbon Storage in Agricultural Soils
Jacqueline McGlade, former chief scientist at the UN Environment Program and former executive director of the European Environment Agency, conducted estimates on the feasibility of storing more carbon in the top 30 centimeters of agricultural soils. She found that this approach is feasible in many regions with currently degraded soils.
Commercial Application of Soil Data
McGlade now leads a commercial organization called Downforce Technologies, which sells soil data to farmers. By utilizing publicly available global data, satellite images, and lidar technology, Downforce Technologies can assess the carbon storage capacity of individual fields.
The Role of Soils in Climate Change
McGlade emphasizes that soils play a crucial role in climate change, but this importance is often overlooked outside the farming sector. By changing farming practices, soils can become carbon negative, absorbing carbon and reducing farming costs.
Transition Period and Long-Term Benefits
While farmers may face short-term costs during the transition away from intensive fertilizer use, McGlade suggests that after a period of two to three years, yields will improve, and soils will become healthier.
Restoration Costs and Carbon Credits
The estimated cost of restoring 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) of currently degraded farmland in Kenya is approximately $1 million. Restoring degraded farmland can benefit around 300,000 people living in the area. Additionally, Downforce data can enable farmers to sell carbon credits based on the amount of carbon dioxide their fields absorb.
Carbon Dioxide Removal and Agricultural Practices
As the world approaches the critical threshold of 1.5C of global heating, carbon dioxide removal technologies and techniques are gaining interest. Arable farmers can sequester more carbon by altering their crop rotation, planting cover crops, or using direct drilling methods. Livestock farmers can improve their soils by growing more native grasses.
The Role of Hedgerows in Carbon Sequestration
Hedgerows play a significant role in sequestering carbon in the soil due to their extensive underground networks of mycorrhizal fungi and microbes. Restoring and maintaining hedgerows can improve biodiversity, reduce topsoil erosion, and prevent harmful agricultural runoff, a major contributor to river pollution.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil | Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development | Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
The specific targets under the identified SDGs are:
- Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems (SDG 2)
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (SDG 13)
- Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil (SDG 15)
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17)
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture (SDG 2)
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning (SDG 13)
- Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area (SDG 15)
- Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks (SDG 17)
These indicators can help measure the progress in implementing sustainable food production systems, integrating climate change measures into national policies, combating desertification and restoring degraded land, and enhancing global partnerships for sustainable development.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into their national policies, strategies, and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil | Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development | Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: grist.org
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