Climate change is THE single biggest threat facing our planet, and we (humanity) hold a unique power to influence the global climate crisis right in our own backyard. That’s right! Our gardens, specifically the soil, can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change on our planet.
By understanding and adopting sustainable practices, we can all, individually and as communities, contribute positively to the environment and help combat climate change.
Carbon sequestration
An essential concept to grasp when understanding plants’ involvement in climate change in your garden is carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is a natural process by which plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it as carbon in the soil.
This not only helps mitigate greenhouse gases in our atmosphere but also enriches our garden soils, making your plants healthier and more resilient for future growth. Healthier soils can store more carbon!
Today, carbon is at a deficit in the soil and a surplus in the atmosphere due to human activities, which have tipped what was once a balanced cycle. We are producing more carbon emissions than the planet can absorb into naturally occurring carbon sinks in the oceans and soils. This imbalance highlights the critical need for effective carbon storage solutions.
In natural systems, carbon storage plays a vital role in maintaining the balance between carbon released into the atmosphere and carbon absorbed by the earth. However, industrial activities and deforestation have increased carbon emissions, surpassing the planet’s ability to store this carbon effectively. To combat this, we need to focus on carbon sequestration and carbon storage in soil, which can help absorb excess atmospheric CO2 and support carbon zero goals.
Achieving carbon zero means balancing the amount of carbon we emit with the amount we can effectively store or offset. By enhancing soil health through sustainable practices and using products that promote carbon storage, we can restore some of the carbon deficit in soils and contribute to stabilizing atmospheric carbon levels.
At Roots, Shoots & Fruits, our focus on environmental products like organic fertilisers and Mycorrhizal fungi supports this goal by improving soil’s capacity for carbon storage and promoting a sustainable, carbon zero future.
What does this mean for gardeners?
Years of farming utilising excessive amounts of synthetic chemicals has damaged approximately one-third of the world’s soil. This has led to a decline in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and Soil Organic Matter (SOM), which are crucial for supporting and nurturing plant life.
Addressing carbon deficiencies in the soil and finding ways to sequester carbon back into the ground through sustainable practices can help restore the balance of carbon in the environment.
Here at Roots, Shoots, & Fruits, our flagship product, Rootella, which contains Mycorrhizal fungi, plays a big role in carbon sequestration!
Mycorrhizae is a group of fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots and can increase a plant’s root structure by 100 times, allowing the plant to absorb far more nutrients and water. As the plant absorbs CO2, it travels into the soil down to the roots and into the millions of kilometres of mycorrhizal fungal extensions in the ground. These organisms regulate carbon storage and effectively store carbon for many years in the proteins they secrete.
Mycorrhizal fungi are an essential environmental product that enhances soil health and promotes sustainable gardening practices. Adding mycorrhizal fungi to your garden, at time of planting or with your seeds, is a super simple way to have a positive impact on your environment, at home and globally!
Shop our Mycorrhizal fungi product, Rootella, and do your part to restore the carbon balance, here.
