The Hidden Carbon Vault
Beneath our feet lies Earth's largest terrestrial carbon reservoir
Your Progress
Section 1 of 5Earth's Carbon Basement
Soils contain 2,500 gigatons of carbon—three times more than the atmosphere and four times more than all plants combined.
This carbon exists as decomposed organic matter (humus), root exudates, microbial biomass, and charcoal fragments. When managed properly, soils can sequester additional carbon. When degraded through intensive farming, erosion, or conversion to cropland, they release it back to atmosphere as CO₂.
📈 The Opportunity
Regenerative practices can increase soil carbon by 0.4-1.0% annually. On global croplands and degraded lands (5 billion hectares), this equals 2-5 Gt CO₂/year removal—equivalent to 5-15% of current emissions.
📉 The Loss
Since agriculture began, soils have lost 50-70% of original carbon stocks. Tilling, monocultures, and bare soil accelerate oxidation. Annually, degraded soils release ~4 Gt CO₂—making soil restoration critical.
Interactive Soil Profile Explorer
Click layers to explore carbon distribution through soil depths
O Horizon (Organic Layer)
Fresh organic matter—leaf litter, decomposing plants, active microbes
💡 Why This Matters
Unlike engineered CDR requiring infrastructure, soil carbon sequestration uses existing farmland and proven agricultural techniques. Co-benefits include increased yields, drought resilience, reduced fertilizer needs, and improved food security—making it economically viable for farmers worldwide.