They estimate that despite the fact that the earth's soils currently contain 2.4 trillion tonnes of gases in the form of organic carbon, there is still capacity for more. Researchers from the US and Scotland published a study in Nature journal suggesting that by making some adjustments to agricultural methods, an additional 8 billion tonnes of carbon could be stored. Dave Reay, a geoscientist and expert in carbon management at Edinburgh University, emphasizes the importance of maximizing the potential of soils as a key ally in the fight against climate change. He highlights that soils are already significant carbon reservoirs, and by improving their management, their capacity can be further expanded. The availability of data on soil has been ignored for too long as a tool to address climate change. Issues with accurate measurement and reporting have hindered progress in climate-smart soil management. However, with the increase in big data on soils globally and advancements in understanding and modeling, the time is now for soil to become a major player in addressing climate change. Researchers have long recognized the significant role soils play, identifying factors that control soil carbon capacity and testing climate models to monitor soil emissions. The scientists have conducted experiments on ways to protect soil carbon and have consistently warned about the organic carbon stored in permafrost. They have also found a correlation between man-made greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of global agriculture thousands of years ago. According to their calculations, land use contributes to about a quarter of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions, with 10-14% coming directly from agriculture. However, they believe that better management of the Earth's soil, which holds three times more organic carbon than the atmosphere, could also help decrease emissions. The key is to preserve healthy ecosystems, as unmanaged forests and grasslands effectively store carbon. Wetlands lose soil carbon when drained for agriculture, but can regain it when restored. Sustainable agricultural practices can also help conserve carbon while still producing food. Farmers can grow crops with deeper roots, use charcoal-based composts, and implement more efficient practices suited to their specific crops and land. Tools like the 'Cool Farm Tool' can assist farmers in measuring and controlling emissions from their land. A variety of responses, including crop rotation, low tillage, land restoration, and agroforestry, could collectively make a significant impact on soil health. This "all-of-the-above" approach, supported by science, government policies, and innovative strategies, has the potential to help soils sequester a large portion of the emissions produced annually from burning fossil fuels, according to researchers.