Pollution has transboundry effects and so does carbon. Once carbon enters the atmospheric pool, one cannot differentiate between the carbon generated from any source, country, or region. Nowadays, carbon emissions are one of the major threats to food security and sustainability. Thus, there should be balance between sink and source. Everyone is responsible for disturbing this balance in one way or the other. It is obvious that developing countries are taking lead in altering this balance—on the one hand, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly food security for an increasing population (SDG #2), and on the other hand, generating more carbon (SDG #13). It is believed that the huge change in demographic pressure is the driving force behind rising carbon emissions. Indeed, intensive agricultural practices are being adopted to fulfill the demands of an increased population, leading to more carbon emissions. However, wars also have devastating impacts and cause irreparable damage to humanity, resources, and Mother Nature, due to significant carbon and GHG emissions. The famous proverb “what goes around comes around” is truly implemented in terms of carbon as the current global climate change is reflecting the effects of carbon emissions. It is the need of the hour to think wisely…
The effects of these raised carbon levels are to be faced by everyone, and, therefore, efforts should be made by everyone to mitigate the harms and, of course, the release of carbon from soils. In this regard, the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration is taking leads to protect Mother Nature for the present and safe guarding her for future generations by providing widely adoptable, flexible models of carbon sequestration along with practical applications. The mission of the Lal Carbon Center is to transform agriculture and make it a part of the solution. As part of the Center’s team, I feel lucky enough to get equipped with an understanding of the basics of carbon sequestration that need to be implemented in my home country, Pakistan, with true spirit once I am back. Translating the science of soil carbon sequestration for the restoration of soil health is a high priority, especially in the developing countries of South Asia, which are faced with the common challenge of accelerated soil degradation and ecosystem desertification.
Sincerely,
Dr. Noor Us Sabah
Assistant Professor
Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences
College of Agriculture
University of Sargodha, Pakistan