Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
5. The sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide as organic carbon in the soil attracts attention as an alternate way to help stem the rate of greenhouse gas growth and associated changes in our climate. Elaborate. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
India’s forests and soil can potentially store an additional 7 billion tonnes of carbon, a new study has estimated. This puts India among the top 10 countries with additional carbon storage capacity, the analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential of soil as storage of carbon in the fight against climate change.
Directive word:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Introduction:
Begin by defining Soil carbon sequestration.
Body:
First, write about Soil carbon sequestration is a process in which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil carbon pool. This process is primarily mediated by plants through photosynthesis, with carbon stored in the form of SOC.
Next, write about the benefits associated with above and steps that are needed to ensure it utilised to its full potential.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
