Groundbreaking study proves organic farming counters greenhouse gases

After 23 years of field studies on organic farming practices, researchers at The Rodale Institute® have announced exciting new findings with profound implications in the battle against global warming.

The Rodale Institute’s groundbreaking Farming Systems Trial®, the world’s longest running study of organic farming, has documented that organic soils actually scrub the atmosphere of global warming gases by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and converting it into soil material. This is the first study to differentiate organic farming techniques from conventional agricultural practices for their ability to serve as carbon “sinks.”

“Organic farming is a powerful new tool in the global warming arsenal,” said Anthony Rodale, chairman of the The Rodale Institute. “It puts agriculture into a lead role - in regenerating the environment.”

Through a process called carbon sequestration, plants and soils act as “sinks” for atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon “sequestered” in vegetation and soil is not readily released as carbon dioxide, providing a significant boost in the efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. While carbon helps stimulate plant growth, scientists estimate carbon dioxide may be responsible for more than 80 percent of global warming.