What if we told you that a solution to mitigating climate change lies right beneath your feet? Many are surprised to learn that soil is the world’s second-largest carbon sink, second only to the ocean. A carbon sink absorbs and stores more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases, helping to reduce the effects of climate change by lowering atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Soil serves as the foundation of ecosystems, making it crucial to understand its role and protect its health (ClientEarth, 2024). Unfortunately, climate change and environmental degradation have severely impacted every aspect of Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, including soil. Thankfully, through proper stewardship, soil degradation can be reversed, and Hawai‘i is home to many dedicated individuals committed to this cause, including Megan Gonsalves, conservation planner from the O‘ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council.
Gonsalves researches soil carbon and modeling as part of her master’s studies at University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. “I chose to study soil as it holds the potential to increase climate resilience through equitable pathways,” said Gonsalves. “By improving soil health, we can mitigate climate change, improve food security, foster more resilient communities, protect marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and so much more.”
Understanding the importance of soil health sustainability, ATA began to dig deeper into understanding soil at the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail (KRT) with help from Gonsalves and the Punahou Sustainability Fellows. The program participants, composed of 22 high school Fellows from across the state and 11 Junior School (grade 5) Sustainability Fellows, helped test the soil along KRT. One intriguing finding was low potassium levels. Potassium deficiency is known to cause yellowing along the edges of leaves—a phenomenon observed in several of the ‘Ilie‘e planted along the trail.
Nurturing the soil beneath our feet is a crucial step in ATA’s journey towards a sustainable future, and ATA is grateful for the help from experts like Gonsalves to help guide us in this quest.
