People I (Mostly) Admire 74. Getting Our Hands Dirty
May 7, 2022
Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, a leading soil scientist and nominee for a key role in the Department of Energy's Office of Science, discusses the profound importance of soil for both climate health and agricultural sustainability. She emphasizes the urgent need for public awareness about soil degradation and its critical role in carbon storage. The conversation highlights the impacts of thawing permafrost on climate change, innovative carbon capture methods, and the challenges of balancing educational policies with student accountability, intertwined with personal stories of cultural identity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sadhguru's Influence
- Steve Levitt's interest in soil science stemmed from Sadhguru's soil health campaign.
- This led him to Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, a leading soil scientist.
Soil's Thin Veil
- Compared to the Earth's total depth, the soil layer is incredibly thin.
- It averages about six feet deep, a mere fraction of the Earth's kilometers-deep interior.
Soil's Carbon Capacity
- Soil stores twice the carbon of the atmosphere and all vegetation combined.
- This makes it a crucial element in the climate change equation.