I read an article that examined carbon sequestration, a practice in which farmers alter their cultivation methods to store harmful carbon and other greenhouse gasses in the soil on farms instead of letting them out into the air. Wealthy organizations began investing in farmers to adopt these methods, however, the author highlighted data that shows carbon sequestration efforts may not be very effective in combating climate change, which made me question which of the actors involved in this process genuinely care about doing everything they can to stop climate change. One quote from a farmer who adopted carbon sequestration stated “he didn’t adopt ‘carbon smart’ practices like cover-cropping to fight climate change. He did it to build soil, retain water, and make money.” (Popkin). This view is likely representative of many farmers, because while some of them may genuinely care about combating climate change, so much of their life is tied up in competition and making profits, which would understandably be a higher priority for them over fighting climate change in our capitalist economy.

Article: https://thefern.org/2020/03/is-carbon-farming-a-climate-boon-or-boondoggle/

Further, affluent consumers are drawn to climate friendly solutions such as carbon sequestration, but do they care to look into how effective it actually is? Or do they simply commend themselves for doing a good deed while their money could be spent more effectively elsewhere. Leaders in carbon sequestration such as Nori have built their organization around carbon sequestration investment, but will they admit the need to revamp their methods, even at a financial loss to achieve their mission? Eschewing profits to face truths about effective methods to fight climate change is an extremely hard thing to do across every industry in America, it is clear it needs to be done by powerful, wealthy actors. But will anyone care enough to do it?