The fragility of soils, the thin layer of the earth which is the foundation of nearly everything growing and almost all that we eat, puts the “sustainability” of industrialized agriculture into question.
4 December 2019 (UN Environment)* — Soil’s contribution to climate change, through the oxidation of soil carbon, is important, and soils—and thus agriculture—can play a major role in mitigating climate change.
Photo by Neil Palmer, CIAT
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The Most Revolutionary Act 
But of course, but I take issue with institutional solutions to institutionally created problems. The over-production of food by industrial mono-agriculture for export and skimming of profits by commodity and stock marketeers, as well as such practices as ethanol for cars. all contribute to soil depletion. Small holders know how to maintain their soil much more sustainability, because they have to. If the answers come, they will not come from government and institutions, but in spite of them.
Along the same lines, I’m sure you’ve noticed how the major agricultural industries, major chemical industries, and major pharmaceutical industries are consolidating world-wide. Bayer/Montsanto, Dow/DuPont, and Syngenta/Chem China, to name three. If there is a conspiracy to control through controlling the food and medication supply, we are looking at them right now.
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My take on the article, Katherine, is that it speaks really strongly against industrial agriculture, not only because it is systematically destroying topsoil but because of its major contribution to carbon emissions. My understanding of what they’re saying is that truly solving the climate crisis is for the industrial north to return to traditional methods farming methods. Fortunately 80% of the world’s farmers still employ these traditional methods.
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