How are changes in climate and the health of soil connected?
Soil plays a major role in the carbon cycle and the health of ecosystems. In this episode, Ami explores how soils act as important carbon sinks. She then learns how human activities have shifted this balance and what that means for the atmosphere and climate. Through conversations with scientists, farmers, and Indigenous knowledge holders, this episode examines how land management practices can impact soil health and natural systems that can help restore balance over time.
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Questions to consider
Why is the carbon cycle a big deal when it comes to climate change?
How do sustainable agriculture practices impact you, your family, your friends, and your community?
What are carbon sources and sinks in the carbon cycle? What happens when the cycle is out of balance?
Meet the Changemakers
Get to know the historians. Each historian in this episode has a card with information about that historian.
There are 3 cards to read.
Nate Lawrence
Ecosystem Scientist
I am an ecosystem scientist at the Savanna Institute, an organization that works to bring more trees to our farms and food systems. My job is to study how those trees can benefit the environment.
Daniel Hayden
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am a plant pathologist, which means I study how plants get sick and reasons why.
Rylee Nelson
Youth Farmer
I improve our soil and Earth by grazing livestock.
Ask questions!
Go deeper with this episode. These video extras extend the story with real-world examples, expert insights, and close-up looks at the science and solutions behind the ideas you just explored.
Click on a tab above to begin.
What does a slice of soil reveal about climate change?
How can adding trees to farms make soil and crops stronger?
View Transcript: English Transcript
Quote from a historian
“We’re hoping to implement different types of ag practices, produce our food a little bit differently. And if we get it right, the soil health that we’ve lost, we can actually start to regain.”
Nate Lawrence
Bibliography
“Agroforestry Is a Top Solution to Cool the Climate.” Savanna Institute, Savanna Institute, www.savannainstitute.org/climate-change. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
“Agroforestry Practices.” Savanna Institute, Savanna Institute, www.savannainstitute.org/agroforestry-practices. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
“Doe Explains…the Carbon Cycle.” Energy.Gov, US Department of Energy, www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsthe-carbon-cycle. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
“Future of Climate Change.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 12 Aug. 2025, www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/future-climate-change.
Galbraith, Greg. “Build Soil Health with Grazing.” Agri-View, Agri-View, 10 May 2024, agupdate.com/agriview/news/dairy/build-soil-health-with-grazing/article_ec18c788-0c8a-11ef-ab4f-9b9a055574cb.html.
Hayden, Daniel. “Five Fascinating Facets of the Indigenous ‘three Sisters’ Cropping Method.” GROW Magazine, College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, 24 Oct. 2024, grow.cals.wisc.edu/departments/front-list/five-fascinating-facets-of-the-indigenous-three-sisters-cropping-method.
“Soil Health and Climate Change.” Sierra Club, Sierra Club, www.sierraclub.org/grassroots-network/food-agriculture/soil-health-and-climate-change. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Is Ocean Acidification?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1 Aug. 2012, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/acidification.html.
“What Is a Carbon Sink?” Client Earth, Client Earth, www.clientearth.org/latest/news/what-is-a-carbon-sink. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Episode Credits
Producer
Kylie Compe
Story
David Boffa
Ian Glodich
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Ryan Hendricks
Script
Kylie Compe
Director of Photography
Ian Glodich
Videography
David Boffa
Ian Glodich
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Editors
David Boffa
Kylie Compe
Host
Ami Eckard-Lee
Graphics and Design
Charles Barrows
Animations
Ian Glodich
Illustrations
Cam Erhardt
Special Guests
Nate Lawrence
Daniel Hayden
Rylee Nelson
Translation Services
Rev
Captions
Catie Pfeifer
Educator Support Materials
Mia Forslund
Jen Kobylecky
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Web Development
John Vieth
Digital Content
Sigrid Peterson
Executive Producer
Ryan Hendricks
Director of Education
Megan Monday
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Special Thanks
Savanna Institute
Project Advisors
Kevin Anderson
Science Education Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Leigh Kohlmann
Independent Science Education Consultant
Oakfield, WI
Dolly Ledin
Wisconsin’s Green Fire
Madison, WI
Michael Notaro
Center for Climatic Research
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Victoria Rydberg-Nania
Environmental Education and Service Learning Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Funding provided by
Dr. Annette Beyer-Mears in memory of Howard & Nelle Weiss, Virginia Graves and Peter Tropman
Friends of PBS Wisconsin
Focus Fund for Education