Research on Effects of Increasing Temperature on Carbon in the Soil

In Margaret Torn's research, the main focus is on the effect increases in temperature have on carbon in the soil. Recent increases in temperature have scientists and researchers like Torn wondering if it will have an impact on the amount carbon retained in soil. With anthropocentric activity accountable for vast quantities of carbon emissions, it is crucial to examine the increase in temperature with respect to carbon retention in soil. Based on my notes on the panelist presentation, I was able to identify this issue as to be positive feedback as it is defying the status quo in the environment and affecting global temperature.

In my perspective, we (humans) are the ones responsible for the change this positive feedback loop. Although there are no formal conclusions yet, I know for a fact an increase in temperature is not good overall. Through our frequently, immense fossil fuel emissions we are changing our environmental status quo, which is in result affecting our climate and the carbon cycle between the land and the atmosphere.

By reading scholarly articles on Torn's research, I was able to further understand the issue she is trying to address with regards to carbon emissions and soil. In one of the contributions Torn makes on an article, she comments on the uncertainty of the life cycle greenhouse gas induced by the increase in biofuel emissions ( Plevin, et al 1). In a my own point-of-view, I observe the difficult this imposes on researchers to be able to come up with any solid conclusions if they do not even have firm quantities of emissions to study.

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Additionally, in another scholarly article, Margaret contributes on commitment several countries made on cutting emissions largely by 2050. Although this has no formal contribution to Torn's research, cutting carbon emissions is always a good thing for the environment overall. However, I believe the proposed date to reduce carbon emissions is too far out. With the constant increases in temperature, perhaps the 2050.

•    "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Biofuels' Indirect Land Use Change Are Uncertain but May Be Much Greater than Previously Estimated." – Environmental Science & Technology (ACS Publications). N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.
•    James H. Williams 1,2, Andrew DeBenedictis1, Rebecca Ghanadan1,3, Amber Mahone1, Jack Moorel, William R. Morrow III4, Snuller Pricel, Margaret S. Torn3,*1
•    Energy and Environmental Economics, 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA.2M, By James H. Williams, Andrew DeBenedictis, Rebecca Ghanadan, Amber Mahone, Jack Moore, William R. Morrow III, Snuller Price, Margaret S. Torn, Science06 53-59 Jan 2012 :, and Letters. 
•    "The Technology Path to Deep Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cuts by 2050: The Pivotal Role of Electricity." Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.