Whereas conventional farming releases CO₂ into the atmosphere, organic farming helps combat global warming by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and incorporating it into the soil. Here's how it works: Organic farmers' use of composted animal manure and cover crops increases the amount of carbon stored in soil. This is a form of carbon sequestration. By contrast, conventional farming typically depletes the organic matter in soil, so it not only sequesters less carbon, but also requires fossil-fuel-intensive fertilizers to supplement the soil. According to the Rodale Institute, approximately a ton and a half of CO₂ per acre-foot per year can be removed from the atmosphere with organic soil. And that doesn't count the CO₂ avoided by doing without energy-intensive chemical fertilizers.