A study estimates that human land use over the past 12,000 years has caused a soil carbon debt of 133 Pg C in the top 2 meters of soil. Using a machine learning model based on global soil organic carbon (SOC) data and the HYDE land use dataset, researchers found that agriculture has led to significant SOC loss, with grazing and cropland contributing equally. Hotspots of SOC loss were identified in major cropping regions and degraded grazing areas, suggesting targeted restoration efforts. The analysis shows that while agricultural land use generally leads to SOC loss, there are spatial variations, with some areas showing net gains. The study highlights the importance of understanding these patterns for effective climate mitigation strategies. However, the estimated SOC loss may be conservative, as other factors like soil degradation and land use intensity also influence SOC levels. The results indicate that soil carbon sequestration could potentially offset a significant portion of emissions, but the actual potential is limited by various constraints. The study underscores the need for policies targeting SOC restoration and the importance of integrating historical soil data for more accurate models.A study estimates that human land use over the past 12,000 years has caused a soil carbon debt of 133 Pg C in the top 2 meters of soil. Using a machine learning model based on global soil organic carbon (SOC) data and the HYDE land use dataset, researchers found that agriculture has led to significant SOC loss, with grazing and cropland contributing equally. Hotspots of SOC loss were identified in major cropping regions and degraded grazing areas, suggesting targeted restoration efforts. The analysis shows that while agricultural land use generally leads to SOC loss, there are spatial variations, with some areas showing net gains. The study highlights the importance of understanding these patterns for effective climate mitigation strategies. However, the estimated SOC loss may be conservative, as other factors like soil degradation and land use intensity also influence SOC levels. The results indicate that soil carbon sequestration could potentially offset a significant portion of emissions, but the actual potential is limited by various constraints. The study underscores the need for policies targeting SOC restoration and the importance of integrating historical soil data for more accurate models.