Genetic engineering is already being used to help organisms adapt to rapidly changing climates. Researchers are developing strains of rice, maize and wheat capable of withstanding longer droughts and wetter monsoon seasons. Extreme temperatures are exposing crops to new fungi and pests, which is motivating scientists to genetically engineer disease-resistant cassava, potatoes and cacao.

Roots can be engineered to be sturdier, larger and deeper, researchers at The Harnessing Plants Initiative at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have found. By using a molecule found in avocado and cantaloupe skins, these engineered roots can better resist decomposition, minimizing carbon escape.

And microbes in the soil, too, can be harnessed to mitigate climate change and sequester carbon.

Up to 20% of the beneficial molecules that plants create during photosynthesis is shared through their roots with microbes living in soil. Using genetic engineering, researchers could adjust the communication and interplay between roots and microbial communities, helping to stabilize carbon in the soil — making sure it stays there.