Over 500,000 acres of grasslands were lost last year to farmland. As the most endangered ecosystem on the planet — according to the International Conservation of Nature — grasslands need protection. In fact, about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by land-use change and degradation. Unlike trees that store most of the carbon in their leaves and branches, grasslands store most of the carbon below ground in their roots. When grasslands are tilled, the root structure is ripped up and all the carbon stored in their roots is released. Cool Effect is working to protect grasslands in Montana and is encouraging other landowners to follow suit.