[KnightOfWords]

I'm certainly no expert, but topsoil depletion scares more than any other environmental problem - it can take a few centuries to replace an inch. Even in the absence of climate change we'd be heading for trouble but increasing temperatures are only going to increase the rate of depletion.

[collyw]

I am no expert either, but you can make compost pretty easily in far less time. Its good for growing plants.

Could composting on a large scale be a solution?

[thatcat]

No, compost is just organic material. Good top soil has <10%-20% organics by volume. Also, since the organics in compost will break down over time, they will need to be re-applied. Sand and clay are needed for structure and minerals.