Anthropogenic activities have greatly perturbed both the carbon and nitrogen cycles, with clear ecological consequences. Successfully management to minimize these impacts is vital to preserving the sustainability of environmental networks and human society. Focusing on China, Xu et al . developed an integrated model for quantifying carbon and nitrogen fluxes and their interactions. By managing them together in an integrated manner, large reductions of carbon and nitrogen could be achieved at lower abatement costs and greater societal benefits than if they were treated separately. —Jesse Smith