Farming and Climate (v1.0)

In 2020, the total annual emissions from agriculture (both crops and animals) worldwide were about 5.9 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent. In just the US this total is 10% of all its greenhouse gas emissions (livestock is 40% of that). I have a separate blog on animal farming and its contribution to greenhouse gases (in 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated that livestock production accounted for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions). Methane emissions from livestock itself are estimated to be approximately 2.2 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent, accounting for about 80% of agricultural methane emissions. Farming of crops also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, Nitrous Oxide and Methane). Key contributors are soil tilling, fertilizer production and use, and rice cultivation. 

Nitrous Oxide is a potent greenhouse gas. Natural sources create 62% of total emissions. Important human sources of nitrous oxide come from agriculture, fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. Human-related sources are responsible for 38% of total emissions. Nitrous oxide comprises roughly 6% of greenhouse gas emissions, and about three-quarters of those N2O emissions come from agriculture – primarily farming. Today, scientists are looking at diverse ways to treat the soil or adjust farming practices to cut back on N2O production. "Anything that can be done to improve fertilizer use efficiency would be big," says Michael Castellano, an agroecologist and soil scientist at Iowa State University.


Activities like tilling fields, planting crops, fertilizing, and shipping farm products account for around 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions come from direct greenhouse gas emissions (for example from rice production). and from indirect emissions. Rice cultivation is a large human-induced source of the potent greenhouse gas methane (contributing 1.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions) and rice is the world’s second-most produced staple crop. With regards to other direct emissions, nitrous oxide emissions I referred to earlier are a major factor. The manufacture and use of nitrogen fertilizer contributes around 5% of all global greenhouse gas emissions (full life cycle). Indirect emissions on the other hand come from the conversion of non-agricultural land such as forests into agricultural land. Furthermore, there is also fossil fuel consumption for transport and fertilizer production. 

 

Some things that can be done to cut emissions from farming are:

 

1.  Efficient Fertilizer Use:

o    Precision Agriculture: Using technology to apply fertilizers precisely where needed reduces nitrogen losses and minimizes nitrous oxide emissions.

o    Cover Crops: Planting cover crops during fallow periods can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance nutrient cycling.

2.  Energy Efficiency:

o    Renewable Energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources (like solar or wind) for on-farm operations reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

o    Efficient Machinery: Using energy-efficient equipment and practices can lower emissions.

3.  Soil Carbon Sequestration:

o    Conservation Tillage: Reducing or eliminating tillage helps retain soil carbon.

o    Agroforestry: Integrating trees and crops can enhance carbon sequestration.

4.  Crop Selection and Rotation:

o    Choose Climate-Resilient Crops: Some crops are less resource-intensive and better suited to specific climates.

o    Diversify Crop Rotation: Rotating crops can improve soil health and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.

If you are a farmer, there are things you can do!! Also moving to organic farming and permaculture significantly helps in improving quality of soil and reduce nitrous oxide emissions. 

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