Clean farms can save the climate
Annual carbon emissions from global agriculture can be reduced by as much as 90 percent by 2030, according to a new report released in the US by Climate Focus and California Environmental Associates.
Room for improvement
Annual carbon emissions from global agriculture can be reduced by as much as 90 percent by 2030, according to a new report released by Climate Focus and California Environmental Associates. That would be the equivalent of getting rid of all the cars in the world. The study highlights a range of strategies to mitigate carbon production in agriculture.
Reducing cow methane
Beef and dairy cows may seem sweet and harmless, but the methane they produce when they pass gas damages the atmosphere. This study suggests improving food quality on grazing lands and in factory farms. It's believed this will reduce the cows' gas production and even improve the quality and quantity of beef and dairy products.
Changing dietary habits
The report, called 'Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change in Agriculture' says the most important way to mitigate carbon production in agriculture is to reduce the amount of red meat and dairy people eat. Cattle farms and beef transports produce a lot of methane and carbon which trap heat, raising global temperatures.
More use of 'biochar'
Burying biochar in crop fields is another way to capture and store carbon. Biochar is a type of charcoal produced when biomass burns in an oxygen-free environment. In addition to trapping carbon, it can increase the nutrient load in soil and support better crop yields.
Stop wasting food
The international food system is extremely inefficient, the study reports. Around the world, at least 30 percent of edible food is being wasted due to poor management and ineffective policy.
Using fertilizer more efficiently
According to the report, China and India are using far too much synthetic fertilizer. The US is quite efficient in their fertilizer use. Synthetic fertilizers are created using by-products from the oil industry and are responsible for generating a lot of carbon dioxide.
Improving industrial fertilizer production
In China, coal is burned during the production of fertilizers. The factories are also outdated and inefficient. These two factors result is massive outputs of carbon dioxide. The report calls for China to invest in new equipment and improve energy use within this sector.
Rice releases greenhouse gas
Rice has one of the highest carbon footprints of any crop because wet farming systems produce a lot of methane. Better field management and draining the fields regularly could significantly reduce emissions.
Forests love carbon
Plenty of carbon can be absorbed by trees and shrubs with crops. In humid or tropical highland areas, trees also provide shade and trap rainwater, preventing floods. Better protection of the world's forests could provide the planet with a natural carbon sink.