A groundbreaking study shows that soil emissions contribute to 15 percent of global warming, primarily through CO2, N2O, and CH4, driven by agricultural practices and the demand for food. The findings stress the need for strategies that reconcile increased food production with reduced greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate targets.
Recent research has revealed that soil, a crucial component in food production, also significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. This pioneering study determined that emissions originating from soil account for approximately 15 percent of the global rise in climate warming. Mainly resulting from agricultural practices and increased food demands, these emissions primarily consist of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4).
Historically viewed as a carbon sink, soil’s dual role in carbon sequestration and emissions presents a complex challenge termed a “wicked problem.” To enhance food production while minimizing emissions is a daunting task for researchers and policymakers. This investigation was conducted by distinguished scientists from institutions including the University of Queensland, the University of Aberdeen, and Nanjing Agricultural University, and published in the journal Soil on December 6, 2024.
The findings disclosed that CO2 constitutes 74 percent of soil’s contributions to global warming, followed by N2O at 17 percent and CH4 at 9 percent. These emissions complicate global efforts to maintain climate targets, aimed at limiting temperature increases between 1.5-2°C above pre-industrial levels. Moreover, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that food production will require an additional 165-600 million hectares of land by 2050 to satisfy world population demands.
A significant driver of CO2 emissions from soil involves the loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) linked to land use changes, contributing 11 percent to overall greenhouse gas increases. Much of the CO2 released historically peaked between 1800 and 1900, predominantly from ongoing changes in land use in South American nations such as Brazil and Argentina.
The authors of the study emphasized the need for a dual approach that entails reducing further land-use alterations, specifically those intended for biofuel production, while simultaneously curbing CO2 release from SOC loss. They advocate strategies to enhance nitrogen fertilizer efficiency to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions, minimize methane emissions from rice cultivation, and prevent widespread thawing of permafrost terrain.
The relationship between soil health and climate change has received growing attention in recent research. Soil acts not only as a vital resource for food production but also plays a complex role in the continuum of greenhouse gas emissions. With intensifying agricultural practices and pressures to increase food output for a burgeoning global population, scientists are studying soil’s impacts on climate, particularly how alterations in land use can affect the balance between soil as a carbon sink and source. This evolving understanding of soil dynamics is critical for formulating effective climate policy and agricultural strategies.
The research highlights the urgent need to address the dual nature of soil as both a vital resource for food production and a significant source of greenhouse gases. The challenge lies in enhancing agricultural productivity while curtailing emissions associated with land use and soil degradation. Significant action is required to implement efficient land-use practices and innovative solutions that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring food security for the future.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
