Traditional Agriculture and Climate Change
Emissions from Agriculture: Greenhouse Gasses and Beyond
According to the EPA, “net global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land use were over 8 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent, or about 24% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.” This is more than any other category, except electricity and heat production. And as long as agriculture still uses fossil fuels for its electricity, the industry contributes to that number as well.
Agriculture’s Role in Global Warming
These greenhouse gas emissions have had dangerous effects on our global climate. Gasses such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and others act like a greenhouse in the atmosphere. They absorb the heat of the sun instead of allowing it to reflect back into space. This is a significant contributor to global warming, one aspect of climate change.
Yet the news is not entirely bleak. While agriculture’s contributions are still strongly negative, there are positive contributions as well. there are several ways agriculture releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada notes that the industry can also help slow climate change through soil CO2 exchange. “Storing, or sequestering, carbon in soil as organic matter, perennial vegetation, and in trees reduces carbon dioxide amounts in the atmosphere.” To achieve this effect on a broad scale, careful management is needed.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture
Of course, this goes both ways. Yes, agriculture contributes to climate change, but climate change also greatly affects agriculture. The EPA lists three primary ways our changing climate is impacting agribusinesses:
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Productivity — Climate change can make conditions better or worse for growing certain crops in certain areas. It can also lead to longer growing seasons, allowing farmers to plant more crop cycles. Climate change is also raising the threat of natural disasters like wildfires. It’s also contributing to the overabundance of crop-damaging pests.
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Soil and Water — Climate change is wreaking havoc on our weather systems. Heavier precipitation may sound like a good thing when we’re facing a water crisis, but in reality, it more often leads to flash flooding. This washes away topsoil and increases runoff problems. Also, the potential for the seas to rise is very real, threatening any agriculture that stands at or near sea level.
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Health Impacts — Climate-related health dangers impact both farm workers and livestock. They are exposed to excess heat and extreme weather. An increased need for pesticides poses greater exposure risks as well.