Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are a major cause of climate change. Agriculture contributes to climate change through the conversion of non-agricultural land to agricultural land, and through the emission of greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon sequestration
Agricultural soils hold substantial potential for carbon sequestration. They are among the planet’s largest carbon reservoirs and have already been shown to sequester around 20 Pg C in 25 years. In addition to mitigating the effects of atmospheric CO2 concentrations, they also enhance crop quality and biodiversity.
Soil carbon sequestration is not a substitute for other, more comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction measures. But it can help reduce agricultural CO2 emissions. It can also prevent desertification.
There are two primary types of soil carbon sequestration: abiotic (biological) and geological. Abiotic sequestration involves the use of plants or other biological processes to store carbon. A geological form of sequestration involves the injection of CO2 into porous rocks, or into stable rock strata, for long-term storage.
The first type of carbon sequestration, abiotic sequestration, is the most obvious. Plants, particularly perennial crops, sequester carbon. They grow deep roots and store carbon year-round.
The second type of carbon sequestration, geological sequestration, involves the injection of CO2 into deep geological formations. These formations, which are thousands of years old, store the carbon in carbonates. They are formed by the reaction of CO 2 with dissolved salts.
There are many ways to sequester CO2, from capturing it from industrial sources to storing it in large bodies of water. Scientists are experimenting with new methods to capture and store carbon.
Although soil carbon sequestration does not resolve the full issue of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, it is a promising first step towards a carbon-neutral society. However, it must be included in a broader greenhouse gas reduction strategy. Agricultural soils do not yet have official recognition as carbon sinks.
Scientists have found that a small decrease in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions can result in a significant decrease in global temperature. The IPCC, a group of climate scientists, predicts that temperatures will rise by 1.5 to 6 C by 2100.
Grazing management
Grazing management for greenhouse gas reduction in agriculture is essential to mitigate climate change. Research suggests that proper grazing management reduces carbon emissions by up to 28 percent. It can also mitigate emissions from industry and vehicles. Grazing ruminants with forages can increase soil organic matter and improve the health of grasslands.
Researchers studied the interaction between grazing intensity, temperature, and precipitation. They found that mowing and grazing increased carbon inputs and availability of carbon substrates, enhanced rhizodeposition, and decreased rates of SOM mineralization. They also found that the carbon stock of the soil increased.
These positive feedback loops improved nutrient cycling and soil organic matter content. They also led to increases in water infiltration. This reduced damage to culverts and bridges. They also reduced nitrous oxide emissions.
Improved reproductive efficiency reduced emissions per kg of beef carcass weight by up to 23%. Similarly, improving grazing efficiency reduced GHG emissions per kg of livestock weight by up to 28%. The overall carbon footprint per hectare was reduced by up to 30%.
Grazing management for greenhouse gas reduction in agricultural production can be done using a number of advanced grazing management systems. These systems create positive feedback loops that promote soil organic matter and water-holding capacity. They also reduce methane emissions, which are more potent than carbon dioxide.
Rotational grazing systems can help farmers to adapt to climate change. These systems keep carbon in the soil and allow plants to recover. They also provide high-quality forage for livestock. The quality of the forage allows them to digest it more easily. This helps them produce high-quality meat and dairy products.
The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) is a program that funds grazing-based conferences and provides local resources for grazing management practices. It was funded in part by the 2002 Farm Bill. It was reduced in 2009, however, due to cuts in federal funding.
Planting trees
Various environmental groups and corporations are pushing for a rapid expansion of tree-planting efforts. The premise is that the right tree planted in the right place can capture carbon and sequester it for the long term.
A study by Thomas Crowther and his colleagues from ETH-Zurich, Switzerland, estimates there are 900 million hectares of land, about the size of the United States, that could be planted with trees. The result would be over a trillion trees, which could capture over 206 billion tonnes of carbon.
Trees are not only useful for reducing carbon dioxide, they are also valuable for providing shade, shelter, and food for humans and wildlife. They also protect air quality, provide wind breaks during the winter, and reduce the heat island effect.
The scientific literature says that the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to plant trees. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has suggested that increasing the amount of forest in the world by a billion hectares by 2050 would sequester 57 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
According to the study, planting trees on a large scale can take decades to accomplish. It’s been a long time since trees have been stored in carbon, and scientists suggest it may not be a net solution.
Planting trees in snowy regions near the poles may not be a good idea, as the melting of snow could increase carbon emissions. The study also noted that the age of a tree has an effect on its carbon footprint.
Planting trees may also be a wise move, as it can enhance biodiversity. The Center for International Forestry Research has identified five global challenges of our time. It has been found that biodiversity losses are accelerating.
Carbonization of 60% of straw
Agricultural waste management is a key method for reducing agricultural emissions. It can also improve the efficiency of agricultural systems, avoid chemical fertilizer waste, and improve the health of the soil. There are many commercial opportunities for agricultural waste management.
The Ministry of Agriculture compiled a list of 10 key rural technologies in 2007. The carbonization of 60% of straw for greenhouse gas reduction in agriculture is one of these technologies. Agricultural emissions are mostly in the form of methane and nitrous oxide.
Carbon sequestration of crop straws in China can help alleviate climate change. Since the early 2000s, the Chinese government has clamped down on crop stubble burning. However, there is still considerable variation in straw utilization between regions. The cost of straw production is not competitive with current biofuel production. It is important to investigate the negative environmental effects of different cropping systems and assess the potential for straw retention.
Carbon sequestration of crop straws can be achieved by increased organic matter, which increases the carbon content of the soil. In addition, the decomposition of straw C promotes the mineralization of SOC. This results in the formation of a new carbon resource that can offset agricultural emissions.
The use of straw for carbonization is an effective means of resource utilization. However, it is still in the early stages of development. It may contribute to China’s carbon peak goals.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, carbon sequestration can also have other environmental benefits. It can help to improve soil health, reduce water absorption, and prevent the spread of disease. It is also an effective way to avoid field burning.
Carbon sequestration can also help to offset agricultural emissions. In China, the average annual carbon sequestration of crop straws is 0.96 x 108t.
AB 125 coalition’s funding proposals
AB 125 is a proposed $3 billion bond measure to accelerate California’s economic recovery and invest in food systems, enhancing the resilience of our state’s agricultural system to climate change. This would include investments in healthy food systems, regional food economies, and farmworker safety.
The funding proposals are designed to invest in climate-friendly agricultural practices, which include: enhanced efficiency fertilizers, manure management, nutrient management, low/no-till, cover crops, and other measures. The projects will be evaluated based on three broad criteria: sustainability, scalability, and innovation. In addition, projects will be evaluated for potential environmental co-benefits, such as reduced localized air pollution, wildlife habitat, and soil quality.
USDA’s evaluation criteria will assess projects’ ability to overcome barriers, the sustainability of the incentive structures, the completeness of the measurement plan, and innovation in quantifying GHG reductions. They will also evaluate projects’ ability to inform USDA’s actions, as well as their likelihood of long-term viability.
The funding proposal includes $7 million for a new organic transition program, supporting conventional producers that are interested in transitioning to organic management. This funding will also support a number of technical assistance grants to underserved farm operations. The Notice of Funding Opportunity provides a detailed set of project proposal requirements.
The second funding pool will provide support for climate-smart commodities. The goal is to expand the market for sustainable producers. The program will focus on promoting climate-smart commodities, such as dairy, meat, fruits, and vegetables. These commodities can expand revenues and diversify markets for producers. The program will also promote the use of cooperative business models and a self-sustaining circular economy model.
