Farm Effort to Reduce Methane Emits a Different Climate-Warming Gas

image via New Scientist

July 30, 2024, 4:00 PM

• •Scientists say efforts to tame methane in agriculture can spur the output of another greenhouse gas: nitrous oxide
• •Certain efforts to reduce methane emissions could backfire by increasing emissions of nitrous oxide — a greenhouse gas that is less potent than methane in the short term but does more damage overall
• •Biochar is a type of charcoal made from burning organic material, usually wood. It's often used as a fertilizer for crops — including rice — and has the added bonus of storing carbon

Scientists are sounding the alarm that certain agricultural practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are likely causing more harm than good. Research published last month in Science warns that certain efforts to reduce methane emissions could backfire by increasing emissions of nitrous oxide — a greenhouse gas that is less potent than methane in the short term but does more damage overall.

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