A recent international study has shown that nitrous oxide, with agriculture and the nitrogen fertilizers it uses being the biggest culprits, is seriously threatening climate change. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more efficient at heating the Earth’s atmosphere than carbon dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for over a century. With nitrous oxide being one of the three most important greenhouse gases, it is crucial to control its emissions to meet climate goals set in agreements such as the Paris climate agreement.
The Global Nitrous Oxide Budget report highlights the importance of bringing nitrous oxide emissions under control to stay within the two-degree limit set in the Paris climate agreement. As there is currently no technology to remove nitrous oxide from the atmosphere, cutting emissions is the only viable option. The report shows that nitrous oxide emissions have increased by 40 percent in the four decades leading up to 2020, resulting in 25 percent more nitrous oxide in the atmosphere compared to pre-industrial times.
Agriculture accounts for three-quarters of man-made nitrous oxide emissions, primarily due to the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Other sources of nitrous oxide emissions include fossil fuels, waste, and biomass burning. Despite efforts to control and limit emissions of other greenhouse gases, there has been minimal attention given to nitrous oxide emissions. Researchers emphasize the need for practices to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, as new restrictions would take at least ten years to have an impact.
Some farmers have already started taking steps to reduce nitrous oxide emissions by reducing their use of nitrogen fertilizers and adopting more sustainable farming methods. Even a small reduction in emissions can make a significant difference, demonstrating why addressing nitrous oxide emissions is critical in the fight against climate change.
