It is no secret that our world is crumbling due to climate change and global warming. Every day we hear about how humans are damaging our planet and despite our best efforts, the damage isn¡¯t healing.?
And now, we have a situation that could make matters a whole lot worse.
Researchers have discovered that levels of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide which is more harmful than CO2 has risen exponentially over the last 40 years. This is according to a study by an international research team from 48 institutions, led by Professor Hanqin Tian at Auburn University in Alabama. Data shows that every year the levels are increasing by 1.4 percent.
In case you didn¡¯t know, N2O is known to be one of the biggest contributors to holes in the ozone layer that actually protects us from UV rays of the sun.?
They discovered that the nitrous oxide levels have risen to 331 parts per billion (in 2018), from 270 parts per billion in the pre-industrial era, around 1750. Annually, humans now create 7.3 trillion grams (Tg) of nitrogen a year. Moreover, more than half -- around 3.8 trillion grams (3.8Tg) comes directly from agriculture.
According to Glen Peters, one of the co-authors of the study, two-thirds of the 3.8Tg amount is a result of using fertilisers while farming. He explains, ¡°Excess fertiliser makes great food for soil bacteria and enhances the microbial processes that lead to nitrous oxide emissions. The remaining one-third comes from livestock manure, with the emissions being the result of microbial processes that break down nitrogen-containing compounds in the soil and oceans. These are the same microbial processes that lead to natural nitrous oxide emissions.¡±
Professor Tian, the lead researcher of the study explains, ¡°There is a conflict between the way we are feeding people and stabilising the climate. The dominant driver of the increase in atmospheric nitrous oxide comes from agriculture, and the growing demand for food and feed for animals will further increase global nitrous oxide emissions.¡±