Greenhouse gases and agriculture

Greenhouse gases are created by chemical compounds found in the Earth’s atmosphere and allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely (eia, 2004).  Some of the sun’s energy is reflected back as infrared radiation, or heat, and is trapped by the greenhouse gases (eia, 2004).  If the system is working correctly, the same amount of energy coming into the atmosphere is equal to the amount going out.

Agriculture was responsible for 7% of the production of greenhouse gases in 2010 (EPA, 2012).   It is also responsible for 30% methane and 76% nitrous oxide emissions, which constitute about 13% of all greenhouse gases (Siikamäki, 2008).  Why should we care?  We should care because the more greenhouse gases we produce, the more heat is trapped on the Earth’s surface.

The agricultural sector can contribute to reducing greenhouse gases, however.  One way would be to increase soil carbon storage through improved land management or converting lands to trees or grasses (Siikamäki, 2008).    This could be quickly done, and complete carbon saturation can occur approximately 20-30 years after improving land management and 70-150 years after converting to trees or grasses ; however, the carbon stored in the soil can quickly be released back into the atmosphere (Siikamäki, 2008). 

Eia (2004)  What are greenhouse gases?  Retrieved on August 11, 2012, from http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html

EPA (2012)  Sources of greenhouse gas emissions.  Retrieved on August 11, 2012, from http://epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources.html

Siikamäki, Juha (2008)  Climate Change and U.S. Agriculture:  Examining the Connection.  Environment, vol 50, No 4, pg 36-49