Nitrous oxide continues to have a huge impact on global warming. Based on recent research, there are two key ways that these emissions can be decreased.
One method involves farmers — because their fertilizers are often infused with nitrogen, they are responsible for a startlingly high percentage of these harmful emissions (approximately 80 percent). This problem is difficult to address because these fertilizers are such a large part of how farmers do business. We can make a difference, however, by investing in cover crops during the colder months and changing what we feed our livestock.
Another way to reduce nitrous oxide emissions is by educating people in developed nations on how their eating habits impact the environment. In particular, meat consumption is a concern. If individuals consume 50 percent less meat, farmers would not have to use as much of the fertilizer that contains nitrogen. In addition, there would be less need for manure.
To make a difference, this meat consumption goal would need to be accomplished by 2050. This is due, in part, to the fact that the world’s population continues to increase, and meeting that objective would allow the projected nine billion people of the future to have enough to eat. One of the challenges that we face is that people all over the world are eating more and more red meat, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down.
How much is “huge”? Is the “impact” as “huge” as the effect of CO2?
N2O has 310 times the global warming potential as CO2. Very serious matter, it would seem. Of course insignificant effect X 310 = insignificant effect. These folks want to control food production/consumption for some idiotic reason and global warming is a handy excuse. They didn’t mention that if the ethanol in fuel requirement were dropped, then there would be less fertilizer and food prices would be lower.
If we eat less meat, we eat more plants, (grain, legumes, veggies, to make up the protein deficit). Fertilizer is used on plants, not animals. So instead of using manure on animal feed, it would be used on people feed. Where’s the savings? Of course, now we’ll be eating a “healthy diet” and won’t get sick or die, so medical costs will go down. By the way, I have a bridge I can let you have cheap.
Considering the fact that there has been no significant warming in the last 15 years, I question what “huge” impact nitrous oxide has had.
Please pass the steak sauce.