Global Rice Production Emissions Have Doubled Since 1960s: New Study

A recent study reveals that greenhouse gas emissions from global rice paddies have nearly doubled since the 1960s, reaching approximately 1.1 billion tons of CO2 equivalent annually. This increase is driven by the expansion of cultivation areas and the intensification of farming practices, such as increased synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use and the plowing of crop residues into flooded soils. While climate-smart farming techniques like intermittent flooding and optimized fertilizer use can reduce emissions by 10% by mid-century without sacrificing yields, researchers warn that these measures alone are insufficient. Further innovation in agricultural strategies is required to significantly lower the climate impact of one of the world's most critical food sources.