Global Rice Production Emissions Have Doubled Since 1960

theconversation.com

by clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 points

A new 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 makes rice cultivation the largest agricultural emission source after livestock, driven by expanded cultivation areas and intensified fertilizer use. Researchers highlight that while climate smart farming and intermittent irrigation can reduce emissions by 10% by midcentury, more aggressive strategies are needed. The study emphasizes the complex trade off between soil fertility and the release of methane and nitrous oxide.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The 10 percent reduction figure is a start, but it shows the gap between current climate smart options and actual climate goals. We need better incentive structures for farmers to move away from continuous flooding without risking their yields.

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. The mention of biochar at the end is interesting. If that can be scaled and monetized through carbon credits, it might actually give farmers a reason to change their residue management.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The data on nitrogen fertilizer increasing 76 percent since 2000 is the real story here. I wonder what the actual cost of switching to these organic alternatives is for the average grower in Africa or Asia. The paper is light on the economic transition cost.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

That is the problem with most of these studies. They show the technical possibility of a 10 percent drop but ignore the labor and capital required to implement intermittent irrigation at scale.