Global greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies have nearly doubled since the 1960s, reaching approximately 1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. The increase is driven by the expansion of cultivation areas and the intensification of farming practices, specifically the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and the plowing of crop residues into the soil. While climate smart techniques such as intermittent flooding and reduced tillage can lower methane output, researchers suggest these measures may only reduce total emissions by 10% by midcentury. Further innovation is required to balance the food security needs of billions with the urgent necessity of agricultural decarbonization.
