THE INTRODUCTION THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "THE INTRODUCTION THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT"

Transcription

1 THE INTRODUCTION The earth is surrounded by atmosphere composed of many gases. The sun s rays penetrate through the atmosphere to the earth s surface. Gases in the atmosphere trap heat that would otherwise escape into space. The natural greenhouse effect increases the earth temperature by 30 C. Levels of all key greenhouse gases are rising due to human activity. The result is an enhanced greenhouse effect. THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT The earth s climate is driven by a continuous flow of energy from the sun. This energy arrives in the form of visible light. Approximately 30% of energy is reflected back into space. The other 70% of energy pass through the atmosphere to warm the earth. The earth sends this energy back to space in the form of infrared radiation. Energy is carried away from the earth s surface by air currents and clouds. GHG in the atmosphere block infrared radiation from escaping to space. THE GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY Agriculture ranks 3 rd in its contributions to GHG emissions. The main greenhouse gases (GHG) are water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). The atmosphere is composed of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. The GHG and other trace gases account for the remaining 1 percent. Agricultural activities increase concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O. GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL Each gas has a different global warming potential (GWP). GWP represents a relative measure of the warming effect of each gas. CO2 is the most important GHG. The impact of a GHG is often converted to CO2 equivalence. Equivalencies enable carbon policies to be applied to other GHG. Freezing CO2 emissions at their current level would postpone CO2 doubling until Emissions would have to fall by 30% to stabilize at doubled CO2 levels in the future. CARBON DIOXIDE On a per capita basis, Canada ranked 3 rd in CO2 emissions. CO2 currently causes over 60% of the enhanced greenhouse effect. Annual emissions amount to over 7 billion tons of carbon. Estimates from Environment Canada s National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory indicate that agricultural practices caused approximately 39.2 million tons of CO2. 97% of anthropogenic emissions from CO2 are attributed to fossil fuel. Flooded soils of wetland are high in Carbon (C) with long retention times. Draining wetland causes rapid oxidization of soil and subsequent C losses High latitude continental areas can store carbon for longer periods.

2 METHANE Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas. CH4 from past emissions currently contributes 15-20% of the enhanced greenhouse effect. It is 21 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. It indirectly determines the atmospheric lifetime of other GHG. The agricultural sector was responsible for about 30% of CH4 emissions. Most livestock related CH4 emissions are produced by enteric fermentation of food by bacteria and other microbes in the animals digestive tracts. The other main source of CH4 is the decomposition of animal manure. Emissions can be controlled through methane digesters and improved storage systems. Changes in irrigation and fertilizer use can reduce CH4 emissions from wet rice cultivation. Globally CH4 emissions could be reduced anywhere from 25-80% using current technology NITROUS OXIDE Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced naturally from biological sources in soil and water. N2O are approximately 310 times as effective as CO2 in trapping heat. N2O, CFC, and ozone contribute the remaining 20% of the greenhouse effect. Soil management practices, fertilizer use and fossil fuel consumption produce N2O. Practices such as irrigation, tillage or summerfallow can effect N2O fluxes in the soil. Soil is a small sink for N2O during dry conditions and a large sink during wet conditions. The amounts of N2O formed depends on soil factors such as oxygen supply, water content, temperature, structure, organic matter content and nitrate concentration. Matching the timing and amount of nitrogen supply to crop specific demands will reduce N2O. Advanced fertilization techniques such as controlled release fertilizers that deliver fertilizer to the plants roots through its leaves rather than through the soil will reduce N2O. THE CARBON CYCLE The global carbon cycle is made up of flows and reservoirs. When carbon is emitted into the atmosphere, it is a flow or a source. A sink is the storage facility for a GHG removed from the atmosphere. Oceans, soils and trees are considered sinks or reservoirs of carbon. Carbon sources or flows have risen because of fossil fuel combustion. Conversion of cropland, wetland drainage, or re-establishment of grasslands and forests effect GHG. Taking CO2 out of the atmosphere via photosynthesis and sequestering it in different components of terrestrial, oceanic and freshwater aquatic ecosystems will reduce GHG. CANADA AND AGRICULTURAL Canada is the second largest country in the world 5% of the land (46 million hectares) in Canada is suited for agriculture Agricultural land represents 293,000 farms Varying climatic conditions and soil types result in diverse farming systems Saskatchewan s experiences demonstrate the vulnerability of agriculture to global warming.

3 Between 1933 and 1937 precipitation fell 50% Prairie Wheat and Corn Production fell by 32 and 50 percent respectively In the late 1980s precipitation fell 40% and temperatures increased 5 C Yields of grain and specialty crops fell by 29% and 40% respectively Livestock production decreased due to decline in feed and pastureland CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE Impacts of climate change will vary between crops, location, and system. Predictions suggest increased temperatures with the largest effects felt on the prairies. Each climate belt is optimal for a particular set of crops. Farming may be affected indirectly through disease and pests stimulated by warmer climate. Certain weeds may expand their range into higher-latitude habitats. Predictions suggest more precipitation with higher evaporation rates. Increases in precipitation could lead to leaching of nutrients from the soil. The rate of evapo-transportation is expected to increase reducing moisture during growing seasons. As soils become drier, farmers may need to increase irrigation practices Climate change may alter the geographical extent and plant composition of ecosystems. Cultivation could extend into regions that currently support native forests. Climate and agricultural zones are likely to shift toward the poles. In the mid-latitude regions (45-65) present temperature zones could shift by km. The boundaries between grasslands, shrub land, forest, and other ecosystems may change. Adaptation of farming practices may be constrained by the availability of suitable soils. Warmer temperatures may lengthen the growing season. Higher levels of carbon dioxide may have a fertilizing effect, enhancing plant growth. Higher levels of CO2 may increase the efficiency with which plants use water. SOIL QUALITY Leading causes of decline in soil organic matter content include erosion, compaction, and decline in soil structure, mineralization or oxidation of humid substances. Unhealthy soils require more fertilizer and pesticides. Unhealthy soils are less effective in the role of gas exchange and maintaining air quality. Crop production practices must change to ensure soil productivity. Most soils in Canada today are neutral with respect to emissions Farming practices could be adopted to recover carbon losses Once soils reach an equilibrium state, the value cannot be exceeded. PHOTOSYNTHESIS Photosynthesis is the process by which plants take carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere and water (H 2 O) from the soil. With the use of the sun s energy (light energy), the plant produces 6 carbon sugars, which it uses for food, and gives off the by-product oxygen (O 2 ) back into the atmosphere. The equation for photosynthesis is: Light energy 6CO H 2 O C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2

4 The food is stored in plant material: the root system and the foliage. Plant material is made up of water (70%), organic matter (27%), and minerals (3%). Organic matter is made up mostly of carbon and nitrogen and are returned to the soil during senescence and stored. The amount of organic matter returned to the soil depends on if and how much of the plant is harvested RESTORING CARBON IN DEPLETED SOILS The soil degradation processes are set in motion by plowing, biomass burning, draining wetlands, grazing and mining of soil fertility by no-input or low-input subsistence agricultural practices. Farming introduces a new system of plant growth into a region. This affects the balance of water, organic material and nutrients in the soil. Carbon sequestration includes humification of organic materials, aggregation by formation of organic complexes, placement of organic matter beneath the plow zone, deep rooting and calcification. Practices such as liming acid soils, draining water logged soils and removing stones may improve soils from their natural state. FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Alternative farming practices include: increasing crop yields, reducing use of fossil fuels, improving manure handling and storage, enhancing efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer, and improving feeding technology for ruminant livestock. Practices such as summerfallow, winter cover, length of rotation, direct seeding, permanent cover, stubble burning affects the health of soil. Conservation tillage refers to any tillage and planting system which maintains at least 30% soil surface covered by residue after planting. Benefits of conservation tillage include improved water quality, decreased run off, less erosion and reduced particulate emissions. Timing of nutrient applications and liming of acid soils helps maintain and improve soil fertility. Mulching helps maintain cooler soil temperatures preserving carbon and helps topsoil hold moisture. Differences between conventional and zero tillage are most apparent in weed control. Weeds can be controlled by timing seeding, selection of crop, optimal placement of seed and fertilizer, and field border sanitation. Conserving and planting natural grasses may increase carbon storage by increasing vegetation cover. Native grasses are very effective at building up organic matter in soil. They are also better adapted to surviving in the weather conditions in the long run. Integrated pest management uses a combination of selected pesticides, insect population surveys, cultural control methods, biological control and modification of farming practices. DOMESTIC ANIMALS The livestock industry requires healthy soils for grazing and forage production. There are approximately 19.4 million hectares of grassland used for seasonal grazing. This land is often overlooked, as an opportunity for carbon sequestration. Over-grazing and under-grazing prevent soils from maximizing carbon sequestration. There is significant carbon sequestration gain opportunities for managed livestock grazing. Livestock manure is very beneficial when applied at the appropriate rate.

5 Intensive operations do not have enough land to disperse manure properly. A combination of soil management practices, animal management practices and sustainable agricultural practices and managing herd size to match productivity of rangelands may increase plant cover and soil organic matter thereby improving animal productivity. AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY The Global Positioning System (GPS) could change farm management This system is a set of satellites used for mapping the earth. Some of the uses for GPS for agriculture include mapping (yield, fertility, soil type, moisture content, and weed infestations) varying inputs (fertilizer, seed density, changing seed varieties and chemicals) and guidance (seeding and spraying). Fertilizer and herbicide could be applied only where needed thus reducing CO2 and N2O. Fossil fuel usage would decline in direct proportion to reduced application runs. This would correspond to less CO2 emissions. Access to such a system would enable farmers to properly utilize their farming inputs. Agricultural management systems will change farming operations. Optimal livestock/ land ratios can be identified to ensure maximum plant cover, soil organic matter, and animal productivity. A standard protocol for carbon measurement in soils has been developed. This system of measurement will allow farmers to trade carbon credits The lack of understanding of soil carbon benefits is a barrier for further development. Support is needed to ensure continued adoption of conservation practices. RENEWABLE ENERGY The greatest potential for mitigating CO2 lies in the use of plant biomass for energy Crops used for bio-fuels remove equivalent amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere as they release during combustion. Biomass currently contributes about 7% to Canada s energy needs. Bio-related sources have a sink term, whereas fossil sources do not. The magnitude of this sink term is directly related to the size of the source term. Bio related emissions would occur even in the absence of human intervention. POLICY OPTIONS Policy suggestions for reducing emissions include; fuel economy requirements, reduction or the phase out of diesel fuel, limitations on production per acre for some crops, requirements for plowless soil preparation, mandatory fallowing of cropland, limits and restrictions on timber harvesting, and restrictions on processing, manufacturing and transportation of food products. Mandatory operational procedures could jeopardize integrated management programs. Farmers need flexibility in their operations for annual fluctuations in weather and commodity prices. A real barrier to adoption of many new techniques is capital investment. Government and agribusiness must support research into alternative farming practices. Knowledge of ecosystems and the effects of land management practices are required. Researchers must look at ways for farmers to take advantage of the biological processes within the soil and become less dependent on off-farm inputs. A mechanism is needed to disseminate information and provide technical support to farmers on carbon sequestering opportunities.

What is the Greenhouse Gas Contribution from Agriculture in Alberta?

What is the Greenhouse Gas Contribution from Agriculture in Alberta? What is the Greenhouse Gas Contribution from Agriculture in Alberta? The most recent GHG inventory estimated that in 2002 nationwide, agricultural related GHG emissions contributed about 59,000 kt (kilotonnnes)

More information

Agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and generate co-benefits

Agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and generate co-benefits Environmental Toxicology II 61 Agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and generate co-benefits K. Duncan Health Studies, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Canada Abstract Human

More information

The Role of Agriculture and Forestry In Emerging Carbon Markets

The Role of Agriculture and Forestry In Emerging Carbon Markets The Role of Agriculture and Forestry In Emerging Carbon Markets David W. Wolfe Dept. of Horticulture; dww5@cornell.edu ; Websites: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/wolfe hort edu/wolfe http://www.climateandfarming.org

More information

Chapter 19 Global Change. Wednesday, April 18, 18

Chapter 19 Global Change. Wednesday, April 18, 18 Chapter 19 Global Change Module 62 Global Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect After reading this module you should be able to distinguish among global change, global climate change, and global warming.

More information

CALIFORNIA EDUCATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE

CALIFORNIA EDUCATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE Water Vapor: A GHG Lesson 3 page 1 of 2 Water Vapor: A GHG Water vapor in our atmosphere is an important greenhouse gas (GHG). On a cloudy day we can see evidence of the amount of water vapor in our atmosphere.

More information

Tom Jensen, PhD Agronomy, PAg, CCA International Plant Nutrition Institute

Tom Jensen, PhD Agronomy, PAg, CCA International Plant Nutrition Institute Tom Jensen, PhD Agronomy, PAg, CCA International Plant Nutrition Institute 1 Outline 1.Introduction: IPNI - Who, Where and What? 2. Global Warming, Climate Change, and Agriculture 3. Observed shifts in

More information

USDA GLOBAL CHANGE FACT SHEET

USDA GLOBAL CHANGE FACT SHEET USDA GLOBAL CHANGE FACT SHEET Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Agriculture and Forestry The global concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased measurably over the past 250 years, partly

More information

The GHG Club. Water vapour

The GHG Club. Water vapour Trace gases in our atmosphere act like the glass in a greenhouse. These trace gases trap much of the heat from the sun close to earth at night. These gases are called Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and they help

More information

12 CLIMATE CHANGE INTRODUCTION CLIMATE CHANGE FACTORS. Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Note: Also known as Global Warming Gases

12 CLIMATE CHANGE INTRODUCTION CLIMATE CHANGE FACTORS. Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Note: Also known as Global Warming Gases 12 CLIMATE CHANGE INTRODUCTION This chapter discusses farm management practices for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by agriculture. It contains information on how climate change

More information

Mr.Yashwant L. Jagdale Scientist- Horticulture KVK, Baramati (Pune)

Mr.Yashwant L. Jagdale Scientist- Horticulture KVK, Baramati (Pune) KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA BARAMATI (PUNE) M.S. International Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry &Agricultural Meteorology Presentation On Effect of Green House Gases On Crops On Farm Land. Mr.Yashwant L. Jagdale

More information

Main Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases Agriculture, Fire, Change in Land Use and Transport

Main Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases Agriculture, Fire, Change in Land Use and Transport Main Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases Agriculture, Fire, Change in Land Use and Transport Content GHG Emissions from AFOLU GHG Emissions from Transport Land Use & Forestry as a Source of GHG Transport

More information

Curbing Greenhouse Gases: Agriculture's Role

Curbing Greenhouse Gases: Agriculture's Role Curbing Greenhouse Gases: Agriculture's Role Bruce A. McCarl Professor Department of Agricultural Economics Texas A&M University (409) 845-7504 (fax) mccarl@tamu.edu Uwe Schneider Research Associate Department

More information

Agriculture. Victim, Culprit and Potentials for Adaptation and Mitigation. Luis Waldmüller, GIZ

Agriculture. Victim, Culprit and Potentials for Adaptation and Mitigation. Luis Waldmüller, GIZ Agriculture Victim, Culprit and Potentials for Adaptation and Mitigation Luis Waldmüller, GIZ Results IPCC Report 2014 In many regions, changing precipitation or melting snow and ice are altering hydrological

More information

Agriculture Practices on GHG Production: Adaptation and Mitigation of GHG Emission from Agriculture Sector

Agriculture Practices on GHG Production: Adaptation and Mitigation of GHG Emission from Agriculture Sector Agriculture Practices on GHG Production: Adaptation and Mitigation of GHG Emission from Agriculture Sector R. Gowthami 1*, K. V. Raghavendra 2 and R. Shashank 3 1, 2 Ph. D. Student, AC & RI, Madurai, Tamil

More information

Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse gases let short-wavelength radiation come into the Earth s atmosphere from the sun. However, they absorb and re-radiate Earth s long-wavelength radiation

More information

12693/15 LS/dd 1 DGB 1B

12693/15 LS/dd 1 DGB 1B Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 October 2015 (OR. en) 12693/15 AGRI 511 CLIMA 105 ENV 608 NOTE From: To: Subject: Presidency Delegations Towards climate-smart agriculture Exchange of views In

More information

Agriculture and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation: Who, What, How, Where and When?

Agriculture and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation: Who, What, How, Where and When? Agriculture and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation: Who, What, How, Where and When? Keith Paustian, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins,

More information

Acid deposition accumulation of potential acid-forming particles on a surface acids can result from natural causes

Acid deposition accumulation of potential acid-forming particles on a surface acids can result from natural causes 1 Air Quality Issues: Part 2 - Acid Deposition, Greenhouse Gases EVPP 111 Lecture Dr. Largen 2 Air Quality Issues Air Pollution Indoor Air Pollution Acid Deposition Greenhouse Gases & Global Warming 3

More information

AB 32 and Agriculture

AB 32 and Agriculture AB 32 and Agriculture California's Climate Change Policy: The Economic and Environmental Impacts of AB 32 October 4, 2010 Daniel A. Sumner University of California Agricultural Issues Center OUTLINE Agriculture

More information

Impact of climate change on agriculture and the food system: A U.S. perspective

Impact of climate change on agriculture and the food system: A U.S. perspective Impact of climate change on agriculture and the food system: A U.S. perspective Jan Lewandrowski USDA, Global Change Program Office The Pacific Food System Outlook Meeting Honolulu, HI September 15-17,

More information

Research Question What ecological and other services do coastal wetlands provide?

Research Question What ecological and other services do coastal wetlands provide? Bringing Wetlands to Market Part 1 Introduction Blue, Green, and Bountiful: Wetlands and carbon Estuary Principle Principle 5: Humans, even those living far from the coast, rely on goods and services supplied

More information

Greenhouse gases and agricultural: an introduction to the processes and tools to quantify them Richard T. Conant

Greenhouse gases and agricultural: an introduction to the processes and tools to quantify them Richard T. Conant Greenhouse gases and agricultural: an introduction to the processes and tools to quantify them Richard T. Conant Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory Colorado State University Perturbation of Global Carbon

More information

FIGURE SET HEADER for Set #5. Figure Set 5: Global Warming Potential Temperate Agriculture

FIGURE SET HEADER for Set #5. Figure Set 5: Global Warming Potential Temperate Agriculture FIGURE SET HEADER for Set #5 Figure Set 5: Global Warming Potential Temperate Agriculture Purpose: To teach students that land management can affect the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from temperate

More information

Main Natural Sources of Greenhouse Gases

Main Natural Sources of Greenhouse Gases Main Natural Sources of Greenhouse Gases Content Atmospheric Composition Composition of the Earth s Atmosphere Greenhouse Gases The Radiative Forcing bar chart: AR5 version Natural Greenhouse Gases Water

More information

Section 6.1 & 6.2 A changing Landscape

Section 6.1 & 6.2 A changing Landscape Section 6.1 & 6.2 A changing Landscape Human Population and Natural Resource Use With increased human population, we are using more and more of the Earth s natural resources. Two types of Resources are:

More information

Sara J. Scherr, EcoAgriculture Partners Navigating the Global Food System in a New Era IAMA, Boston, June 21, 2010

Sara J. Scherr, EcoAgriculture Partners Navigating the Global Food System in a New Era IAMA, Boston, June 21, 2010 Agricultural Productivity and Ecosystem Sustainability: Solutions from Farm to Landscape Scale "Feeding 9 Billion with the Challenges of Climate Change: Towards Diversified Ecoagriculture Landscapes" Sara

More information

Climate Change and Ontario Agriculture

Climate Change and Ontario Agriculture Climate Change and Ontario Agriculture FarmSmart 2017 Christoph Wand OMAFRA Livestock Sustainability Specialist @CtophWand Adam Hayes OMAFRA Soil Management Specialist Field Crops Global Roundtable for

More information

BIOLOGY: GLOBAL WARMING. 22. Q1.) What is global dimming? Why is it dangerous? (3)

BIOLOGY: GLOBAL WARMING. 22. Q1.) What is global dimming? Why is it dangerous? (3) BIOLOGY: GLOBAL WARMING 22. Q1.) What is global dimming? Why is it dangerous? (3) A1.) Air pollution increases the number of tiny solid particles in the air. The sulphur products from the burning of fossils

More information

Chapter: The Nonliving Environment

Chapter: The Nonliving Environment Table of Contents Chapter: The Nonliving Environment Section 1: Abiotic Factors Section 2: Cycles in Nature Section 3: Energy Flow Abiotic Factors 1 Environmental Factors The features of the environment

More information

Information on LULUCF actions by Sweden. First progress report

Information on LULUCF actions by Sweden. First progress report Information on LULUCF actions by Sweden First progress report 2016 This information on LULUCF actions by Sweden responds the request set out in article 10 of Decision [529/2013/EU] on Land-Use, Land-Use

More information

LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, 18e G. TYLER MILLER SCOTT E. SPOOLMAN. Climate Disruption. Cengage Learning 2015

LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, 18e G. TYLER MILLER SCOTT E. SPOOLMAN. Climate Disruption. Cengage Learning 2015 LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, 18e G. TYLER MILLER SCOTT E. SPOOLMAN 19 Climate Disruption 19-1 How Is the Earth s Climate Changing? Considerable scientific evidence indicates that the earth s atmosphere is

More information

Impact of Agricultural Production on Climate Change

Impact of Agricultural Production on Climate Change Impact of Agricultural Production on Climate Change Aaron J. Glenn Research Scientist - Micrometeorology Brandon Research & Development Centre March 22, 2017 What is micrometeorology? A part of meteorology

More information

Chapter 5: How Ecosystems Work Section 1, Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Chapter 5: How Ecosystems Work Section 1, Energy Flow in Ecosystems Life Depends on the Sun Chapter 5: How Ecosystems Work Section 1, Energy Flow in Ecosystems Energy from the sun enters an ecosystem when plants use sunlight to make sugar molecules. This happens through

More information

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ACID RAIN. Mr. Banks 7 th Grade Science

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ACID RAIN. Mr. Banks 7 th Grade Science CLIMATE CHANGE AND ACID RAIN Mr. Banks 7 th Grade Science COMPOSITION OF AIR? COMPOSITION OF AIR? 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen 0.93% Argon and other noble gases 0.04% carbon dioxide Variable amounts of water

More information

Ecology Part 2: How Ecosystems Work

Ecology Part 2: How Ecosystems Work Ecology Part 2: How Ecosystems Work Name: Unit 2 1 In this second part of Unit 2, our big idea questions are: SECTION 1 How is energy transferred from the Sun to producers and then to consumers? Why do

More information

Progress Report: Sequestering Carbon In Agricultural Soils

Progress Report: Sequestering Carbon In Agricultural Soils Progress Report: Sequestering Carbon In Agricultural Soils Dr. Sara Via Professor & Climate Extension Specialist svia@umd.edu Source: Modern Farmer Sequestering carbon in healthy soil Plants absorb atmospheric

More information

TODAY: TOPIC #6 WRAP UP!! Atmospheric Structure & Composition

TODAY: TOPIC #6 WRAP UP!! Atmospheric Structure & Composition TODAY: TOPIC #6 WRAP UP!! Atmospheric Structure & Composition There s one more thing to correct in our the depiction of incoming Solar....... the atmosphere is NOT totally TRANSPARENT to INCOMING Solar

More information

Ecosystems. Trophic relationships determine the routes of energy flow and chemical cycling in ecosystems.

Ecosystems. Trophic relationships determine the routes of energy flow and chemical cycling in ecosystems. AP BIOLOGY ECOLOGY ACTIVITY #5 Ecosystems NAME DATE HOUR An ecosystem consists of all the organisms living in a community as well as all the abiotic factors with which they interact. The dynamics of an

More information

Global Climate Change. The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Global Climate Change. The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Global Climate Change The sky is falling! The sky is falling! 1 Global Climate Change Radiative Equilibrium, Solar and Earth Radiation Atmospheric Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Gases Global Climate Change

More information

Production and Utilization of Compost and Greenhouse Emissions. Monica Ozores-Hampton, Ph.D University of Florida/IFAS

Production and Utilization of Compost and Greenhouse Emissions. Monica Ozores-Hampton, Ph.D University of Florida/IFAS Production and Utilization of Compost and Greenhouse Emissions Monica Ozores-Hampton, Ph.D University of Florida/IFAS Global Warming Increased CO 2 in the atmosphere has been implicated in the global warming.

More information

Executive Summary. Climate Change threatens China s Food Security

Executive Summary. Climate Change threatens China s Food Security Executive Summary Climate change has become one of the greatest challenges faced by the human race. It affects almost all aspects of our society, including food supply. Agriculture has long been the foundation

More information

Agricultural Contributions to Carbon Sequestration

Agricultural Contributions to Carbon Sequestration Agricultural Contributions to Carbon Sequestration Dr. Maurice Moloney Exec. Director and CEO 10 January 2018 GIFS Vision & Mission Create ingenious science that delivers sustainable food security for

More information

Almonds and Carbon Sequestration: What it Means for the Future. December 10, 2015

Almonds and Carbon Sequestration: What it Means for the Future. December 10, 2015 Almonds and Carbon Sequestration: What it Means for the Future December 10, 2015 Gabriele Ludwig, Almond Board Speakers Gabriele Ludwig, Almond Board (Moderator) Alissa Kendall, UC Davis Sara Kroopf,

More information

Earth s Dynamic Climate

Earth s Dynamic Climate UNIT 3 Earth s Dynamic Climate Topic 3.1: What is climate, and how has it changed during Earth s history? Topic 3.2 : Where are the effects of climate change felt, and what is their impact? Topic 3.5:

More information

Climate Change Vocabulary Global Challenges for the 21 st Century Tony Del Vecchio, M.Ed. Atmosphere

Climate Change Vocabulary Global Challenges for the 21 st Century Tony Del Vecchio, M.Ed. Atmosphere Atmosphere The mixture of gases surrounding the Earth. The Earth's atmosphere consists of about 79.1% nitrogen (by volume), 20.9% oxygen, 0.036% carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases. The atmosphere

More information

Energy, Greenhouse Gases and the Carbon Cycle

Energy, Greenhouse Gases and the Carbon Cycle Energy, Greenhouse Gases and the Carbon Cycle David Allen Gertz Regents Professor in Chemical Engineering, and Director, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources Concepts for today Greenhouse Effect

More information

Growing Crops for Biofuels Has Spillover Effects

Growing Crops for Biofuels Has Spillover Effects Growing Crops for Biofuels Has Spillover Effects VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 Scott Malcolm smalcolm@ers.usda.gov 10 Marcel Aillery maillery@ers.usda.gov Federal mandates for biofuel production promote expanded crop

More information

3/5/2012. Study Questions. Global Warming. Weather: daily temperature and moisture conditions Climate: long-term weather patterns

3/5/2012. Study Questions. Global Warming. Weather: daily temperature and moisture conditions Climate: long-term weather patterns Study Questions Global Warming 1. Explain what is meant by the term Greenhouse effect. 2. List 3 indications that global climate is currently increasing. 3. Describe 3 possible consequences of global warming.

More information

The Water-Energy-Land (WEL) nexus and the analysis of Land issues

The Water-Energy-Land (WEL) nexus and the analysis of Land issues The Water-Energy-Land (WEL) nexus and the analysis of Land issues Karl Harmsen Sr Fellow, ZEF, University of Bonn Consultant, DIE, Bonn European Report on Development (ERD) 2012 Consultation on Governance

More information

The September Equinox is today: Sep 23rd! It s considered the traditional end of Summer and the beginning of Fall

The September Equinox is today: Sep 23rd! It s considered the traditional end of Summer and the beginning of Fall More coming up in Topic #11 (class notes p 61) The September Equinox is today: Sep 23rd! It s considered the traditional end of Summer and the beginning of Fall The Sun s rays have greatest intensity right

More information

Environmental Impacts of. Energy Production

Environmental Impacts of. Energy Production CH2356 Energy Engineering Environmental Impacts of Energy Production Dr. M. Subramanian Associate Professor Department of Chemical Engineering Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering Kalavakkam

More information

Organic Farming in a Changing Climate

Organic Farming in a Changing Climate Organic Farming in a Changing Climate Erik Steen Jensen Department of Agriculture, Alnarp Content Climate change (CC) GHG emissions from agriculture land use/ crop production Mitigation of CC - role of

More information

Agricultural Development and Reduced Glasshouse Gas Emmission

Agricultural Development and Reduced Glasshouse Gas Emmission Agricultural Development and Reduced Glasshouse Gas Emmission Paper for Workshop on 22 April 2013 Hymawari, Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia By Mak Soeun, PhD in Agronomy/Farming System Specialist Director

More information

Atmosphere. The layer of gas surrounding the Earth

Atmosphere. The layer of gas surrounding the Earth Earth and Space Notes: Atmosphere Atmosphere The layer of gas surrounding the Earth Breakdown: Nitrogen (~79%) Oxygen (~21%) Argon, CO2, methane, ozone, water, nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide, etc Gases

More information

The Global Environmental Change: Carbon Sequestration

The Global Environmental Change: Carbon Sequestration The Global Environmental Change: Carbon Sequestration Sources of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Carbon Sequestration The global C politics Summary Sources of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions

More information

Session 14 Unit VI CLIMATIC CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING

Session 14 Unit VI CLIMATIC CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING Session 14 Unit VI CLIMATIC CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING Dr. H.S. Ramesh Professor of Environmental Engineering S.J. College of Engineering, Mysore 570 006 Carbon di-oxide is a natural constituent of atmosphere,

More information

Climate Change and the Arctic Ecosystem

Climate Change and the Arctic Ecosystem Climate Change and the Arctic Ecosystem Key Concepts: Greenhouse Gas WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Biome Carbon sink Global warming Greenhouse effect Permafrost 1. You will analyze how global warming is impacting

More information

GLOBAL WARMING AND THE EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE

GLOBAL WARMING AND THE EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE GLOBAL WARMING AND THE EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE L. Duckers Agriculture and the environment are closely and inextricably linked to each other. In this paper the changes to the global climate are examined,

More information

Topic # 7 Part II ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE & CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Topic # 7 Part II ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE & CHEMICAL COMPOSITION Topic # 7 Part II ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE & CHEMICAL COMPOSITION All about the GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE, esp. GREENHOUSE GASES! Class Notes pp 37-41 REVIEW: ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE The changes in temperature

More information

The Water-Climate Nexus and Food Security in the Americas. Michael Clegg University of California, Irvine

The Water-Climate Nexus and Food Security in the Americas. Michael Clegg University of California, Irvine The Water-Climate Nexus and Food Security in the Americas Michael Clegg University of California, Irvine The Global Challenge Global population is projected to increase by about 30% between now and 2050

More information

Organic agriculture and climate change the scientific evidence

Organic agriculture and climate change the scientific evidence Organic agriculture and climate change the scientific evidence >Andreas Fließbach >BioFach 2007, Nürnberg, 17.02.2007 Organic Agriculture and Climate Change > The report of the Intergovernmental Panel

More information

Advanced Biology: Bahe & Deken. Agriculture & Nutrition. Chapter 9. Text Page

Advanced Biology: Bahe & Deken. Agriculture & Nutrition. Chapter 9. Text Page Agriculture & Nutrition Chapter 9 Text Page - 107 - 9.1 Strategy of Agriculture What does it take to put food on the table at your house? Think about this question in terms of economics, energy, and ecology.

More information

Climate, Water, and Ecosystems: A Future of Surprises

Climate, Water, and Ecosystems: A Future of Surprises Climate, Water, and Ecosystems: A Future of Surprises Robert Harriss Houston Advanced Research Center Changsheng Li Steve Frolking University of New Hampshire Climate change is not uniform geographically

More information

Soil Organic Matter. Soil degradation has become a major concern in. What is organic matter? Organic matter in virgin and cultivated soils

Soil Organic Matter. Soil degradation has become a major concern in. What is organic matter? Organic matter in virgin and cultivated soils Agdex 6- Soil degradation has become a major concern in Canada. Erosion, salinization, acidification and loss of organic matter are the main forms of soil deterioration. This factsheet deals with the role

More information

Soils and Global Warming. Temperature and Atmosphere. Soils and Water, Spring Lecture 9, Soils and Global Warming 1

Soils and Global Warming. Temperature and Atmosphere. Soils and Water, Spring Lecture 9, Soils and Global Warming 1 Soils and Global Warming Reading: Lecture Notes Objectives: Introduce climate change Describe measured and expected effects on soil systems Describe prediction of climate change effect on food production.

More information

UNESCAP APCAEM : Regional Forum on Bio-energy Sector Development. Dr. Chang-Gil Kim

UNESCAP APCAEM : Regional Forum on Bio-energy Sector Development. Dr. Chang-Gil Kim UNESCAP APCAEM : Regional Forum on Bio-energy Sector Development Dr. Chang-Gil Kim Contents I Introduction II Contents of the Kyoto Protocol and Post-2012 Discussions III IV V Instruments for GHGs Control

More information

The rest of this article describes four biogeochemical cycles: the water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and phosphorous cycle.

The rest of this article describes four biogeochemical cycles: the water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and phosphorous cycle. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES The chemical elements and water that are needed by living things keep recycling over and over on Earth. These cycles are called biogeochemical cycles. They pass back and forth through

More information

UN Climate Council Words in red are defined in vocabulary section (pg. 9)

UN Climate Council Words in red are defined in vocabulary section (pg. 9) UN Climate Council Words in red are defined in vocabulary section (pg. 9) To minimize the negative effects of global climate change, scientists have advocated for action to limit global warming to no more

More information

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 1 GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE From About Transportation and Climate Change (Source; Volpe center for Climate Change and Environmental forecasting, http://climate.volpe.dot.gov/trans.html Greenhouse effect has

More information

AP Biology. Ecosystems

AP Biology. Ecosystems Ecosystems Studying organisms in their environment organism population community ecosystem biosphere Essential questions What limits the production in ecosystems? How do nutrients move in the ecosystem?

More information

Assessing the Carbon Benefits of Improved Land Management Technologies

Assessing the Carbon Benefits of Improved Land Management Technologies Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized JANUARY 2012 ABOUT THE AUTHOR ADEMOLA BRAIMOH is a Senior Natural Resources Management

More information

ENVIS- IITM NEWSLETTER The Air Quality: A Global Challenge

ENVIS- IITM NEWSLETTER The Air Quality: A Global Challenge ENVIS- IITM NEWSLETTER The Air Quality: A Global Challenge GLOBAL WARMING Editorial Prof. B.N. Goswami (Director, IITM, Pune) Dr. G. Beig (ENVIS Co-ordinetor) Ms. Neha S. Parkhi (Program Officer) Mr. Rajnikant

More information

Wildlife and Agricultural Ecosystems

Wildlife and Agricultural Ecosystems Wildlife and Agricultural Ecosystems The changing agricultural landscape Green Revolution resulted in substantial changes in agriculture Yields have increased 2% per acre each year since 1948 Corn: 38.5

More information

Carbon Sequestration: Addressing Climate Change and Food Security through Sustainable Agriculture

Carbon Sequestration: Addressing Climate Change and Food Security through Sustainable Agriculture Carbon Sequestration: Addressing Climate Change and Food Security through Christina Ospina November 2016 Introduction To meet the demands of a growing, increasingly urban global population (approximately

More information

ENVIRONMENTS and LIFE

ENVIRONMENTS and LIFE ENVIRONMENTS and LIFE Notes from (Stanley and Luczaj, 2015) Earth System History, Chapter 4 Alessandro Grippo, Ph.D. The temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest in Ucluelet, Vancouver Island, British

More information

Climate Change. Climate Change is Occurring

Climate Change. Climate Change is Occurring Climate Change Issue Summary: Earth s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events - like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures

More information

WRI POLICY NOTE. CLIMATE:AGRICULTURE No. 2. The agricultural sector emits large quantities of the more

WRI POLICY NOTE. CLIMATE:AGRICULTURE No. 2. The agricultural sector emits large quantities of the more WRI POLICY NOTE CLIMATE:AGRICULTURE No. 2 AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE: GREENHOUSE GAS MITIGATION OPPORTUNITIES AND THE 2007 FARM BILL EVAN BRANOSKY AND SUZIE GREENHALGH How can managers of agricultural

More information

Nutrient Cycles. Nutrient cycles involve flow of high quality energy from the sun through the environment & of elements.

Nutrient Cycles. Nutrient cycles involve flow of high quality energy from the sun through the environment & of elements. Nutrient Cycles Nutrient cycles (= biogeochemical cycles): natural processes that involve the flow of nutrients from the environment (air, water, soil, rock) to living organisms ( ) & back again. Nutrient

More information

Chapter 19: Global Change

Chapter 19: Global Change 1 Summary Of the Case Study Polar Bear population in the Antarctic going down because temperatures are going up and melting the caps. Polar bears are losing their habitat, they also can t get their food

More information

Guiding Questions. What is acid rain, how is it formed, and what are some of its impacts?

Guiding Questions. What is acid rain, how is it formed, and what are some of its impacts? 2201. The atmosphere is a combination of gasses, primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen with small amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and many other trace

More information

Human impact on the environment

Human impact on the environment 1 of 36 Boardworks Ltd 2006 2 of 36 Boardworks Ltd 2006 Human impact on the environment 3 of 36 Boardworks Ltd 2006 How does human activity affect the environment? Population growth 4 of 36 Boardworks

More information

M.J. Kaurmann 2001

M.J. Kaurmann 2001 M.J. Kaurmann 2001 Soil Biodiversity: Exploring the World Beneath Your Feet Jeff Battigelli, Ph.D., P.Ag. Organic Alberta February 9-10, 2018. What is soil? Outline What soil properties influence

More information

Estimating the Overall Impact of A Change In Agricultural Practices on Atmospheric CO 2

Estimating the Overall Impact of A Change In Agricultural Practices on Atmospheric CO 2 Estimating the Overall Impact of A Change In Agricultural Practices on Atmospheric CO 2 T.O. West (westto@ornl.gov; 865-574-7322) G. Marland (marlandgh@ornl.gov; 865-241-4850) Environmental Sciences Division,

More information

Normal equatorial flow. Climate Variability. El Niño-Southern Oscillation Human-caused climate change Alternative Energy sources

Normal equatorial flow. Climate Variability. El Niño-Southern Oscillation Human-caused climate change Alternative Energy sources Normal equatorial flow Climate Variability El Niño-Southern Oscillation Human-caused climate change Alternative Energy sources Vertical normal flow ENSO disruption of flow Vertical ENSO flow Normal vs.

More information

Climate change and agriculture. Doreen Stabinsky Greenpeace International

Climate change and agriculture. Doreen Stabinsky Greenpeace International Climate change and agriculture Doreen Stabinsky Greenpeace International June 2009 Cool Farming: major climate impacts of agriculture January 2008 Report Based on IPCC numbers and additional research Sources

More information

Greenhouse Gas 101: An Overview of Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. Kendall Tupker and Kristian Stephens Brown Bagger Session May 5, 2005

Greenhouse Gas 101: An Overview of Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. Kendall Tupker and Kristian Stephens Brown Bagger Session May 5, 2005 Greenhouse Gas 101: An Overview of Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Kendall Tupker and Kristian Stephens Brown Bagger Session May 5, 2005 Overview Introduction Science of Climate Change and GHGs What role

More information

Climate Change Frequently Asked Questions Scrambled Information Source: EPA Climate Change FAQ

Climate Change Frequently Asked Questions Scrambled Information Source: EPA Climate Change FAQ Climate Change Frequently Asked Questions Scrambled Information Source: EPA Climate Change FAQ Instructions: The questions and answers below have been scrambled. Cut the answers and questions apart. Separate

More information

Concept of Organic Farming S S R A N A S R S C I E N T I S T

Concept of Organic Farming S S R A N A S R S C I E N T I S T S S R A N A S R S C I E N T I S T Concept 2 Organic farming endorses the concept that the soil, plant, animals and human beings are linked. In philosophical terms organic farming means farming in sprits

More information

Understanding the role of biochar in site restoration and carbon sequestration

Understanding the role of biochar in site restoration and carbon sequestration Understanding the role of biochar in site restoration and carbon sequestration Deborah S. Page-Dumroese USDA Forest Service-Rocky Mountain Research Station ddumroese@fs.fed.us Overview Dead trees and slash

More information

6-2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Slide 1 of 42

6-2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Slide 1 of 42 6-2 Renewable and Nonrenewable 1 of 42 Classifying Classifying Environmental goods and services may be classified as either renewable or nonrenewable. Renewable resources can regenerate if they are alive,

More information

Role of Soils in Water Quality. Mike Marshall Extension Associate Texas A&M-Institute of Renewable Natural Resources

Role of Soils in Water Quality. Mike Marshall Extension Associate Texas A&M-Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Role of Soils in Water Quality Mike Marshall Extension Associate Texas A&M-Institute of Renewable Natural Resources Water Quality in Texas Water is a finite resource that can be impaired by pollution from

More information

Introduction to Ecology p

Introduction to Ecology p Introduction to Ecology 19-1 p. 359-365 Essential Question 1. Identify three ways in which the expanding human population impacts the environment. 2. Describe the hierarchical levels of organization in

More information

The archived presentation is available at: 1

The archived presentation is available at:   1 Clearing the Air: Livestock s Contributions to Climate Change Frank Mitloehner, PhD Associate Professor & CE Specialist Department of Animal Science University of California, Davis 1 GHG & GWP Global Warming

More information

BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE INTO OUR AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM. Jeremy Emmi, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE INTO OUR AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM. Jeremy Emmi, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE INTO OUR AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM Jeremy Emmi, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Climate change may bring a tendency to adapt by moving farming northward The northern edge

More information

Nutrient Cycling & Soils

Nutrient Cycling & Soils Nutrient Cycling & Soils tutorial by Paul Rich Outline 1. Nutrient Cycles What are nutrient cycles? major cycles 2. Water Cycle 3. Carbon Cycle 4. Nitrogen Cycle 5. Phosphorus Cycle 6. Sulfur Cycle 7.

More information

CARBON, GREENHOUSE GASES, AND HOW WE MEASURE THEM

CARBON, GREENHOUSE GASES, AND HOW WE MEASURE THEM CARBON, GREENHOUSE GASES, AND HOW WE MEASURE THEM Mila Bristow ENV1 Lecture 215 Mila.Bristow@nt.gov.au http://www.nt.gov.au/d/primary_industry/index.cfm?header=action%2on%2the%2ground Quiz 1. What are

More information

Global Warming. By William K. Tong. Adjunct Faculty, Earth Science Oakton Community College

Global Warming. By William K. Tong. Adjunct Faculty, Earth Science Oakton Community College Global Warming By William K. Tong Adjunct Faculty, Earth Science Oakton Community College What Is Global Warming? According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen

More information

Sustainable Conservation Practices for Natural Resources

Sustainable Conservation Practices for Natural Resources Sustainable Conservation Practices for Natural Resources Rajdeep Mundiyara 1, Prem Kumar 2 and Mamta Bajya 3 1 Seed Officer, Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation,Mandore, Jodhpure 2 Department of Plant Philology,

More information

The Impact of Demands for Energy and Environmental Services on Kansas Agriculture

The Impact of Demands for Energy and Environmental Services on Kansas Agriculture The Impact of Demands for Energy and Environmental Services on Kansas Agriculture Charles W. Rice Department of Agronomy K-State Research and Extension Temperature Annual DJF JJA IPCC, 2007 2007 1 Precipitation

More information

Climate Change Policy

Climate Change Policy Climate Change Policy The Canadian Federation of Agriculture 2018 Climate Change Primary agriculture is responsible for approximately 8% of Canada s greenhouse gas emissions. However, while emissions from

More information