 |
|
Compost can turn agricultural soils into a carbon sink, thus protecting against climate change
February 25, 2008Applying organic fertilizers, such as those resulting from composting, to agricultural land could increase the amount of carbon stored in these soils and contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, according to new research published in a special issue of Waste Management & Research (Special issue published today by SAGE).
Carbon sequestration in soil has been recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the European Commission as one of the possible measures through which greenhouse gas emissions can be mitigated.
One estimate of the potential value of this approach - which assumed that 20% of the surface of agricultural land in the EU could be used as a sink for carbon - suggested it could constitute about 8.6% of the total EU emission-reduction objective.
"An increase of just 0.15% in organic carbon in arable soils in a country like Italy would effectively imply the sequestration of the same amount of carbon within soil that is currently released into the atmosphere in a period of one year through the use of fossil fuels," write Enzo Favoino and Dominic Hogg, authors of the paper.
"Furthermore, increasing organic matter in soils may cause other greenhouse gas-saving effects, such as improved workability of soils, better water retention, less production and use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, and reduced release of nitrous oxide."
However, capitalizing on this potential climate-change mitigation measure is not a simple task. The issue is complicated by the fact that industrial farming techniques mean agriculture is actually depleting carbon from soil, thus reducing its capacity to act as a carbon sink.
According to Hogg and Favoino, this loss of carbon sink capacity is not permanent. Composting can contribute in a positive way to the twin objectives of restoring soil quality and sequestering carbon in soils. Applications of organic matter (in the form of organic fertilizers) can lead either to a build-up of soil organic carbon over time, or a reduction in the rate at which organic matter is depleted from soils. In either case, the overall quantity of organic matter in soils will be higher than using no organic fertilizer.
"What organic fertilizers can do is reverse the decline in soil organic matter that has occurred in relatively recent decades by contributing to the build-up in the stable organic fraction in soils, and having the effect, in any given year, of ensuring that more carbon is held within the soil," they explain.
But calculating the value of this technique to climate change policies is complicated. To refine previous calculations and to take account of the positive and negative dynamics of carbon storage in soil, Favoino and Hogg modelled the dynamics of compost application and build-up balancing this with mineralization and loss through tillage.
Their results suggest that soils where manure was added have soil organic carbon levels 1.34% higher than un-amended soils, and 1.13% higher than soils amended with chemical fertilizers, over a 50-year period. "This is clearly significant given the evaluations reported above regarding carbon being lost from soils, and the increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," they say.
SAGE Publications UK
"An increase of just 0.15% in organic carbon in arable soils in a country like Italy would effectively imply the sequestration of the same amount of carbon within soil that is currently released into the atmosphere in a period of one year through the use of fossil fuels," write Enzo Favoino and Dominic Hogg, authors of the paper.
"Furthermore, increasing organic matter in soils may cause other greenhouse gas-saving effects, such as improved workability of soils, better water retention, less production and use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, and reduced release of nitrous oxide."
However, capitalizing on this potential climate-change mitigation measure is not a simple task. The issue is complicated by the fact that industrial farming techniques mean agriculture is actually depleting carbon from soil, thus reducing its capacity to act as a carbon sink.
According to Hogg and Favoino, this loss of carbon sink capacity is not permanent. Composting can contribute in a positive way to the twin objectives of restoring soil quality and sequestering carbon in soils. Applications of organic matter (in the form of organic fertilizers) can lead either to a build-up of soil organic carbon over time, or a reduction in the rate at which organic matter is depleted from soils. In either case, the overall quantity of organic matter in soils will be higher than using no organic fertilizer.
"What organic fertilizers can do is reverse the decline in soil organic matter that has occurred in relatively recent decades by contributing to the build-up in the stable organic fraction in soils, and having the effect, in any given year, of ensuring that more carbon is held within the soil," they explain.
But calculating the value of this technique to climate change policies is complicated. To refine previous calculations and to take account of the positive and negative dynamics of carbon storage in soil, Favoino and Hogg modelled the dynamics of compost application and build-up balancing this with mineralization and loss through tillage.
Their results suggest that soils where manure was added have soil organic carbon levels 1.34% higher than un-amended soils, and 1.13% higher than soils amended with chemical fertilizers, over a 50-year period. "This is clearly significant given the evaluations reported above regarding carbon being lost from soils, and the increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," they say.
SAGE Publications UK
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Current Events and Greenhouse Gas Emissions News RSSResearchers Hail Innovative Plan to Save Rainforest, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
An innovative proposal by the Ecuadorian government to protect an untouched, oil rich region of Amazon rainforest is a precedent-setting and potentially economically viable approach, says a team of environmental researchers from the University of Maryland, the World Resources Institute and Save America's Forests.
Report on US-China collaboration on carbon capture and sequestration
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Julio Friedmann, in collaboration with the Center for American Progress, the Asia Society Center and with partner Monitor Group, today released the report, "A Roadmap for U.S.-China Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Sequestration."
Study gives clearer picture of how land-use changes affect U.S. climate
Researchers say regional surface temperatures can be affected by land use, suggesting that local and regional strategies, such as creating green spaces and buffer zones in and around urban areas, could be a tool in addressing climate change.
North America automobile sector bottom of 'world sustainability league'
The study, entitled Sustainable Value in Automobile Manufacturing, looks at the sustainability performance of 17 leading car manufacturers worldwide between 1999 and 2007.
Plugging into an electric vehicle revolution
A road trial of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which could one day end up in every Australian driveway, is underway.
Simple measures can yield big greenhouse gas cuts, scientists say
New technologies and policies that save energy, remove atmospheric carbon and limit greenhouse gas emissions are needed to fight global climate change - but face daunting technological, economic and political hurdles, a Michigan State University scientist said.
Miscounting bioenergy benefits may increase greenhouse gas release
A fixable error in the way carbon is counted in current U.S. climate legislation and in the Kyoto Protocol could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using biofuels, says a premier group of national environmental and land use scientists.
Arctic lake sediments show warming, unique ecological changes in recent decades
An analysis of sediment cores indicates that biological and chemical changes occurring at a remote Arctic lake are unprecedented over the past 200,000 years and likely are the result of human-caused climate change, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Report examines hidden costs of energy production and use
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them.
First global scientific conference supporting UN efforts to curb desertification opens in Argentina
As climate change negotiators continue to skirt the role of agricultural land use in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, top scientists working on land management in the world's vast dry areas will gather this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina, determined to make the case that thwarting desertification in drylands is viable and also critical to the success of a new climate deal.
More Greenhouse Gas Emissions Current Events and Greenhouse Gas Emissions News Articles
 |
The Corporate Greenhouse: Climate Change Policy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Yda Schreuder (Author) This timely book addresses the political economy of climate change. The author questions the disconnect between the current nation-state based negotiation framework and the forces in the global economy that: are driven by neo-liberal policies, organized around transnational corporations or international production networks and, refute effective climate change policy. With the emergence on the world economic and carbon scene of China and India and several other developing economies, the debate on "who is to blame, and who is to pay" can no longer be ignored. Carefully researched and sourced from original work and case studies, The Corporate Greenhouse argues that failing to account in climate change treaties for the activities of transnational corporations will hinder solutions to... |
 |
State of Resolve Also With: PBS (Producer) |
 |
2008 Global Conference: Lessons from California: Clean Tech and Energy Innovation California often blazes new trails for the rest of nation, especially when it comes to progressive environmental policies and energy efficiency. The state has established the world's most stringent energy standards for buildings and appliances, launched a "million solar roofs" initiative and set a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions. A panel of distinguished Californians -- including former governors Jerry Brown and Gray Davis -- gathered at the 2008 Milken Institute Global Conference to discuss the state's efforts in clean technology and energy innovation. How did California become so energy-efficient? What are the lessons for other states and countries? Could California and the Southwest become the "Saudi Arabia of Solar"? This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R... |
|
Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Ministry Econ Dvlp/% H Dang | |
 |
Tropical Agriculture in Transition - Opportunities for Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions? by Reiner Wassmann (Editor), Paul L.G. Vlek (Editor) Production from tropical agricultural systems will need to increase to satisfy the rising food demand of an increasing population coupled with changes in consumption patterns. At the same time, the agricultural sector is a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHG) in many developing countries, which can be attributed mainly to land-use change and methane emissions from rice and livestock. But how can we reconcile less GHG emissions from tropical agricultural systems while increasing productivity? Due to the interactive nature of these issues, this book is compiled of articles on natural resource management, as well as the socio-economic aspects of GHG mitigation. The scope of mitigation options in tropical agriculture is discussed for three different activities: (a)... |
 |
21st Century Essential Guide to Methane and Biogas: Landfill Methane and Manure for Energy, AgStar Program, Recovery and Mitigation, Greenhouse Gas Emissions ... Biofuels, Bioenergy, and Biobased Products by World Spaceflight News (Author) This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM contains a great collection of documents and publications from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on methane and biogas, greenhouse gas emissions and sources, and related topics, including the AgStar Program, the use of agricultural material and manure for methane and biogas production, methane recovery and emission mitigation, carbon cycle science, black carbon, carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry. This is part of our comprehensive series of discs and ringbound documents on renewable energy, biofuels, bioenergy, and biobased products. This incredible CD-ROM has nearly 9,000 pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software - allowing direct... |
 |
The New Business Climate: A Guide to Lower Carbon Emissions and Better Business Performance by Rocky Mountain Institute Using The New Business Climate as a guide, businesses can gain competitive advantage, manage risks, and increase profitability by choosing a proactive carbon emissions reduction strategy. |
 |
Solar Electric Power Generation - Photovoltaic Energy Systems: Modeling of Optical and Thermal Performance, Electrical Yield, Energy Balance, Effect on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Stefan C.W. Krauter (Author), Franz Alt (Foreword), Hermann Scheer (Foreword) Solar electricity is a viable, environmentally sustainable alternative to the world's energy supplies. In support, Dr. Krauter thoroughly examines the various technical parameters of photovoltaic systems. Study of performance and yield (including optical, thermal, and electrical parameters and interfaces) are analyzed. The net energy balance of photovoltaic systems -- from production, operation and maintenance, to recycling -- is explored. Professor Krauter demonstrates how the importance of accurate yield calculations, optimal system performance, and new prototypes aid in cost reductions. The potential of solar electric power generation as a means to significantly reduce CO2 emissions is also detailed. In addition, various locations for the production and installation of photovoltaic... |
 |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Global Business Aspects by Michael See (Author) Addresses climate change and describes the remedial strategies for developing countries based on the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. The effects of other major atmospheric, land and water pollutants from industries and domestic sources are also covered. |
 |
Cool Companies: How the Best Businesses Boost Profits and Productivity by Cutting Greenhouse-Gas Emissions by Joseph J. Romm (Author) Despite ongoing negotiations, consensus has not yet been reached on what action will be taken to combat global warming. A number of companies have looked beyond the current stalemate to see the prospect of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions not as a roadblock to growth and innovation but as a unique opportunity to increase profits and productivity. These "cool" companies understand the strategic importance of reducing heat-trapping emissions and have worked to cut their emissions by fifty percent or more. In the process, they have not only reduced their energy bill, but have increased their productivity, sometimes dramatically. In Cool Companies, energy expert Joseph Romm describes the experiences of these remarkable firms, as he presents more than fifty case studies in which bottom... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |