Energy and Agriculture: Key Factors to Methane Emission 

By Okoko Chidozie Christian

chidochrisozonegold@yahoo.com; 09025179984.

Methane as the main ingredient in natural gas production is a major source of global emission alongside agriculture and waste management.

Targeting fossil fuels, waste and agriculture can bring a significant reduction in the overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Agriculture being the predominant source of methane, livestock emission from manure and gastro enteric release accounts for roughly 32% of human–caused emissions.

Though, agricultural methane does not only come from animals, also paddy rice cultivation–where flooded fields prevents oxygen from being penetrated into the soil, creates ideal conditions for methane, thus emits bacteria which accounts for another 8% of human-linked emissions, study reveals.

A big deal about methane is that: as a primary contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone-a hazardous air pollutant and greenhouse gas, exposes about 1 million premature people to death. Also, about 80 times more potent at warming the earth than carbon-dioxide, CO2.

Methane has accounted for roughly 30% of global warming since the pre-industrial times, and it is proliferating faster than at any other time since record keeping began in the 1800s. According to data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, even as carbon-dioxide emission decelerated during the pandemic-related lockdown of the COVID-19 in the year 2020, atmospheric methane shifted up.

Recently, on how to reduce methane emission, James Lomax, adviser to UNEP Food Systems and Agriculture says “the world needs to begin by rethinking our approaches to agricultural cultivation and livestock production”. That will include: leveraging new technology shifting towards plant-rich diets and embracing alternative sources of protein.

Carbon-dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years. This means that even if emissions were immediately and dramatically reduced, it would not have an effect in the climate until later in the century. But, it takes only about a decade for methane to breakdown. So, reducing methane emissions would have an impact on the near-future, and it is critical to help keep the world on a path to 1.50C. Also, it will be a way out if humanity is to slash greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 1.50C – a target by the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Looking at the farmer’s corner, farmers can provide animals with more nutritious feed for large and healthier productivity. Research gathered that scientists are experimenting with alternative types of feed to reduce the methane production by cows, and looking at ways to manage manure efficiently by using it to produce biogas-(a gas with high methane content).

However, when it comes to staple crops like paddy rice, experts recommend alternative wetting and drying approach that could reduce emissions rather than allowing the continuous flooding of fields. For example, paddy rice cultivation could be irrigated or drained two or three times throughout the growing season, thereby limiting methane production without impacting yield. That process will also require 1/3 less water, making it more economical.

Human-caused methane emissions could be replaced by as much as 45% within the decade. This would also improve health, and avert nearly 0.30C of global warming by 2045 helping to limit global temperature rise to 1.50C, and putting the planet on track to achieve the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Subsequently, the yearly reduction of ground–level ozone would also prevent 260,000 asthma–related hospital visits, 73billion hours of labour from extreme heat, and 25million tons of crop losses.

Moreover, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres convened the UN Food System Summit in September, 2012 which aimed at helping farmers and food production more environmentally friendly. Hence, the UN’s Joint Work on Agriculture is supporting transformation of agricultural and food systems, focusing on how to maintain productivity amidst a changing climate.

According to Mark Brownstein, Senior Vice President of Environmental Defense Fund “reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry is the fastest way to slow the rate of global warming that we feel today”. Cutting methane can also slow warming right now, but scientists explains that if there is success in a rapid, full-scale effort, then there is a chance to actually experience the benefit fast in our lifetime.

The International body through research and advocacy are drawing actions to cut methane pollutions from the energy and agricultural sectors for over a decade, and are building a Methane-Tracking Satellite to help scale reduction by at least 30% by 2030. September 7th every year has been isolated for the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. This day aimed at raising awareness and facilitating actions to improve air quality.

It is a global call to find new ways of doing things to reduce the amount of air pollution we cause; and ensure that everyone, everywhere can enjoy their right to breathe clean air.